THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407270132
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: W12B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Twice a year since Dorothy Tuttle came to live at the Autumn Care Nursing Home, she has looked forward to seeing her boys. She ``loves 'em all.''
``They're wonderful,'' said the 81-year-old woman, who came to the center 11 years ago. ``Not many would do what they do. They're so sociable, just a touch makes you feel so good.''
Tuttle's health is too fragile for her to leave her bed, but her mind is still quicker than the winks she gives the young men.
``The boys'' who come to visit Tuttle, her daughter, Carol, and the 53 other residents of Autumn Care are members of the Chief Petty Officers Association, stationed at Northwest Naval Security Group Activity. They have been visiting the intermediate care facility for more than 20 years - once during the winter holidays and once in the summer.
Last week, the chiefs and the residents of Autumn Care had their annual picnic. The chiefs supplied everything from hot dogs and hamburgers, soft drinks and potato salad, to a keg of beer.
``Oh, we have a lot who look forward to the beer,'' said Linda Bailey, Autumn Care's activities director. ``Many groups come to visit, but no one else brings them beer. It's mostly the men who drink it. But the ladies just love to see the military men in their uniforms; they put on their Sunday best when they know the chiefs are coming.''
About 30 chiefs and six recently selected for the rank, along with Rita Brinkmann, the wife of Northwest's commanding officer, arrived at the nursing home last Wednesday morning just as the residents were being brought out to a shaded patio.
After more than a week of daily thunderstorms, no one seemed to mind that the day was bright and humid.
The military men and women prepared and served the food. Then the real visit - more like a reunion - began.
One chief after another squatted down next to ``Miss Dorothy's'' bed for a chat. A favorite with the men who have been stationed at Northwest, she knows many by name. Most of the chiefs refer to the fragile woman who has a smile for everyone as ``a real sweetheart.''
Chief Rondal Grubb has visited the nursing home twice. He grew up in a small Kentucky community, surrounded by grandparents and extended family.
``I came from a loving, tight family,'' Grubb said. ``I saw all my grandparents this way; now, they're all dead. I guess when I come out here, it's like seeing them again.''
Rebecca Bowman, 92, enjoys talking with the chiefs, whom she says she ``likes just fine,'' about church and singing. ``I was a great church lover and singer in my day, so we talk about that,'' she said.
Chief Willie Gann wasn't concerned whether the Autumn Care residents conversed with him at all; he seemed right at home just rubbing their backs and helping them with lunch.
Gann, a 47-year-old father of three, became emotional when he explained why he was willing to ``just be'' with the residents.
``They get put into homes, then people don't come to see them,'' Gann said. ``I'm not saying everyone's like that, but a lot are. I see them as people, not as castoffs. . . . I guess I feel empathy for them because I see me there.''
In addition to twice yearly visits to Autumn Care, the Northwest CPOA participates in Paint Your Heart Out, Adopt-A-School, Junior Achievement, Special Olympics and a number of other volunteer programs in the community. The group has donated many items to the nursing home, including televisions, radios and a camera.
``We want to demonstrate we're not just a bunch of beer-drinking chiefs,'' Command Master Chief Michael Ford said. ``We want to not only be a part of the community at Northwest, but we want to be a part of the civilian community, too.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CARL CASON
Autumn Care resident Dorothy Tuttle enjoys a visit from Chief Petty
Officer Rondal Grubb.
by CNB