Shots Across the Bow
A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES
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Each of us has done his share of foolish things. We have all put ourselves in positions from which graceful escape is impossible, and from which extrication is painful, embarrassing or both. With luck, many of those gaffes have been kept from the notice of friends and acquaintances. But, they remain forever indelibly emblazoned in our memories only to return at random times to remind us to be humble. In the last few months, the usual reverie of our evening Jacuzzi/chimenea sessions has been interrupted by troubling recollections of how many near misses and close shaves we experienced throughout our years. We are uncertain whether this unusual phenomenon is related to the approach of our senior years or whether there is another psychological reason. It has happened with such regularity that we decided to assemble some of these recollections in chronological order, grouping them around our childhood, time in Service to our Country, and other pursuits. Many of these stories are humorous. But, many things are funnier in retrospect than they seemed to be at the moment they occurred. So we decided to put these stories into a permanent binding and leave it on the coffee table for those moments when we think we need either to be amused or to be taken down a notch or two. After we had reviewed the results of our efforts we came separately, to the same curious conclusion: the Good Lord had put us on this earth for a reason. Both of us could, and should have, succumbed to the combined effects of our own stupidity and the harrowing circumstances into which we had repeatedly allowed ourselves to be led. Did the Good Lord have a purpose in keeping us alive…again and again? As we approach the winter season of our lives, we wondered what, in heaven’s name did He have in mind? Surely, neither of us was going to find a cure for cancer. What then? Perhaps the readers can solve the conundrum for us.
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About the Book
Brothers, Robert and Paul Gillcrist have collaborated, again, to produce a series of true vignettes drawn from their colorful careers. However, in some cases the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Bob a U.S. Marine, served on the aircraft carrier, Wasp, home-ported at the Boston Navy Yard, from 1957 until 1958.
His tour of duty on Wasp was followed by his discharge and return to complete his college education. There was an interim escapade in which Bob went to Castro’s Cuba, and on to fight forest fires in Alaska, then to acquire his civil engineering degree. Following that Bob accepted a contract to work in South Vietnam.
After Viet Nam, Bob spent his career in construction in New York City. His affinity for sailing included sailing the east coast and Caribbean.
Paul’s 33 year tour of duty as a naval aviator included graduation from the Navy’s test pilot school, testing many of the new breed of strike airplanes which appeared in the 1960s. He commanded a fleet squadron, and then a carrier air wing and finally, commander for all Pacific Fleet fighter and early warning squadrons. He served in Vietnam and completed 167 combat missions for which he was awarded 17 combat decorations.
After retirement he embarked on a second career as an aviation consultant for several defense contractors and ultimately consulted for two movies, three television miniseries and finally spent 12 years as consultant for the television series, JAG.
His most satisfying retirement activity has been teaching creative to 7th and 8th grade students at a local private academy.
About the Author
Autobiography - Robert The author lives on North Shore, where he pursues his quest for the perfect beam reach. He is retired from the construction business. Life’s simple pleasures include beach combing, skeet, fly-fishing, sailing, and writing. The author co-authored Spindrift, published by Schiffer in 1998, and Sailing to Pago Pago in 2005. Paul Gillcrist Biography Author Bio: Born in Chicago, raised in Long Island, NY. Educated in Catholic schools, until entering the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduation, went into aviation training and then into fighter aviation. Thirty-three years later, retired and went into the entertainment industry as a technical consultant and occasional teleplay writer. Enjoying the good life in La Jolla, CA