Because the Midway was based in Japan, it often made port at Cubi. During 1982-1984 Capt. Charles McGrail was CO of CV-41 and he and my father became fast friends.
Chuck was great with me from the time I met him and he pretty much adopted me like a grandkid. He would let me organize big school field trips to the ship - and you know, any kid that can get the entire 5th and 6th grade class out of school for a whole day was tops! He would always have special cakes made for us that said "Midway or Bust!" It became my favorite saying!
Chuck always got sleepy around 9pm - probably from getting up at the crack of dawn. I thought this was such a funny thing as a kid because I was so used to seeing people at the club till all hours! 9pm seemed so early to me! So anytime he was at the club, at 9pm I would come find him and tell him jokes before he left for home and went to bed. This became a ritual. No matter how lame or corny my kids jokes were, he and his wonderful wife Genie would laugh so much and so hard and give me huge hugs! I loved them both so dearly!
Whenever Chuck left it was so sad as it was always so much fun when he was here. We'd often take the barge out and cruise around Subic Bay - I always liked it when we went near the island castle! And also by this time I had been running all over the ship when it was at Cubi that I made lots of friends with the crew who all looked after me as if I was their own kid sister and it was sad when they left too.
It was always a special day when the ship came back in as it was always a big deal....and it seemed like half the Cubi O Family was alongside me at Leyte Pier ready to welcome back the crew....and Chuck ALWAYS had the bagpipes playing followed by Crystal Gayles "We Must Believe in Magic". It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it now!
Funny story - whenever the ship came into port dad would tell me the whole protocal of everything....Walk up the plank, salute the flag, sign in. But I would often get SO excited that Chuck was back that I would run past everyone onto the ship and run past the Military Police. One day, two new eager Marines started to take chase of me as I quickly ran around and up the stairs making a B-line to the CO's cabin. When I got there I opened the door - completely out of breath - just as I heard the two Marines coming up behind me yelling. I ducked under Chucks legs and then hid behind him while sneaking a peak as he reprimanded the poor guys for chasing a kid while carrying guns!
The crew really was fantastic. I remember going to Japan many times to visit Chuck, also to XO Flack Logan's house, CAG Bob Canepa's and we even had dinner with Guido (I want to spell it Magantini)....And all the young pilots on the ship were wonderful with me too! Especially a Japanese-American one named Ken who always brought me the COOLEST stuff from Japan! These guys were always gifting me with the latest toys, stuffed animals, Nintendo hand held games! The Midway crew spoiled me ROTTEN! Oh - and they also usually let me win when I'd bet quarters against them in the Cubi O' Bar playing Galaga and Asteroids - or worse yet, when Dad caught me hustling young pilots in the bar having them bet against me on Ship, Captain, Crew! I was ten years old!
Chuck passed away many years ago. Genie called us at home and I remember my heart just sank. Thankfully, after leaving the Philippines we came back to San Diego and by then Chuck made Admiral and was COMCARGRU1 at North Island....It was nice to spend time with him in San Diego before they later moved back east near DC....
I went last year to visit the Midway at her new home in San Diego....As soon as I pulled up next to her - a flash of memories came back and I could hear the bagpipes again. She looked smaller than I remembered her - things always seem so much bigger when you're a little kid - and compared to the newer class carriers, I guess she technically is the smallest class still.
Walking up the plank wasn't quite the same....but as soon as I stepped foot on her deck and the familiar scent of grease and diesel entered my nose, I sucked in a deep breath as if to take her all in again.....I got chills all over as I meandered down familiar corridors and hallways......I could feel her still, breathing her magic.....though Chuck has sadly left us, somehow, I felt him there with me that day....
I hope that the crew of the Midway find their way here and maybe share their stories of Midway and Cubi or even Chuck - all things that will forever stay magical in all our hearts!
This is Cathy McGrail Burgher - Chuck's daughter. I came across what you wrote, and thought I should say hi - at least - as it was such a sweet story. I believe I saw another posting of yours on the Midway board too.
It is so nice to see that my Dad made such an impact on people, wherever he was. Unfortunately, my Dad passed at such an early age - before I was married and had my son. I have been gathering all of the stories from the guys from the Midway, along with the book, and now your story - so that I can put together something for my son to remember his grandfather by. My Dad would have been tickled to tears by my son - they are so much alike! I have my Dad's hands - not too attractive on a girl - but - my son has them too - and I tell him that they are his grandfather's hands. He is also brilliant like my Dad - so that was passed along also.
So - just wanted to say that I saw your story, and that I thought it was very sweet. I didn't know if you even knew that Chuck had 3 daughters (and Jean's kids as stepkids), so that I'm sure he did have fun with you!
Hope you are doing well!
Thanks so much,
Cathy McGrail Burgher
Cathy,
I read your nice comment to Lisa regarding your dad. She loved him like a favorite uncle. I think that was because he let her get away with so much. I think that Lisa reminded him of you and your sisters. He would have been the dotting grandfather, spoling the kids rotten. He was like a father to his crew. He would be on the 1MC(ships PA system throughout the ship) all the time letting the crew know where they were, and what they were doing. He'd let them know whenever a Russian Bear bomber was approaching the ship, and kept them aware of the status. He kept his crew pumped up , and the morale was outstanding.They loved and respected him so much. Midway Magic was Chuck McGrail. All of the staff at Cubi loved and looked forward to his visits to Cubi. In fact there are a lot of pictures in the Cubi family albums where your dad invited the staff aboard and took them out for a cruise to show them what a carrier was all about. No other Captain ever did that. After his little cruise, the staff was so pumped up that they realy worked hard to make the crews visit as pleasant as possible. When Chuck and Jeanne hit Cubi, the place jumped. Of course your dad would start nodding off around 9pm. When the Midway pulled out of Subic, up went the Scottish battle flag, and bagpipes blasting from the PA system, everyone knew that Chuck McGrail was going to sea. I really liked your dad, and was proud to have him as a friend. Please feel free to join the Cubi family and register. I'm at edougil@yahoo if you want any more info.
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