[February 6, 2024] Miracles do happen. I’d been delivering newspapers on my bicycle back in my old High School days, just a few blocks from where I lived, and standing next to a green-colored, early 1950s Studebaker Champion car was this older man who looked meaner than dirt and older than Moses. With his shirt sleeves rolled up, I noticed a naked lady tattoo on his right arm. Immediately, I stopped and said “howdy” in my southern twang, doing my best to sound like a Texan. “You’re not from around here, are ya?” He said, talking like I was being accused of some terrible crime.
“Just delivering papers,” I managed to eke out. I looked more at his car; it was beautiful if a machine could be beautiful. It was sleek, had many curves and chrome, and had a futuristic look. At the time, America was pushing into space, new inventions were hitting the market, and the world was moving peacefully into a better future.
“Hop in, and I’ll take ya for a spin.” It was like a wish had come true that I would sit in this wonderful car. A sixth sense of mine was trying to kick in. And I was a little scared of this old man; he didn’t look right in the head. He was a neighbor, so he had to be sane. Weren’t we all? Besides, it was the suburbs.
He drove like my great-grandmother, slow, cautiously, and taking curves in the road like he was navigating through a nursery of toddlers. I looked over at him, and there on his upper arm was that tattoo of a naked lady in a provocative pose, like she was dancing. At first, I didn’t notice three horizontal bars under the naked lady. My curiosity peaked, for I knew there had to be a good story here. I asked him about the tattoo, and his words came tumbling out, telling me of a great adventure he and his men had experienced during “the war.”.
This old man had been the Skipper of a Navy submarine early in World War II. His job was hunting Japanese shipping in the Pacific, near the Japanese home islands. Those missions were extraordinarily dangerous early in the war. It was common to lose the sub with all men on board due to accidents, just as often as enemy action.
This old man, known locally as Mr. Jacob, told me of one encounter his sub crew had in 1942. His men were being hunted relentlessly by Japanese anti-submarine ships. In one engagement, and out of desperation, he launched several torpedoes head-on at one of their warships. His sub escaped, sinking that ship, but only after a great deal of damage to the sub. It was a miraculous escape.
The bars below the naked lady were ‘warships’ his crew sank. Cargo ships were easy prey compared to warships. I asked him what he thought about me getting a tattoo. He laughed since I was a wimpy kid in his eyes. End of conversation.
On the slow drive back to my bike and undelivered newspapers, we stopped at a place selling sodas. He bought me a Dr. Pepper and said, “You have a good life because we were there.” And he was right.
Years after I joined the Army, several friends suggested we go downtown to get a tattoo to show that we were “tough men.” I declined. I knew what a tough man was like.
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Please read my books:
Sir, you just gained another subscriber to your leadership website. These letters make me think about my childhood and those that traveled that distance with me and my family. thank you for that.
Welcome aboard, Paulette. Good to have you along for the ride.
Welcome aboard Paulette. My friend Gen Douglas will take you for a ride with history. So buckled up.
My friend Gen. you made a wise decision to not get a tattoo. It does make you a man. Some people have gotten a tattoo of their girlfriend to later years to broke up . You have the reminder of her for years until you get removed.
I am old school that says not have any garven image in Genesis 10 commandments.
Note to kids does get in cars with strangers. I got in trouble for doing so at age 9. A lady saling encyclopedia stopped by our house while my mom was working. She asked me to take me to my mom job. We ended up at my aunt house trying to sale her books for her kids. While outside by the road my mom was in the farm truck that passed by. A person in the back of the truck says that looked like me.. My mom said that could not be me I was home taking care of my sis and brother. Wrong. She had the driver turn around. There I was. She made me get in the truck. Crazy thing the same lady following us home to ask mom to purchase the books. She did. But it costed me with a whipping I never forgot.
Sadly the money my mom paid for the books we used the books only a a short time less than 6 month.
It was not worth it.
Gen. Satterfield, these are wonderfully written letters to your granddaughter. I look forward to reading more over the next few months.
Gen. Satterfield, I know others have said it but bears repeating that this series of “Letters to my Granddaughter” is the best one you’ve produced. Thanks for sharing the good and the bad about you growing up. My favorite part is when you share your mistakes that helped you learn what not to do and are also giving us an opportunity to learn from those as well. Thanks again and it is my wish you keep this series alive for a long time in the future. 😎
Jerome, yep. This is the best!!!!!!
Gen. Satterfield, you’ve done it once more with a beautiful and engaging letter to your granddaughter. This entire series just itself makes it worthwhile to read your blog. Please continue, if nothing else we can start to see how your childhood has made you who you are. I assume you will also show how your experiences as an adult will show us how that also impacted your successes too. Thank you, sir, from my heart.
Home run! ⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾
“Years after I joined the Army, several friends suggested we go downtown to get a tattoo to show that we were “tough men.” I declined. I knew what a tough man was like.”
Tell your kids NOT to get tattoos. This letter to Gen. Satterfield’s granddaughter is one of those that has that message. So there are lessons here to be gleaned from the letter and messages to follow. Gen. S. is giving us some breadcrumbs to follow. The question is whether we have the gumption to follow them or stray from the path he is giving us to follow. That is what determines if you will have a good life or not.
Wow, great letter, Gen. Satterfield and thanks for your series. I’ve become addicted to them. Oh, thanks for the tab that lists all the letters for ease of reading. Well done. Please write at least 100 letters. At this rate, it will take you to at least May or June to get to 100.
“Miracles do happen.” Yes that is true.
One of the best paragraphs of his letter:
“He drove like my great-grandmother, slow, cautiously, and taking curves in the road like he was navigating through a nursery of toddlers. I looked over at him, and there on his upper arm was that tattoo of a naked lady in a provocative pose, like she was dancing. At first, I didn’t notice three horizontal bars under the naked lady. My curiosity peaked, for I knew there had to be a good story here. I asked him about the tattoo, and his words came tumbling out, telling me of a great adventure he and his men had experienced during “the war.”” — Gen. Doug Satterfield.
I agree, Winston. I hope that Gen. Satterfield turns these into another book. Now that would be something.
Yep, and I’ll be one of the first to buy the book. If you don’t get your copy like his “55 Rules for a Good Life,” then you will be missing out. Gen. Satterfield please publish your letters. I can’t wait to read them in your book. Please publish this year. 💖
I got my book but I like “Our Longest Year in Iraq” the best.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Excellent letter.
Your letters to your granddaughter, Gen. S. made my day.
❤ Another wonderful letter. ❤
Gen. Satterfield’s lesson here is that tattoos are not for the weak but they are exactly the people who get them. So, if you are weak and stupid, then get a tattoo. If you are a woman, and get a tattoo, you are going to be seen as a slu#. period. So pay attention here folks.
Got to say that I agree. ✔
This is one of the main reasons that I keep coming back to this leadership website by Gen. Doug Satterfield. He keeps us on our toes with letters to his granddaughter and with so many international and individual psychological interests. Keep your website/blog going, Gen. Satterfield. We are loving each and every day what you write about and I also like being surprised by your eclectic style. Keeps me coming back here and I think i can speak for others to say this is the reason you have been successful in your life. Stay warm this winter. And, sir, you are an American Patriot.
Well said, USA Patriot II.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
we all patriots
Gen. Satterfield has been writing his blog now for over 10 years. A decade is a long time for what he is doing but I will point out one thing of interest. He puts many of his main points in two of his books. If you want two books to read and give away to people you love and admire, then these books will fill that bill. Get your copies now and you will appreciate my recommendation. I got my copies when the books came out. Both are easy to read and you can mark the books all you want, since they are in paperback (my preference) or in Kindle electronic format. Don’t miss out.
Waton Bell , got that right. I too have his books and they are the kind of books that I loan to my friends but they have to give me my books back. I keep them on my side table in the living room. That way, I can pick them up and read anytime at anyplace in these wonderful books and they make perfect sense.
Great comments USA P, Rev C, Watson, and Emmanuel. This is why it is always a good idea to read the comments section.
Great letter, Gen. Satterfield. Ha Ha, a naked lady tattoo. Who would have known.
I WAS THINKING THE SAME.
Wow, two letters to Gen. Satterfield’s granddaughter in a row.
Hit another home run with this letter.
Yeppper!!!!! Loving these letters.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/granddaughter-letters/
Go and see them all located here.
Thank you Gen. Satterfield for this treasure trove of letters.
… and also for Gen. Satterfield’s books that can be found on Amazon. Be sure to get your copy today and leave an “honest review” for him. That helps drive visitors to Amazon and to his book. 😁