“Humility does not
mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a
low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at
all. ~ William Temple”
In Flight Deck: A
Pictorial Essay of a Day in the Life of an Airdale (Volume I, Second Edition) Edward Atkins narrates his thoughts
to the reader in a humble fashion of wisdom, insight and honesty. In his book which is a monumental achievement
to the Navy, he reflects back to his service during 1945 and 1946 aboard the
Essex-class aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Antietam (CV-36), honorably named after
the Civil War battle that claimed 23,000 casualties, the bloodiest single day
in American history.
As a curator in a museum would take patrons throughout the
exhibits and add insight resulting in a higher appreciation and understanding,
Edward Atkins curates his book of Naval Archive photographs with his personal
story, impressions and insight. His
words are captivating as it becomes clearly evident to the reader that each and
every word, thought and opinion is there for the reader’s benefit, not for the
author’s. As there is just so much time
a man has in life, it is important to pass along to others the essence of what
has happened; how men have created this world in which we inhabit, and why
things are the way they are. From the onset
of Edward Atkins’ remarks asking “forgiveness” for typographical oversights due
to his physical limitations, to his closing salute, “Antietam, Hail and
Farewell,” the reader is brought into a first-hand diary of how life was upon a
ship created for a sole purpose of warfare.
An “Airdale” is crew on the flight deck of a carrier. A lackluster job of perfunctory repetition,
moving and securing aircraft; it is as important as any small gear in a machine
without which the mechanism would cease to operate. Furthermore, Edward Atkins does not in any way
make himself out to be a hero, as clearly in the onset he states that the word
“Veteran” applies to those that have been in combat, and his role was
“ancillary” to the war effort. Although
one never knows if the enemy is just over the horizon, this is not a book of
war stories. The focus of the book is
dealing with the inner workings of the carrier, along with the task force
provided for support and protection.
The photographs depict the carrier in all of its glory, at
sea and in port, with the anonymity of the men which bring these metal
skeletons of force to life. Almost every
photograph has been taken from the National Archives. Most interestingly,
Edward Atkins writes a narration for each photograph using two distinct “voices.” One being the seasoned gentleman of elder
years, with the historical knowledge and wisdom earned through his life’s
achievements and research. Then one of
an impressionable young man of 18 and 19 years of age, serving in the Navy
aboard an aircraft carrier; a man-made
creation of immense design excellence of “form following function.” This dichotomy of wisdom and emotion, coupled
with the bountiful photographs of exquisite detail, result in an experience one cannot gain nowadays any other way
than to read Flight Deck.
This three volume set should be a proud gift to all those
entering the military, especially the Navy and Coast Guard, as well as all of
the younger generation with an interest in history, technology or warfare. Citizens enjoying the freedom so ardently
achieved through the sacrifice and fortitude of those of Edward Atkins’
generation have a need-to-know the inner workings of men performing jobs on the
deck of ships which have shaped our history. Flight Deck is a tribute to
all that served, as we salute you.
Available by the author at:
Ship-n-Planes Publishing, 13705 Lakewood Ct., Rockville, MD 20850
(Volume 1, Second Edition and Volumes 2 and 3)
