Tomorrow, Dee Purdy Carcioppolo and I are underway for Bedford VA. I have some mixed emotions. here. Two years ago right about this time of year several ARCHERFISH Shipmates Jim Hathaway, Tony Frabutt, and Michael C. Habina made the trip to Bedford VA. We named it Operation ARCHERFISH. We were on a mission. We were going down to say our final goodbyes to an old Shipmate Pete Manias. We all knew it was the end of the road for Pete. And our whole purpose was to bring a little happiness to him in his final days. We brought a couple of trinkets with us to help Pete bring back some happy memories. Our Operation was very successful. And sadly he passed away just a few days later. But when we left there every one of us knew we had done the right thing. And although we were sad about losing our friend and mentor, we also felt great about doing something nice for a Shipmate. Because that is what Shipmates are about. So I am a little sad about making this trip remembering the memories of that trip. But when we went to see Pete, we also had the great fortune of meeting his wonderful and loving family. His wife Dana Powers Manias, daughters Shauna Manias Saunders and Heather Manias and son-in-law Stuart Saunders. They met us, and welcomed us as part of their family. We have also met and become close friends with Petes brother Angelos Manias. Over the past years we have communicated a lot, and have become family. Not blood family but family brought together by ARCHERFISH and Pete Manias. This trip tomorrow is unlike our last trip. There is no sadness, there is no one sick or dying. We are traveling down there for a celebration. To celebrate and participate in Heathers wedding to a nice young man named Ian that has her heart. So we are looking forward to meeting him. We are excited about the good times ahead that we will share with our friends and wishing Ian and Heather the very best in life at their wedding. Im sure we will have memories of Pete while we are there, and maybe even a Pete Sea Story or two. But this is a good thing. Because as long as we keep his memory alive, Pete continues to live in our hearts and our souls. Its when we let his memory slip for other things that we have truly let him die. So its off to Bedford VA for a great adventure and celebration with our family.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:27:19 +0000
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