Wally, Marlynn and Susan - Janet and I are thinking of your loss. It’s hard for me to lose a friend like your dad. But, Janet and I want your whole family to know you are all in our prayers we always thought of the loss your mother “Bea” and now maybe they will be together again.
Walt & I have known each other for sixty (60) years. We met in Detroit, 1956 waiting for a train to Great Lakes Naval Station on our way to boot camp. It worked out that we were always next to one another. The Navy would always line us up an alphabetical order by the last name - so, Mann and then Marks that way we were always lined up front to back or side by side. After boot camp we were both ordered to the USS HORNET CVA 12 Aircraft Carrier.
We of course traveled to Hawaii and several other countries. We did a lot of sight-seeing together. Walt was in the Steam Heat gang and I was in the Ice machines (refrigeration) gang. We were stationed in San Diego during the summer and Yokosuka japan in the winter. After working hours the steam heat working space was the place I spent most of the time, it was located in an easy spot to get to. Walt played guitar and I played the harmonica. A couple other guys came with a guitar, mandolin player and a banjo joined at times. It was a fun place with shipmates, friends, hot coffee and music.
Tom & Janet Mann
