Well said S'land, especially since I believe it was your tales on flying boats that got me into this! I too have the same regrets that I didn't get my parents to open up about their wartime training and service. All I ever got were the silly things, falling asleep in the desert and 3 weeks in hospital with sunstroke, learning to drive and hitting the only tree for miles, getting promoted, having a drink to celebrate and getting busted back down for drunk and disorderly. That's not what I want as memories, but that's what I have! Better that than nothing!
So come on, please don't let these memories die before they are recorded in whatever way possible.
PS a big welcome David, you'll not be allowed to just put up 3 paragraphs to encapsulate all your service. I'm sure stories of life aboard an aircraft carrier will be as rivetting and refreshing as those already posted. We expect you to maintain that standard, we're a demanding public and haven't been disappointed!