CASTLE'S COMMAND

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Newport, Rhode Island, 05 September 1961.

Classes were starting for Castle and Ryan at the Naval War College. Rick had leased a house about a mile from the campus. The Navy had shipped their household goods. Rick had taken a month's leave so that the family could drive cross country and the children could see some of the sights. It was only a four- day drive, so they had plenty of time to take side trips to historical places along the way. A trip to the Gettysburg battlefield, Pittsburg, and Washington DC. The children especially enjoyed the Smithsonian and the Lincoln Memorial. They also made a trip to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Arlington National Cemetery. They arrived in Newport two weeks ahead of classes and stayed in transient officer's quarters while their household goods were moved into a house about a mile from the campus. George had flown down from New York to find and lease the house for them. It was a spacious colonial style house of white painted brick with pale blue tri.

Although colonial style it had all the modern conveniences.

Rick and Kevin had both been relieved of command in January to work on the Admiral's staff, preparing them for what their duties would be after graduating from the war college. They missed the command, but accepted the broadening of their perspectives, being assured that after the war college commands would come again, unless they chose a staff career path after graduation. (Neither would)

Both men were a little surprised at ho0w much they enjoyed the war college. Especially that it meant that they got to go home to their families every night and had weekends off, though much of that time was spent studying. Alex's tenth birthday occurred almost halfway through the courses. Rick bought him a Remington Model 513T .22 caliber bolt action target rifle. It came with a six round magazine but could easily be loaded singly, which Rick did while teaching him to shoot. Johanna would get a 513S, sport weight barrel and sporter stock on her tenth birthday)

The two years passed surprisingly quickly for both men and both stood high in their class. Rick in third place and Kevin in fifth. The program awarded a master of arts degree.

Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island, 23, May 1963.

Kate Castle and Jenny Ryan with their respective children sat in the audience, watching as their husbands walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. They had also received their new orders.

As of 01, July Rick was promoted rear admiral lower half (one star) the first rank noted as a flag officer. He was assigned as commanding officer, Naval Base San Diego. The Navy, again recognizing what a good team the made assigned Kevin as his chief of staff. (Kevin would get his own star two years later.)

That evening the two families dined at the historic White horse Tavern celebrating the graduations, return to San Diego and Rick's upcoming promotion to admiral.

"This is some of the most delicious food I've ever had. Jenny said. Everything is so fresh."

"Yes, Kate said They advertise "Farm to table" and it seem to be true."

"As good as this is, I can't wait to get back to San Diego and the Mexican food down in Old town." Rick said.

"Especially Casa Guadalajara." Kate said. Their Chili Verde is outstanding."

"I like their Taquitos Soaves and their dark beer." Kevin Said.

Naval Base San Diego, 01 July 1963, 10:00 hours.

Castle stood on the reviewing stand as his promotion order was read. And Kate removed his old shoulder boards and placed the new ones on his shoulders. She then sat down. The band played ruffles and flourishes. A signal gun fired eleven times in salute, signifying the arrival of an admiral on base. Following that, he read out his orders assuming command of the base. He turned to face the outgoing commander, saluted and said;

"I relieve you sir." The other man said;

"I stand relieved sir." The two men shook hands.

"Where are you off to Dan?"

"Well, I'm getting my second star next month and I'm off to the Puzzle Palace. (The Pentagon)

Castle chuckled. "Make sure they give you a map and a compass or you'll get lost in the maze."

Castle was assigned an official car to take him to and from home. Around the base and to official functions off base.

It got used that night to take he and Kate to his promotion party at the officer's club.

Castle house, Lemon Grove California, 17, August 1963.

Since Saturday the seventeenth was almost between their children's birthdays (Jo's the 13th and Alex's the 20th) the Castle Family was holding one party for the two of them. There were two separate cakes and basically two different age groups. There weren't a large number of children aside from the Ryan's. Most of them from two years ago, but a few new ones. Besides Rick and Kate, the adults included Kevin and Jenny, the Kings and of, course George and Martha, who flew out every year for their birthdays and Thanksgiving, staying through Christmas.

Although Rick had an official vehicle, the y needed family cars.

He prized his 49 Cadillac it wasn't practical anymore so, he sold it to a Cadillac collector and bought a 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 for himself and a 1964 Buick Special six passenger station wagon for Kate. She needed the larger wagon for the number of activities she was now involved in. Often hauling around not only her own children but often the Ryan's and their friends as well. Rick had a gut feeling that the 57 Chevy was going to be a classic, so he had it restored to showroom quality driving it only occasionally to keep the battery and tires up.

Rick had been briefed, of course but was still a little surprised how his personal staff had grown. He had his commissioned aide, Lieutenant Eric Christiansen, tall and blonde he looked very much the Viking his ancestors had been. Master Chief Javier Esposito his enlisted aide, his driver, Petty officer second class John Welles and personal secretary a WAVE Petty Officer third class, Sandra Weaver.

Rick and Kevin fell into their usual working together groove and with the assistance of the two aides and his secretary, made the interaction with the staff and thus command of the base run fairly smoothly with few adjustments to the new commander and his policies. There were, of course he usual problems that occur with any community and the base was, indeed a community within the larger community of San Diego. The most frequent problems were sailors getting into trouble with the police. off base. The SDPD were usually willing to turn over minor problems like drunk and disorderly to the shore patrol and let the navy handle it.

Rick found much more of his time than he liked being taken up with public relations and appearances at civic events.

In addition to his Lemon Grove home where the family actually resided there was the base commander's official residence on base which was only used, in Castle's case for official social functions such as the New Year's Day official reception where the base's officers and ship's captains paid a formal call on the commander and his family. It was more often used to house visiting senior officers, (rear admiral and above) The residence ad a permanent staff of a housekeeper two maids and a gardener. A chef was called in from the officer's mess or officer's club when needed. The staff were all navy enlisted personnel.

Naval Base San Diego, 22, November 1963

Castle was sitting in his office when there was a sharp knock on his door.

"Enter."

Lieutenant Christiansen opened the door and came in.

"Admiral, it just came over the teletype. President Kennedy has been assassinated in Dallas Texas!" Rick's jaw dropped.

"That's been verified?"

"Yes sir."

"Get a television in here."

Rick got up and turned on the radio and listened to the news broadcast.

Christiansen returned about fifteen minutes later with a brand-new portable television that he'd just purchased at the base exchange.

He plugged it in and turned it on, turning it to channel ten (NBC) news. The news anchor was reading the news, a shocked, horrified expression on his face. Then there was a brief clip of the motorcade."

"I've seen enough, Eric. Turn it off. Order the base flag lowered to half -mast immediately."

'Aye, aye sir."

"Give me the receipt for that TV. I'll cut you a check. I'll keep it here in my office.

Rick new that the rest of the day would be hectic, so, while he had a few quiet minutes, he called Kate, told her the news and said that he had no idea what time he'd get home that night, but it probably would be late. He'd get supper in the mess or the O club.

He was right the phones rang and rang. The teletype chattered and messengers ran in and out. All forces were on high alert not knowing if the assassination was a precursor to something worse. He didn't get home until one in the morning.

Hotel del Coronado, Coronado California, 31 December 1963.

The Hotel del Coronado was one of San Diego's premium Hotels and a very popular tourist spot. It sat on the shoreline overlooking the ocean. It was a historic site, having opened in 1888 and still going strong. It was the site of San Diego's most prestigious New Year's Eve ball.

Castle had been invited as one of Southern California's dignitaries among other base commanders such as the commanders of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Naval Training Center, Naval Air Stations Miramar and North Island and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Of course, the mayor of San Diego and other important civilians were there among well to do San Diegans.

It wasn't all by invitation, anyone could purchase a bid. There were two levels of bid. One for dinner and the ball, the other for the ball only.

Castle bought the dinner and ball bids for he and Kate. Kevin had bought ball only bids for he and Jenny.

The dinner, as was expected for a four- star hotel was excellent. Rick and Kate had prime rib with baked potato and a salad with chocolate mousse for dessert. An excellent red wine accompanied the meal. Castle wore his evening mess dress uniform, the lapel ablaze with miniature medals. Kate wore a floor length slim profile gown in a purple so dark, it almost looked black and black elbow length gloves. She had a diamond and amethyst necklace around her neck with matching earring, a gift from Rick on their tenth anniversary.

Kate was standing by herself for a few minutes while Rick was talking to a couple of other officers. A young woman, somewhat flashily dressed, in a silver lame gown came up to her.

"You look absolutely gorgeous. Didn't I see you in that movie with Gregory Peck?" Kate blushed and said;

"Thank you for the compliment, but you are mistaken. I am not an actress. I am Admiral Castle's wife."

"Oh, pardon me. I was sure you were a star."

Kate laughed.

"The stars are on my husband's shoulders."

"Which on is he?" The woman asked

"The tall one looking at us." Kate said.

"Oh, you're a lucky woman. He's handsome."

"I agree with you, on both counts."

Rick then walked up to them.

"You'll have to excuse my wife Miss, but the music is about to start and I want to dance with my wife."

The ball opened with a Strauss waltz, The Beautiful Blue Danube.

If not the most striking couple on the floor, they were among the top ten. And also, among the best dancers. Rick, at forty-four was in top physical shape putting much younger men to shame His uniform was tailored to perfection showcasing his tall, broad shouldered trim waisted figure.

Kate, two years younger also put younger women to shame, wearing the same dress size she had when she and Rick married. With no sag to her breasts or hips. Her gown was a custom number in silk from a designer in La Jolla. A Kim Hathaway original. They danced the first three dances without leaving the floor, then went to the bar to get drinks.

They found an open table to rest and sip their drinks and in a few minutes Jenny and Kevin joined them. Kevin, like castle was in evening mess dress. Jenny, in a full skirted, floor length gown in Kelly green with elbow length white gloves. The two couples finished their drinks and returned to the dance floor to another waltz, then they switched partners for a foxtrot. After that Kate replied to any men who asked, that her dance card was full. Filled by Rick.

They waited for the New Year's toast, then left immediately after. They had a private celebration of their own in mind and had to be up early on New Year's Day for the formal reception of Rick's officers and their wives or girlfriends. Kate was glad that makeup and eye drops covered evidence of that celebration. Kate was very glad that the reception only took a couple of hours in that the officers deposited their calling cards on a silver platter, exchanged introductions and left. No drinks or food required. She and Rick were able to spend the rest of the day with their family, but New Year's Day was a Wednesday so it was bac to work the next day.

Rick had continued writing his novels which now numbered fourteen, all of which had been best sellers. Fortunately, most of his readers never connected Richard Castle the author with Richard Castle the naval officer. With the proceeds from his writing and the investments of the RAC corporation the Castle's secured wealth was fifteen million dollars

They had no need, financially to stay in the service but the navy life was one that was meaningful for them contributing to a far greater cause than the mere pursuit of wealth. When Rick retired after thirty years, he would still be only fifty-two, still young enough to thoroughly enjoy retirement to the fullest.

Lemon Grove California, 02 July 1965

Rick had taken two weeks leave and the family was preparing for a vacation trip. Martha and George had flown out to join them. They all piled into the Buick station wagon and drove up highway I-5 until they reached CA-1 Pacific Coast Highway near Dana Point. They Pulled off and went into Los Angeles so see the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Park observatory and Hollywood boulevard. They ate at the Brown Derby and stayed overnight at the Wilshire Hilton.

The next day they continued on PCH to Morro Bay saw the Morro Rock and then to San Simeon to see Hurst's Castle, returned to Morro Bay to eat dinner on the pier and stay the night. The next day took them to Monterey where they enjoyed the aquarium and toured cannery Row.

From there to Big Sur, enjoying the misty view of the ocean on one side and the tall trees on the other. They stayed overnight in Big sur and drove the next day to San Francisco. There they spent two days enjoying all the typical tourist sites. China town, the cable cars, the Golden Gate and Fort Point. Eating at the pier and staying in the historic Palace Hotel in downtown.

From San Francisco they drove to Sacramento to see the state capitol and the American river. From Sacramento to Sequoia and Yosemite national parks, awed by the sight of the "King Trees" the giant redwoods. From there, home to Lemon Grove, where a tired but happy family enjoyed a couple of days doing nothing but resting.

Naval Base San Diego, 17, July 1965.

Just one day back from vacation, Rick had to deal with the worst crisis of his command, so far. A criminal action that created a horrible legal and PR situation for the base. Two drunken sailors had raped and sodomized a fourteen-year-old Latina girl, Elsa Lopez. Fortunately for her there were no injuries other than the sexual assault. She was a strong -minded girl and the trauma didn't prevent her from giving the police a good description of the two men. One was tall and thin the other shorter and a little stout. The Nick names Mutt and Jeff had been hung on them, taken from the comic strips, The two idiots adopted and used them with each other, Not only that, Jeff had a distinctive tattoo on his chest, A nude succubus with the name Jezebel. These two had been in trouble before and the Shore Patrol was familiar with them. The Shore Patrol found them in the EM club drinking up a storm. One of the patrolmen heard Jeff say;

"Don't worry man, she's just a Mex, No one's going to take her word over ours." That gave the patrolman probable cause. He and his partner arrested them and threw them, not very gently into the brig where they were held for the San Diego police. The outrage of the Latino community led to the two men being held on one hundred thousand dollars each and the DA wasted no time on charging with multiple felonies each and pushing for a very speedy trial and the public defenders having all their delaying tactics rebuffed. They went to trial in less than two months, the trial lasting only a week and the jury taking only four hours to convict them on all counts sentencing them to twenty years and one day in prison, meaning that they had to serve all their time with no chance of parole. Child rapists do not do well in prison.

Upon their conviction the Navy gave them dishonorable discharges with forfeiture of all pay and benefits.

Lemon Grove California, 30, April 1966.

The paperwork had just been completed, enrolling Alex in Helix High School in La Mesa California about two miles from the Castle's home. Helix had a school body that was a mix of upper middle class, middle class and a small number of lower income students. They were mostly white with some Asian and Hispanics and a small number of African-Americans. Alex and Johanna or Jo as she now preferred to be called had gone to private Catholic from kindergarten on up. But Rick and Kate thought that it was time for Alex and Jo, when her time came to be exposed on a daily basis to a more diverse socio-economic and cultural influence. They navy's upper echelon officers and their children were almost exclusive white, at that time. School would start in late August, just as Alex was turning fourteen.

Most people seeing Alex for the first time thought that he was at least a year maybe a year and a half older than he was.

Alex was already five feet ten inches tall, broad shouldered like his father. He would shoot up to his full adult height of six feet four inches by the time he was sixteen. He was taller than most of his contemporaries, strong and fast. He would be a shoo-in for the freshman football team. If he was seen with his father, there was absolutely no doubt that they were father and son. Castle had taught himself defense from the age of six, teaching him boxing and enrolling him in Jiu-Jitsu and Karate classes. The usual hazing and bullying practices that most freshmen were subject to would be an unpleasant experience for the hazers and bullies.

Except for her blue eyes, Johanna was the spitting image of her mother at that age. She had already entered puberty and was showing definite curves. She was, like her brother, taller than her contemporaries at fife feet four inches and would reach five-nine.

Helix High School, 21, August 1966.

Alex walked onto campus for the first time. He was dressed in medium blue button-down shirt and dark blue slacks, black oxfords on his feet. He was signed up for the college prep track and taking both physical education and military science. He had taken advanced English and math classes in sixth, seventh and eighth grades and was well ahead of his peers in these areas as well.

The first day was spent in picking up his books, getting a list of the supplies he would need att6enhdingan orientation lecture. The only actual classes he had to attend that day were physical education and the initial orientation/roll call of the cadet corps. The commandant Was Captain Gordon, a National Guard officer and an English teacher at the school.

The second day was a full schedule of classes. A notice was posted that try outs for the football team would be held immediately after classes. Alex had participated in both Pop Warner football and little league baseball, excelling in both. The coach asked the potential players how many had played Pop Warner and about half the hands went up. Alex had played both quarterback and running back positions. He was among the first chosen for the team.

By the end of the first week most of the girls in his classes had definitely noticed him and hoped that he noticed them, which, of course, he did but didn't try to talk to any of them yet.

By the end of October Alex had established himself as one of the most popular boys in his class as well as in the best students. His popularity wasn't based on his looks alone but also on his willingness to help any student in his classes that was struggling academically.

Helix played all the schools in the Grossmont Union district but their two main rivalries were with Grossmont which they'd split off from and Mount Miguel that had split off from them. The Grossmont rivalry was symbolized by a musket and Mount Miguel by a claymore.

The three schools being the Foothillers, the Highlanders and the Matadors

The game played against Grossmont was the Friday before Halloween. The freshman team, won 27-13 with Alex throwing two touchdowns and running one in from the 15-yard line. Two field goals sealed Grossmont's fate. The Varsity and JV squads also won their games, securing the musket for this year.

The Halloween dance was on Saturday. (Halloween that year) At the Halloween dance he went as Captain James T. Kirk and to his embarrassment, some of the bolder girls were asking him to dance

The Mount Miguel game was both the concluding game for the Grossmont Union district and Mount Miguel's homecoming game which ended in a humiliating 31-7 win for Helix. Both the musket and the claymore were Helix's for that year. The season was even better for Alex in that his parents and Johanna were able to watch every game.

The next three years went fairly smoothly for the Castle family. Castle's tenure of command having no more nor less than the usual problems and mini crises than any major naval installation. There were two minor events and one major event that affected the Castle family. Johanna entered high school with all the teen-age drama that caused and Alex was the starting quarterback for the varsity team. The major one was the break up of the Castle-Ryan team. Not because of any trouble.

Ryan was promoted rear Admiral and assigned to command the repair base at Mare Island.

Nineteen sixty-eight would not be so uneventful.

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