Memory Album

(I apologize in advance...Blogger is having that paragraph problem again!!)

Cliff was in the Navy when I first met him. He aspired to see the world and retire from the Navy but his plans didn't include meeting a girl in NY and falling in love. He did, however, serve his country for 4 years.

Cliff worked on the gun mounts as a Gunner's Mate when he was on the ship, the U.S.S. Voge. Later, when he was assigned to shore duty, he worked in the weapons division at the Naval yards in Mayport in Jacksonville, FL. He enjoyed his time aboard ship and working with the guns. In fact, every July 4, he loves to shoot off large fireworks as it reminds him of those days!

Several years ago, I gathered up all of his Navy memorabilia and put it all into a scrapbook. It's one of my favorites (actually they're all my favorite!)

These days are so precious to me. I saved all the letters we wrote (several years before cell phones). Most of our dating took place long distance between Jacksonville, FL and Long Island, NY. When we were first married, he had 6 months left of shore duty. I quickly learned about getting uniforms dry-cleaned and creased just right, poslishing shoes, dress uniforms for military funerals, shopping at the commisary, and the post. It was a whole new world for me and one I was so glad to enter!!

This picture was taken almost 1 month after we met. Do we ever look young...and in love!!!! (The doll in the picture is a whole other story)