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From: Patty Schneider-Kelso
Date: 12 Aug 2007
Time: 17:04:18 -0500
PNC Alexander (Chief Al), was my first Navy "boss" who made a huge impact on my life. I learned many things from Chief Al and it was because of him that I was able to go to the Philippines while the SPEAR was in Diego Garcia. I never got the chance to thank him or tell him what he meant to that young 19 y/o girl away from home for the first time. I had tried to find him through the internet with no luck. After a while if figured he must have passed away, since he "seemed" old back in 1980. So, I gave up looking for him. I'm heartsick now that I didn't try harder, didn't call all the "E. Alexanders" in the phone book. To find out that he was alive all this time only to miss letting him know how he shaped my life... it's tearing me up. I know there were times in the Personnel Office when I could make that crusty old salt smile, or he would try to hide his laughter when I would say silly "boot" things (like the first time I heard "L. Y. Spear, departing." and asked him "Are we going to sea?"). And during our Shellback initiation, as I crawled up to the Royal Dentist station, he saw me, got this smile on his face and said "Schneider! Have a seat in my dentist chair!" So please, if there was that Chief, or that special person in your life that you never got to say "Thanks. You made a difference in my life.", do your best to find them and tell them before it's too late. Thank you, Chief Al, for everything!