Dear Fellow Jupiter’s,
As we come to the end of what has been a momentous year for all the wrong reasons, I just thought it would be good to cast aside Covid worries, pay our respects and farewells to Admiral Geoffrey (and of course send our best wishes to Lady Jane and her family), and remember that all is not locked-down and dark.
The very reason we’re all part of such a vibrant Association is to revel in the comradeship of the Royal Navy, no matter how long we were a part of it, and remember the good times and runs ashore that we all enjoyed – particularly those from JUPITER! I well remember Christmas 1986, when trials delays and the operational programme gave our ship a split BOST either side of the festive season. Even the FOST Staff felt a bit of sympathy (honest!) – but it was incredible how that ship’s company bounced back, largely sober, in the New Year and reached a ‘Good’ outcome three weeks later. The spirit of JUPITER in action!
For me, the end of 2020 must be a bit like that of 1940 – the end of a desperate year and much uncertainty about the future. I wonder how our forebears in F85 were feeling eighty years ago in Guzz, eighteen months into her first commission and after an exciting season in home waters. Little did they know what lay ahead for them, but I suspect they enjoyed their Christmas as much as Jack always has, with a few tots and a large dollop of duff. They were sent back to sea on 28 December!
So, although our reunion had to be cancelled along with so many other social and remembrance events, let’s look to the future as we always have - with good humour, optimism and confidence. If nothing else, most of us are probably in the first few groups to get the vaccine!
May I wish you all a very happy (and merry!) Christmas, and we’ll all look forward to a better New Year.
Very best wishes,
Barry