Andy Adkins
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Andy Adkins
@azadkinsiii.bsky.social
26 followers 26 following 37 posts
US Navy Veteran, City Firefighter, Engineer, Consultant, Author…
Follow my blog, "A Veteran's Journey." https://www.azadkinsiii.com/blog
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Even though it's been 50 years since I left the Navy, some things I can't forget. A sound, a smell, a song ... sometimes bring back fond memories. "A Veteran's Journey" wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
#AVeteransJourney #LifeIsAJourney #NeverForget
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azadkinsiii.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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I'm writing another book. It's about the men from Alachua County, Florida (my home county) that died while in service during the Vietnam War. This is why it's become an obsession.
#AVeteransJourney #LifeIsAJourney #NeverForget #VietnamWar
azadkinsiii.com/blog/205-its...
#205—It’s Become an Obsession — A Veteran's Journey
While I've written many books in my years, this one about the men from my county who died during the Vietnam War, is the toughest.
azadkinsiii.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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Veterans Day 2025 - It was my honor to serve in the US Navy during the 1970s. At my age, I feel blessed to be able to share my time with others who may be in need. As we honor our veterans today, take a moment to thank them for their service. I know I will.

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Blog #204 - Veterans Day 2025 — A Veteran's Journey
Veterans Day - not to be confused with Memorial Day - is a day to honor all veterans, all over the world. Take a moment to say, "Thank you."
azadkinsiii.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM
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#203—Welcome Aboard!
It's quite an adventure moving from one duty station to another. But when you're about to transfer from a land base to a floating city ... that's a story in itself. Welcome Aboard!
#AVeteransJourney #LifeIsAJourney #NeverForget #USNavy

azadkinsiii.com/blog/203-wel...
#203—Welcome Aboard! — A Veteran's Journey
It's an adventure moving between duty stations. But when you transfer from a land base to a floating city ... that's a story in itself.
azadkinsiii.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:10 PM
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#202—Accidents Happen …
Let me take you back a few years ... to the Western Pacific ... during and after the Vietnam War. "They" say, "the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the most dangerous job in the world." Still ...
azadkinsiii.com/blog/202-acc...
#202—Accidents Happen … — A Veteran's Journey
We'd train all the time during my short Navy "career." But even with all that training, accidents happen. But, the training kicks in.
azadkinsiii.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
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#201—The Journey Continues azadkinsiii.com/blog/201-the...
Do you believe in fate? Or is this just God's way of remaining anonymous? Regardless, for me, life is a journey and I go with the flow.
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #Veterans
#201—The Journey Continues — A Veteran's Journey
Funny how when you get older, you begin to realize things in your life have sort of "fallen into place." No regrets - we keep on, keeping on!
azadkinsiii.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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Navy Friday Funny
It's Friday ... Yahoo! It's Fall ... Yahoo! It's still hot ...
But, here's a Navy Friday Funny that I hope brings a smile to your face to help you launch your weekend. Go Gators!
#AVeteransJourney #LifeIsAJourney #NeverForget
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Navy Friday Funny - The Senior Walmart Greeter — A Veteran's Journey
Each military branch of the United States has its own cultures, language, and traditions. In the Navy, the Chief Petty Officer serves a dual role as both a technical expert and as a leader; emphasis b...
azadkinsiii.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
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How many times in a conversation with one of your youngun's (children, grands, or great-grands) have you said, "Well ... back in my day, we didn't have these things."?

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#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #NeverForget #the70s
#200—If We Had This Back in the 70s ... — A Veteran's Journey
Technology has certainly changed since my time in the Navy, back in the mid-70s. Good or bad? Nothing I can do but use it.
azadkinsiii.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
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#199—You Remember That Time When … azadkinsiii.com/blog/199-you...

It's been almost 50 years since I left the Navy, but there are things ... moments really ... that I can remember like they happened yesterday.
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #usnavyveteran
#199—You Remember That Time When … — A Veteran's Journey
My time in the Navy was only 4 years, but my, what a cornerstone for the rest of my life's journey. I'd do it all over again, too!
azadkinsiii.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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Navy Friday Funny
It's Friday! Yahoo!!! What does that mean to a retiree? Just another day in the week. But I hope this brings a smile to help launch your weekend.
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #NavyFridayFunny

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Navy Friday Funny - The Power of the Almighty Chief Petty Officer — A Veteran's Journey
Each military branch of the United States has its own cultures, language, and traditions. In the Navy, the Chief Petty Officer serves a dual role as both a technical expert and as a leader; emphasis b...
azadkinsiii.com
September 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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"Weight" is not just a physical state ... it's also what's "upstairs," things we've seen, done. There are past events that we can NEVER FORGET. The sunrise rippling across the ocean surface ... the night sky with a million twinkling stars ... and, "other" stuff.
azadkinsiii.com/blog/198-the...
#198—The Weight We Carry — A Veteran's Journey
Veterans carry a weight that others may not see. It could be something they saw, something they did, or someone they lost.
azadkinsiii.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:53 AM
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Navy Friday Funny - The Master Chief and the Seaman azadkinsiii.com/blog/navy-fr...

#AVeteransJourney #LifeIsAJourney #NeverForget #NavyFridayFunny
Navy Friday Funny - The Master Chief and the Seaman — A Veteran's Journey
Each military branch of the United States has its own cultures, language, and traditions. In the Navy, the Chief Petty Officer serves a dual role as both a technical expert and as a leader; emphasis b...
azadkinsiii.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:31 PM
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Navy Friday Funny: The Navy Airdale Master Chief - In My Next Life
It's been a minute... here's a Navy Friday Funny to help launch your weekend. I hope it put's a smile on your face.
An oldie...
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #NavyFridayFunny

azadkinsiii.com/blog/navy-fr...
Navy Friday Funny: The Navy Airdale Master Chief - In My Next Life — A Veteran's Journey
Each military branch of the United States has its own cultures, language, and traditions. In the Navy, the Chief Petty Officer serves a dual role as both a technical expert and as a leader; emphasis b...
azadkinsiii.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
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When I was 18, I made a choice; a few weeks later, I asked myself, "What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?" Turns out ... it was the RIGHT choice for me.
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #usnavyveteran

azadkinsiii.com/blog/197-wha...
#197—What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into? — A Veteran's Journey
Fresh out of high school, I wasn't ready for college. But the Navy? What did I get myself into? I'll tell ya -
azadkinsiii.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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My time in the Navy a cornerstone of my life. I've got a plethora of great memories, and can still recall most of them in detail. I want my grandkids to know what I did during those 4 years in the 70s.

#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #usnavy

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#196—Your Mission … Should You Decide to Accept it — A Veteran's Journey
The memories keep popping up. Write them down; soon, you'll have enough for a memoir or, better yet, a book.
azadkinsiii.com
July 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
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#195—A Child of the Sixties azadkinsiii.com/blog/195-a-c...
As a Baby Boomer, I've seen a lot of changes during my life. My time in the Navy during the 70s amplified much of what I experienced in those younger years. My how time flies...
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #achildofthe60s
#195—A Child of the Sixties — A Veteran's Journey
Born in the 50s, child of the 60s, Navy in the 70s, family & career - what a journey. More to come and more to do. I'm on a roll!
azadkinsiii.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:41 AM
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Even though I left the Navy nearly 50 years ago, I still remember the excitement of going home on leave. I also remember that "itch" to return to my duty station.
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget

#194—Taking “Leave” azadkinsiii.com/blog/194-tak...
#194—Taking “Leave” — A Veteran's Journey
Taking leave of absence between duty stations was something I looked forward to. But I also had an "itch" to return to the next duty station.
azadkinsiii.com
June 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
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D-Day: No Better Place to Die
It seemed appropriate to repost this story about Becky's dad, Dr. Rufus K. Broadaway and his jump into Normandy with the 82d Airborne.
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#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #DDay
Blog #193 - D-Day: No Better Place to Die — A Veteran's Journey
D-Day: June 6, 1944 - 81 years ago. There aren't many WWII veterans left, but we remember them. So many fathers, grandfathers, brothers.
azadkinsiii.com
June 6, 2025 at 11:42 AM
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You Won’t Hear These Terms in Other Branches of the Service

It doesn't matter if you're Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. We each have our own unique "language." A few you'll hear in the Navy.

#AVeteransJourney #neverforget #lifeisajourney #NavyTerms
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#192—You Won’t Hear These Terms in Other Branches of the Service — A Veteran's Journey
The military has many terms & phrases; some are shared with other branches. But these... these are Navy-related terms.
azadkinsiii.com
June 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM
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Each year on Memorial Day, I find myself spending more time reflecting on the sacrifices our men and women made over the years so we can appreciate and enjoy our freedoms. This year is no exception...

#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #MemorialDay
azadkinsiii.com/blog/191-mem...
#191—Memorial Day 2025… Never Forget — A Veteran's Journey
Memorial Day is a somber day to many veterans, this one included. We remember those who didn't make it back.
azadkinsiii.com
May 23, 2025 at 11:55 AM
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#190—Westpac ’75: Heading Home
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After a 6-month Westpac, we left PI, heading back to San Diego. Even though I loved the idea of visiting new countries (I still do), coming home to the US was a great feeling.

#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #Westpac
#190—Westpac ’75: Heading Home — A Veteran's Journey
After 6 months at sea on a Westpac cruise, Kitty Hawk heads home to San Diego. My one and only Westpac, but what a memorable one.
azadkinsiii.com
April 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
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#189—Westpac ’75: It’s Not Just a Job… azadkinsiii.com/blog/189-wes...
While we all enjoyed liberty in ports like the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan, getting back to sea... to the flight deck was where I belonged. It's not just a job...

#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #NeverForget #Westpac
#189—Westpac ’75: It’s Not Just a Job… — A Veteran's Journey
While we all enjoyed liberty in ports like the Philippines, Hong Kong, & Japan, getting back to sea... to the flight deck was where I belong.
azadkinsiii.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
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#188—Westpac ’75: PI Liberty Call azadkinsiii.com/blog/188-wes...

June 1975 - Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippines, our overseas forward deployment base for the next few months. My first liberty after being at sea for two weeks. What do do?

#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #Westpac
#188—Westpac ’75: PI Liberty Call — A Veteran's Journey
Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I’m writing a multi-part series of articles about a US Navy cruise in the Pacific, commonly known as a “Westpac.” I made one Westpac in 1975. It made quite an impressi...
azadkinsiii.com
March 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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#187—Westpac ’75: Transit to PI azadkinsiii.com/blog/187-wes...

We just left Hawaii (June '75), now on our way to PI. We'd already lost one F-4 Phantom, and will experience a major flood... All before we get to PI. What else could go wrong?

#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #Westpac
#187—Westpac ’75: Transit to PI — A Veteran's Journey
The US Navy taught me many things. The most important was to believe in myself and my abilities. Westpac '75 took me to the limit.
azadkinsiii.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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#186—Westpac ’75 Flight Ops azadkinsiii.com/blog/186-wes...
Join me and my shipmates as we leave San Diego (May 1975) and head to Hawaii on our way to PI.
#AVeteransJourney #lifeisajourney #neverforget #Westpac
#186—Westpac ’75 Flight Ops — A Veteran's Journey
Working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is challenging and exciting, especially during flight operations.
azadkinsiii.com
February 11, 2025 at 12:44 PM