Mission Journal 4 — Roger Garcia: Mission Day 3: Sunday, December 11th, 2005
I suppose I should be writing about Day–2 since Day–2 was certainly a respectable day for this team of Navy Divers. As I’ve said, “Give credit where credit is due”. This team lead by HTC(DSW) Terry Pace, worked hard, accomplished all assigned task’s and collectively put in roughly 1,520 minutes of dive time for Day–2.
BRAVO ZULU
I will not go into any detail regarding their work because I feel this entry, at least for the moment, should briefly shadow Day–2. At O–Dark Thirty I received a phone call from a saturation diving icon, Bob Barth. Remember that name… Bob Barth. Bob is a former US Navy saturation diver and pioneer from the US Navy’s Sea Lab I, II and Sea Lab III program legacy. Thanks for the phone call Bob.
Today I also was witness to a diver circling Aquarius with a large American flag. As the diver swam by our view port, the flag waved as water flowed across the stars and stripes. A picture was taken of that diver swimming with the American flag waiving proudly. That diver was HTC(DSW) Glen Rubin. Glen, who is a friend I dove with while I was active duty Navy, will be retiring soon, retiring from a 26 year Naval career, which I’m sure he’s very proud of. The picture will be presented at his upcoming retirement ceremony with a plaque, the picture nicely framed. This picture of Glen with the American flag, set against Aquarius as a background, will serve two purposes in my opinion. One is to remind Glen of his illustrious Naval career as a Navy Deep Sea Diver and friend of Aquarius, as well as it’s staff and crew. Two, to remind me, and hopefully the rest of the Aquarius staff and crew, that a loyal friend felt it important enough to him, to fly his retirement flag “amidships” Aquarius, America’s Inner Space Station.
Today I write about Bob Barth and Glen Rubin, two heroes respectively. Gentlemen, this is from me… A retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer and former Navy Deep Sea Diver like the both of you. I would like to personally thank you both for your dedicated Naval service and personal sacrifices that we share. I personally salute you and your families.
I want to close with these final words. With all that is going on in the world today, and despite our little imperfections, be proud to be an American! The next time you see or speak with a member of America’s armed forces, take the time to thank them for their dedicated and selfless service to this great country.