Bell Bottom Brothers

By Don Shepler

If you like to laugh, then this book is a must read. Bell-Bottomed Brothers is filled with true life adventures of a group of US sailors. Follow them as they travel through the Orient, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, as the release their fun loving antics on the unsuspecting public and each other. The bond they form can only be described as brothers, defending and supporting each other in their own unique way. Even since forty-plus years have passed, they remain in each other's hearts, and with some, their lives. You are invited to join them on their hilarious journeys. Enjoy the adventures. All brothers mentioned are Vietnam veterans.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781643501284

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Bell Bottom Brothers

Don Shepler

Copyright © 2018 Don Shepler

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-64350-127-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64350-128-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

This book, Bell-Bottom Brothers, is a true story about four years of Navy life in the United States and abroad. The events took place from 1971 to 1974. However, the Vietnam War is not an issue in the story. It is merely mentioned. The story centers mainly around a small group of young men who, during their enlistment, formed a bond of brotherly love. Sharing the same frustrations and loneliness from being separated from their families, the group sets out to make the best of their situation.

Each chapter tells of different comical antics that were sometimes planned by the sailors. Most actions brought no harm to anyone. The story simply conveys how the sailors turned their state of mind from depression to an attitude of lightheartedness through laughter. The comical activities continued until the group was discharged and freed from military discipline and confinement, each going their separate way.

To Bob Royer who, after his enlistment was over, joined the United States Government agency Bureau of Firearms, Tobacco, and Alcohol.

On the date April 2, 1981, Bob died from injuries sustained in a high-speed car chase.

Thanks, Bob, for being my bell-bottomed brother.

This book is for you, Bob.

Written with love,

Don Shepler

Introduction

Bell-Bottom Brothers is based on a true story about a small group of men who have enlisted in the United States Navy. The way in which they mentally survive is quite ingenious and entertaining.

Some of the story told within this book has been changed slightly, so as not to embarrass anyone within this story or the United States Navy.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed living it.

Misaya (enjoy),

Don Shepler

Chapter 1

California or Bust

Walking up the stairway that led to the plane—the plane that would take Don to Chicago where he would transfer and then fly to San Francisco—he paused.

Turning back toward the terminal, he saw his parents, and waved to them. His mother didn’t wave. She just stood there with the side of her head leaning against her husband’s shoulder. He placed his arm around her neck and waved sadly to his son. See ya, he said under his breath, and led his wife away and out of the terminal. Don turned back around, looked at the plane, and started back up the stairway.

After finding his seat and buckling up his seat belt, he looked at the terminal one last time, but his parents were nowhere in sight.

God, I’m going to miss them.

What did you say, sir? asked the stewardess.

Nothing, he said politely. Nothing.

He always hated leaving and going back to the Navy, but it had to be done. This time though, he was ready to go back. He was transferring to his brother’s ship. A twin, they hadn’t seen one another in two years and three months, and Don was really excited about seeing twin Ron again.

I wonder if he’s changed much? Don thought while watching the earth slowly move by below.

Don had sure changed. He didn’t know who Don was until he was eighteen years old. Don grew up being half-Don and half-Ron. When he got his chance for individuality, he grabbed it and vowed to never let go. Although Don realized that every set of twins born to this world had the same problems, it didn’t mean he had to like it.

Don sure loved Ron, and they missed each other. Soon, they would see one another again.

I wonder how Ron looks? Don said to himself. Then he chuckled. He looks like me. Hell, we’re identical twins.

About the only difference physically in the two of them was their height. Don was six feet one inch tall and Ron was six feet two inches tall. The main difference between them was their personality. They were two completely different people. Don was happy-go-lucky and quick with a joke of any kind while Ron was serious in his attitude toward most everything. Their personalities were alike in the sense that no one could tell if something was bothering them. Don covered up by showing his worries by laughing and Ron covered up by being just his quiet self.

Do you want anything to drink, sir? asked the stewardess.

No, thanks. I’m fine, answered Don.

Okay, she replied and moved on down the aisle.

Don was now thinking of the friends he’d left aboard his old ship. It was an aircraft carrier posted in Norfolk, Virginia. They had just finished a year tour in Vietnam, and the ship was back in Norfolk now.

There were eight guys that hung around with Don. Although Don was especially close to three of them, Danny, Hulk and Mouse. The four of them were shadows of each other. They even shared a cottage in Virginia Beach when they were stateside.

One day, just a few weeks ago, Don was sitting at to the kitchen table making a Shep Sandwich. The guys aboard ship called Don Shep because most of the guys were called by their last names and Don’s last name was Shepler. Shep sounded a lot better than Shepler, anyhow.

Looking out the window next to his kitchen chair, he watched Hulk work on his hunk of junk he called a car. Don took another bite out of his sandwich, sat back in his chair, and yelled out the window,

Hulk, you’re never going to get that damned thing to start! Why don’t you just dig a hole and bury the thing?

Shut your goddamn mouth Shep, or I’ll bury you! Hulk yelled back.

Laughing, Shep took another bite out of his sandwich and continued watching Hulk try to get his car to start.

Hulk was a very strong man which you can probably tell by the nickname Shep gave him. Hulk would walk behind his little Volkswagen, tinker with the engine for a few seconds, then go back and try the key. When the engine wouldn’t fire, he’d get out of the car and slam his fist onto the top of the car. Each time that Hulk would punch the top of the car, a dimple would appear in the form of his fist.

Mouse was sitting on the porch, laughing at Hulk and saying, Hit it again, Hulk! Hit it again!

Hulk would tinker with the engine, then go back up front and try the key. Still it wouldn’t start, and Hulk would punch the top of the car and make another dimple. After hitting the car for the fifth time, Hulk grabbed the open door of the car and gave it a pull, sliding the car toward him about two feet. Outraged, Hulk walked again to the rear of the car and said, If you don’t start this time, you son of a bitch, I’m going to drop a match down your gas tank!

After working on the engine, he slammed down the hood, and gave out a yell of rage. Stomping to the front, he got in and turned the key.

It started! he yelled, and shifted the tiny car into reverse. As Hulk popped the clutch, the tires spun, throwing gravel all around Mouse, who was still sitting on the porch. Hulk then shifted into first gear and drove out of the parking lot, throwing gravel in all directions. When Hulk came to the first corner, he slammed on the brakes, downshifted, and peeled his little Volkswagen around the corner, and continued his way around the block. After making the turn around the third corner, he once again slammed on the brakes, and turned into the parking lot.

Shep, finishing his lunch, looked out the window and saw Hulk driving toward the cottage.

Go, Hulk! Go! he said with a laugh.

Hulk was moving at about forty miles per hour, and was now only about twenty feet from the cottage.

Shep screamed and jumped out of the way just as the car slammed into the cottage right below the window in the kitchen. The window broke and the front of the car was smashed all to hell.

Damn it, Hulk! You could have killed me! Shep yelled, standing in the broken window.

Hulk just laughed and backed the car up about twenty feet, shifted to first gear and rammed the cottage again. And then again. Shep jumped out of the way just in time.

Hit it with the rear end, Hulk, screamed Mouse, who was now laying on the porch, holding his stomach, kicking his feet, and laughing hilariously.

Yeah, Hulk said agreeing and backing the little car out into the parking lot. Turning around he drove the rear end of the car into the cottage and the engine died. Hulk got out of the car and said, There, you’re dead, you junk heap!

Oh my God, said Mouse in a whispering voice, still out of breath from laughing so hard.

Getting off the porch, and walking over to where the little car was sitting, he put an arm around Hulk’s shoulder and quietly said, Boy, you sure made a mess out of that car.

Yeah, I did, said Hulk proudly.

Shep jumped out of the broken window onto the top of the car with three beers under his arm.

Beer, anyone? he asked with a smile.

What a long day, Don thought with a sigh. It was dark now and Don could only see darkness when he peered out his window.

Oh, miss!

Yes, sir, replied the stewardess.

How much longer before we get to San Francisco? he asked.

About an hour, she answered, smiling.

Thank you, said Don, and he turned back to the window.

Don’s thoughts again returned to his friends in Virginia. It must have been a sense of security that kept his thoughts in the past, for his future with Ron felt very insecure.

A smile came to his face. Danny, you were one lucky mother, he thought, remembering a certain night in the Philippines. It was October 1972, and the gang was walking back to the base after a long night of serious drinking.

Anybody know where we are? asked Squirrel in a concerned voice.

Yeah, we’re in the Philippines, joked Shep, bringing a laugh to the group of drunken sailors.

There’s a river! yelled Squirrel interrupting the laughter.

Maybe it’s the Shit River, he continued. If it is, we can follow it back to the base. Come on, guys, let’s go check it out, urged Squirrel.

Okay, okay, said Hulk, trying to calm Squirrel down.

Come on, guys, let’s go, said Squirrel, leaping ahead and waving his hands in a hurried motion. After reaching the bridge, they gathered along the rail and looked down toward the river.

Christ, it’s dark down there. How the hell are we supposed to follow the river in the dark? complained Hulk to Squirrel.

I don’t know! answered Squirrel, throwing his hands into the air.

Shep, Mouse, come here, laughed Danny, still standing by the rail.

What’s up? they said as the pair trotted over to where Danny was standing.

I’ll bet you guys five dollars apiece that I can dive off this bridge, Danny said with a gleam in his eyes.

Mouse and Shep looked back over the rail and then back to Danny. Jesus Christ, Danny, you want to kill yourself? giggled Mouse.

Yeah, Danny, we don’t even know how far it is to the water, said Shep in a worried tone.

"You guys tiếng manok or something?" said Danny, pointing a finger at Mouse and Shep.

Hell no, we’re not chicken shits. If you want to jump, then go for it, Shep replied as he leaned against the rail.

Hey guys, come here, Mouse yelled to Hulk and Squirrel still arguing on the other side of the bridge.

Danny is going to jump!

He’s what? they said as they too came trotting across to join the group.

I’m going to dive into the river. You guys want to put up five dollars that I don’t do it? asked Danny, holding out his hand.

Sure, we’re in, answered Hulk.

Turning to Mouse, Danny asked, How about you?

Okay, I’m in, replied Mouse eagerly.

Shep, how about you?

What the hell, Danny. It’s your ass, he answered with a smile.

Okay. Help me up to the rail, said Danny, holding out his arms.

Here we go, grunted Hulk as he lifted Danny up.

Ready? Mouse asked Danny as he stood there trying to keep his balance.

Yep, he answered, teetering back and forth.

Okay, on three, said Mouse, and everyone counted.

One, two, three!

And off the rail he went, flailing in the spread-eagle position, and disappearing out of sight. As they stood at the rail looking down, Squirrel asked, Did any of you guys hear a splash?

No, they replied one by one.

Let’s go have a look! yelled Mouse excitedly. Then they all ran down to the river.

There’s no God damn water! screamed Hulk as he was the first to reach the bottom.

Where’s Danny? Shep asked in a panic.

Here he is, said Mouse, and they all ran to where Mouse was standing.

As they stood over Danny, who was lying face down and still spread-eagle, Squirrel asked in a quiet voice, Is he dead?

I’ll see, replied Mouse quietly.

And as Mouse started to kneel down, Danny groaned, Oh, my fuckin’ nose!

Yep, you were one lucky mother, Don thought to himself.

This is your captain speaking, came the voice over the intercom. We will soon be landing at the San Francisco Airport, so would you please buckle your seat belts and extinguish all cigarettes. The time in San Francisco is 9:05 p.m. and the temperature is a mild seventy-four degrees. On behalf of the crew, I hope you enjoyed your flight and thank you for flying with us.

Don could now feel the tension mount inside him as the plane moved slowly toward the terminal. When the other passengers started to crowd the aisle and gradually file out of the plane, he suddenly realized that he hadn’t eaten or drank anything during the flight. He just sat in his seat and chain-smoked trying to put off the uncertainty of seeing his brother again. Don waited and watched everyone leave the plane.

Well, this is it! Don said aloud as he pulled himself out of his seat. After grabbing the flight bag that Mouse gave him, he strutted toward the door.

Upon entering the terminal, he could see Ron looking over the crowd of people for him.

I’m over here, Don said as he stepped off the ramp. Ron’s straight-faced expression never changed as Don walked up to him.

Hi, blood, Don said with a smile as he shook Ron’s hand.

Hi. Do you have any more baggage? Ron said still not smiling.

Yep, replied Don.

You have to go downstairs to pick it up. Come on, I’ll show you where it is, said Ron as he turned and started walking away.

While standing there and watching other people’s baggage float by, Don thought to himself, Christ, he’s the same old Ron. He wouldn’t show any emotion if you held a gun to his face.

Where’s the ship tied up, Ron? Don said, trying to strike up a conversation.

It’s at the ship yard in San Francisco, about twenty miles away, answered Ron.