Three generations of Buchanans spent time in the Navy-- (from left) Dennis, Edwin and Christopher. Visit the Photo Place

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Third generation serves in Navy

Like father, like son, like grandson: Third generation of family to serve in Navy

By RACHELLE STIGER

Date published: 3/3/2004

By RACHELLE STIGER 'Sea stories' keep holidays lively

When Christopher Buchanan finished Navy boot camp Dec. 22 in Great Lakes, Ill., he joined the ranks of his father and grandfather.

Edwin "Buck" Buchanan served in the Navy from 1944 to 1947, and Dennis "Buck" Buchanan served from 1971 to 1977. Both are Spotsylvania County residents.

Christopher is a 1999 graduate of Fredericksburg Christian Academy.

Over Christmas, the three generations exchanged "sea stories," sailors' tales, Dennis said. Although, for now, they have only boot camp in common. In separate interviews, each man recounted what they talked about.

Dennis was interested to hear how his son's experiences at boot camp compared to his own.

Christopher described a mentally draining and physically exhausting eight weeks. He told his dad about "battle stations," the equivalent of a final exam. It's a series of disaster simulation exercises the recruits must conquer, all while staying awake for 30 continuous hours.

After passing "battle stations," Christopher's company got to exchange recruit ball caps for ones that say "Navy." "It was one of the emotionally moving moments in boot camp because we knew we were done, at least we thought we were done," Christopher said.

What the company didn't know was that, after sleeping for only 45 minutes that night, they would be awakened, this time to find four pretend explosives hidden around the base.

"[The Navy doesn't] want you to stop and think in an emergency situation," said Christopher.

They challenge recruits in this way, he said, to "break down the individual and bring him back up as a team member."

Dennis doesn't remember any breaking down in his 13-week boot camp. "I don't know if I could have gone through that," Dennis told his son.

When Dennis entered the Navy, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. was in command. Under Zumwalt's leadership, regulations on hair length and uniforms, among other things, were relaxed; it was referred to as "the new Navy."

Boot camp in 1971 was simply meant to be a transition from civilian life to military life, Dennis said. During their spare time, Dennis and his buddies would head over to the recreation hall where they could play pool and other games.

"They let you guys have fun?"

Christopher asked his dad in shock.

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Date published: 3/3/2004