[WVKayaker]

I was on the USS Perkins (DD-877), a WW2 era Destroyer, from 66-68 (3 WesPac cruises). I was a Fire Control Technician (aiming guns, not putting out fires). We had a Mark 1A computer, which linked to the gun turrets with synchros and servos. The gyro was in our space (that shiny chrome thing on the left of the photo), that leveled everything and kept a constant aim for the guns no matter how the roll and pitch on the ship. That computer never failed to amaze me with the accuracy and reliability. It was a mass of cams, gears, rollers, and other electrical connections directing impulses translated by the mechanics.

i have an iPad 1 which probably has millions more in computing power. But, we know that men went the moon on rockets designed and aimed with slide rules. Voyager (launched 1977) passed by every planet before escaping our solar system.

It's all magic. I know the science of it all, but it took some pretty smart people to imagine and assemble something as simple as a slide rule. That Mark 1A computer I used circa 1966-68 was more than Archimedes or Leonardo could cream. Now, we have the world at our fingertips and every bit of information imaginable available to our minds. BUT, I don't expect it all to continue forever.

We have a world falling apart, and society on the edge. I am a Christian and just close with "Come quickly, Lord Jesus"!

[longhorn too]

I was on the DD-808 USS Dennis J Buckley 1971-72 and remember those endless days on the gun line of Vietnam. Was even able to sleep through fire missions when we weren’t on GQ.

[Mike Darancette]

I was in FT A and FT B schools Mare Island 1968-1969 then went FTM with search radars. You flunk out and it is GM on a PBR for you.