Island Adventure

Island Adventure

NSGA Hanza, Okinawa was my first duty station, and even after serving twenty years, I believe it was one of the best.  The many friends I made there will never be forgotten, though some of the experiences probably should be.

Two friends there, Randy Ridgeway and Tom Maguire, were nearly inseparable.  They were always doing crazy things that came close to getting them hurt if not killed. 

One day they decided to go hiking in one of the jungle areas.  They were walking along when Randy saw a habu hanging from a limb above Tom.  He suddenly stopped, turned white, and stammered habba, habba, habba. 

Tom took off running as fast as he could, with Randy on his heels.  Finally they both stopped, exhausted.  Randy looked at Tom and panted, "Thank God, you understood!"

Tom panted back "I didn't understand anything.  Whatever had you that scared, I didn't want any part of. "

Another time a storm with a tidal wave was coming in.  They decided it was a once in a lifetime photographic opportunity.  They went to the cliffs over looking the ocean to get a picture of the incoming tidal wave.

As Randy was clicking away, Tom was shaking his shoulder, saying "Randy, we should go!  Randy, come on." 

Randy kept taking pictures until the viewfinder was nothing but an image of the wave.  He lowered the camera, and saw the huge wave towering over them and making land fast.  He dropped the camera and they turned and ran.  They made several yards when the wave crashed into the cliff.

The incoming water knocked them down and surrounded them.  As the receding water began pulling them to the edge of the cliff, they grabbed bushes and held on tight.

After the water drained away, they picked themselves up, and went back to their car.  They never attempted to film another tidal wave.