Hi Boys and Girls! Words that aren't nice to hear? Where do I start. "We're going on a five day training cruise. Pack for six months." My division officer said those words right before we sailed for Operation Desert Storm. "State for the tribunal, your name, rank, serial number and duty station.." "This is for your own good" Any time I hear that I know the speaker is definately not interested in my wefare. "Business is slow. We have to let you go." "Man overboard! This is not a drill all hands report to their station for muster. I repeat..." "General Quarters! General Quarters! This is not a drill! all hands man your battle stations! Go up and forward on the starboard side! Down and afft on the port, This is not a drill!" There are other but I won't go there others have covered those topics. Jeri, please be assured you have created nop enemies here. I knew you weren't talking about the here and now because of the sensitive nature of the subject. My parents have both been dead for over thirty years and there isn't a day goes by that they aren't in my mind. My sympathy for your loss. Kindest reguards to all and a very happy holiday season, Neil PS- the last paragraph isn't part of our collabrative collection-Irish Sergeant.