The Treasure of a Friend 

            Part 3

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   Time passed.

    I finished school. Joined the Navy. Was stationed on a ship overseas.

    Vic and I kept in touch throughout.

    During my time overseas—I was stationed for two years on an aircraft carrier home-ported in Japan—Vic was a living link to my own Wisconsin roots. He sent letters, and occasional tapes of my favorite music, recorded off the radio. He would add his own narrative, of news, humor, and inspirational quotes and passages. One Christmas, spent at sea, there arrived from my friend a small package containing a green, needle-covered sprig from a Wisconsin pine. It became for my shipmates and me a tiny Christmas tree in our bunkroom.

    After meeting Marcy, and transferring to Hawaii for four years of duty ashore at Pearl Harbor, and getting married there and starting a family, Vic traveled twice to visit. He became a second father-in-law to Marcy and an additional grandparent to Robin and Lianne—and later, Alexandra. He watched them grow and was involved in the process.

    In Wisconsin, after a third and final Navy tour of duty, once again in Japan and for three years ashore, we were next-door neighbors for a time.

    By now, Vic considered us his family, just as much as he was part of ours.

    And indeed, it was so.

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         Part 4.

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