There are many reasons. I’ll address some in no particular order.

I once read that an octogenarian’s mind has to be constantly challenged if one is to maintain a full set of marbles. Also, I enjoy the challenges inherent in writing essays. If she was still alive, my compositions would shock my ninth-grade English teacher who was convinced that I would write no more forever.

Then there are my kids; they appreciate learning about the experiences that helped shape their old man. I wish I had something equivalent that would have conveyed more about my parents and grandparents.

Also, I am fortunate to still be in touch with a few ancient Kings Point grads whose experiences are similar to mine. I am confident that they will appreciate some of the stories herein.

Regarding I knew a lad who went to sea, I have in mind the many bright young people currently enrolled in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Their academic and seagoing challenges are awesome compared to what my generation had to confront. My hat’s off to them for that. However, the sophisticated ships in which they are trained at sea spend less time in port. They have fewer opportunities to experience some of the unusual, often funny, and even downright goofy events that are recorded herein. However, the sea remains as it was.

Those same tales may come to the attention of the lads and lassies who have not yet graduated from high school and who are enamored with the sea as I was. Perhaps I knew a lad who went to sea will provide for them what a fabulous teacher provided for me, that is, encouragement and guidance for realization of my dream via the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

Louis D. Chirillo

P.S.: My stories are organized as four free books that can be accessed by the links that appear top left on this page.