Socotra House got the news when you did. The reactions to the message were mixed by the age of the ears and the amount of hair over them. And color, if there is any.

We could do the general tenor of the response in terms of the American Century, that mythical period since the mid-20th century to whatever it is we are doing now. What we remember is that the United States in that period led the political, economic, and culture of the world.

It was similar in scope to what occurred with Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon to the first shots of the debacle on the Somme in 1915.

Mr. Carter spanned the American version perfectly. He was born the same year as the Chairman’s Dad, just a few years after the boys came home from France and the Century they would build commenced.

There was other stuff to cover this morning, but the news about Mr. Carter caused a dramatic and sudden re-focus from the visit to the Canal Locks at Gatun Lake where other bold young people had stood dramatically. And Splash’s comment that he had planned his departure to ensure that the national flag of the American time on center stage would still be at half-mast on the day when the new returning President would be sworn in.

The century Mr. Cater lived was a remarkable one, and the reason for the group of sailors pictures around him. They are part of a group of cadets in training for the invasion of Japan in 1944. Jimmy was in the fast track at Annapolis for his commissioning in 1946 while these young men were taking off their uniforms and getting ready to build the Space Age.

We did not appreciate some of the things he did when he had the helm. As a group, we shared collective memories of our first visits to the vicinity of Great Socotra Island at his request. And the determination to stay the course after the dramatic failure in the DESERT ONE rescue attempt.

Later, Vic was a Navy salesman in the legislative affairs shop to sell the new SEAWOLF-class fast-attack nuclear submarine. They were to replace the aging LA- Class boats and they were estimated to cost $3 billion a copy. The job was a challenge, since it was the second-most expensive sub ever constructed.

The sales job was successful by a team of talented people. The third boat in the class cost $3.5 B and was named for ‘Jimmy Carter.’ Not “USS James Earl, Jr.” and that will keep his name on steaming steel for a couple decades to come, a thing of purpose in a sea of change.

Jimmy Carter.

Copyright 2024 Vic Socotra
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