We all have regrets. Fortunately for the Naval Institute, mine has remained with me for many years. I say this because, were it not the case, I might not be supporting the Institute through charitable giving.
Back in the 1940s, my mother had to sign a waiver to allow my brother Len, who was underage, to enlist in the Navy. (I called him Bubby my whole life because, as a child, I couldn’t say “brother.”) Whenever Bubby arrived home between tours of duty, my parents and I would meet him at the Boston Navy Yard, and even at age four or five, I was in awe. I would wear his white sailor hat (Dixie cup) as proud as can be. I never forgot that. To this day, whenever I see someone in uniform, I stop, shake their hand, and thank them for their service.
Fast forward to the early 1960s and the Vietnam War. I had graduated high school and was working in downtown Boston. Six of us ladies were having lunch when the subject of quitting our jobs and joining the Army came up. I was a big “NO, it’s gotta be the Navy.” Sadly, we never joined either service—thus, My Biggest Regret. I should have enlisted in the Navy and let them go to that other service.
Years later, I volunteered and regularly sang musical comedy at the St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens for sick and wounded servicemen who had returned from Vietnam.
Giving to the Naval Institute is another means of handling my regret for not having served my country. I have arranged with my bank to mail a donation directly to the Naval Institute Foundation every month. I chuckle now every time I click “send,” knowing I am doing some good for something I would have loved close up but now can only appreciate from afar. (And I can do it for far longer than I probably would have enlisted for—maybe!)
I moved on to New York City, became a licensed veterinary technician, and in 1982, became an emergency medical technician (EMT). I also was an agent for the New Jersey SPCA, which was a satisfying extension of my lifelong love of animals. I rescued and took in Roger, a horse who was headed for the butcher. With the help of a young friend who took him to 4H shows, Roger finished his “career” in 1981 as the Bergen County Overall Champion.
While serving as an EMT, I was in a bad ambulance accident and had to switch professions. In 1992, I became a paramedic, ultimately retiring in 2016. It was a great job—but it always occurred to me that it was something I also could have done in the Navy.
I was one of 50 paramedics from my hospital asked to go to New York City after 9/11. After all my years in emergency medical services, I thought I had seen everything—how wrong I was. It was a devastating sight that stopped us in our tracks. I commuted every other day and, by the end of December, had logged 500 hours. I knew I was sick—the air was highly polluted—and to this day, I’m still being treated. But I do not have a single regret about going.
My philosophy is, if a problem can be fixed, do it; if not, don’t dwell on it. My hubby passed away three years ago from Alzheimer’s. It was a seven-year journey, but practically every morning, while he still could, we would sing together, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.” If nothing else, he tried and smiled—and so did I. It was traumatic when he passed, but I was with him the whole way.
I don’t dwell on the negative—it’s a waste of time. That is why my support of the Naval Institute helps me as much as it, hopefully, helps others. There is a long list of nicknames for sailors—but I’m just going to call you “The Best.” Stay well. Stay safe.
Advancing the Next Generation of Naval Leaders
Here’s an update on sponsored Naval Institute membership for Sea Service midshipmen and cadets, since program inception:
• NROTC Units: 43 of 63 sponsored
• U.S. Naval Academy Companies: 27 of 30 sponsored
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy Companies: 8 of 8 sponsored
For more information or to sponsor midshipmen at your alma mater, please visit www.usni.org/donate-student-memberships or contact Heather Lancaster at (410) 295-1048 or [email protected].