During the mid 60's on board the Atule, there was an EM1(SS) named Shirley Durbin. He was my first "supervisor". I was only 18 and thought I knew everything. PO1 Durbin quickly became the "butt" of my jokes due to his first name. Durbin showed very little concern. As time went on this lack of interest with my jokes became a little bothersome. 

One of my witty remarks, other than about his first name, concerned Durbin's age. He was almost 30 years old, to an 18-year-old that was almost ancient. Calling on all my advanced years of experience, I would blurt such remarks as "you're old enough to be my father." After several weeks of enduring my "humorous" remarks, PO1 Durbin taught me a lesson that would normally have come with age. 

I, again, tried to provoke him. "You're old enough to me father." Durbin's response has stayed with me ever since. "Is your mother's first name Mildred?" "Were you born in Wheeling, West Virginia on April 28?" "Did you go to school in Kent, Ohio?" "I called Millie last night and I just might be your father." He calmly turned and walked away. It took me months to "figure out" how he knew all my "info". 

Needless to say I never again harassed anyone about his or her age. LESSON LEARNED………Note: PO1 Durbin was the most knowledgeable electrician, to date, that I have met. He was very instrumental in my SS qualification endeavors. Thank You Mr. Shirley Durbin.

Gary Walker EM2(SS)