Lawton veteran gives new meaning to 'ship-shape'
By Tim Gallagher, tgallagher@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jon and Gloria Zook of rural Lawton, Iowa, look over pictures Gloria took Oct. 6 when Jon joined 200 former crew members aboard the USS Intrepid as it moved from Staton Island to Pier 86 at Manhattan. Jon Zook served aboard the USS Intrepid for three years in the 1950s. (Photo by Tim Gallagher)
LAWTON, Iowa -- In a 32-year Navy career, Jon Zook gave and took orders. Some simple, many complex.
Zook, 72, now must order his own feet to move. They do, but slowly.
Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.
"It takes a long time for me to turn around or back up," said Zook, demonstrating a 60-second U-turn. "With Parkinson's disease, I have to consciously tell my feet to move."
A natural lefty, Zook also trained himself to write right-handed. Parkinson's, the disease that afflicted the late Pope John Paul II and actor Michael J. Fox, causes Zook's left hand to shake uncontrollably at times.
But like I said, Zook can still follow orders. And when the call came to board his old Navy aircraft carrier last month, Zook sprang into action.
"I wouldn't have missed that for all the tea in China," he said.
Zook spent four hours aboard the USS Intrepid Oct. 6 as the ship moved from Staten Island to Manhattan's Pier 86. The former boiler technician was one of 200 past crew members manning the rail as the ship was tugged past the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center site.
President George W. Bush spoke aboard the Intrepid on Veterans Day Tuesday as the 65-year-old carrier returned to its role as a floating sea and air-space museum.
Officials moved the 42-ton ship to New Jersey earlier this year to have it refurbished while addressing structural needs at Pier 86. Former crew members were invited to board the ship for one last ride as it moved back to Manhattan.
Zook and wife, Gloria, filled out the application, but noticed a caveat: "If you're using a cane or a walker, you would not be allowed," Gloria said.
Uh-oh.
"I told Gloria I wouldn't take my cane," said Zook, who spent three years aboard the ship as it patrolled the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic in the Cold War 1950s. "I was going come hell or high water or Parkinson's."
Zook's son, Jay, a retired U.S. Navy senior chief, accompanied his father while Gloria snapped photos with other sailors' family members on a yacht escort.
"Jay said his dad didn't need any assistance on the ship," Gloria said. "He said Jon was just like a teen."
"This time, when we left I teared up," Jon Zook said as he looked over photos. "When I was young, I didn't have that feeling."
Jon Zook graduated from East High on a Friday in May 1955. Two days later, he signed up for service in the Navy. For much of the next three years, he was one of 3,500 crew members aboard one of the Navy's most famous ships.
Following his four-year tour, Zook returned to Sioux City and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for 28 years. His career with the Sioux City Police Department spanned 31 years. The man many know as Sgt. Zook retired in 1994.
For the past decade or so he has kept busy at home with yard work and computer challenges.
Parkinson's, diagnosed for Zook in 2002, keeps him challenged as well.
But for one October day, his physical challenges were a world away.
"I didn't have any problems standing up that day," Zook said. "They figure it will be 50 years before the ship moves again. I don't think I'll be around to ride it then."
Zook, 72, now must order his own feet to move. They do, but slowly.
Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.
"It takes a long time for me to turn around or back up," said Zook, demonstrating a 60-second U-turn. "With Parkinson's disease, I have to consciously tell my feet to move."
A natural lefty, Zook also trained himself to write right-handed. Parkinson's, the disease that afflicted the late Pope John Paul II and actor Michael J. Fox, causes Zook's left hand to shake uncontrollably at times.
But like I said, Zook can still follow orders. And when the call came to board his old Navy aircraft carrier last month, Zook sprang into action.
"I wouldn't have missed that for all the tea in China," he said.
Zook spent four hours aboard the USS Intrepid Oct. 6 as the ship moved from Staten Island to Manhattan's Pier 86. The former boiler technician was one of 200 past crew members manning the rail as the ship was tugged past the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center site.
President George W. Bush spoke aboard the Intrepid on Veterans Day Tuesday as the 65-year-old carrier returned to its role as a floating sea and air-space museum.
Officials moved the 42-ton ship to New Jersey earlier this year to have it refurbished while addressing structural needs at Pier 86. Former crew members were invited to board the ship for one last ride as it moved back to Manhattan.
Zook and wife, Gloria, filled out the application, but noticed a caveat: "If you're using a cane or a walker, you would not be allowed," Gloria said.
Uh-oh.
"I told Gloria I wouldn't take my cane," said Zook, who spent three years aboard the ship as it patrolled the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic in the Cold War 1950s. "I was going come hell or high water or Parkinson's."
Zook's son, Jay, a retired U.S. Navy senior chief, accompanied his father while Gloria snapped photos with other sailors' family members on a yacht escort.
"Jay said his dad didn't need any assistance on the ship," Gloria said. "He said Jon was just like a teen."
"This time, when we left I teared up," Jon Zook said as he looked over photos. "When I was young, I didn't have that feeling."
Jon Zook graduated from East High on a Friday in May 1955. Two days later, he signed up for service in the Navy. For much of the next three years, he was one of 3,500 crew members aboard one of the Navy's most famous ships.
Following his four-year tour, Zook returned to Sioux City and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for 28 years. His career with the Sioux City Police Department spanned 31 years. The man many know as Sgt. Zook retired in 1994.
For the past decade or so he has kept busy at home with yard work and computer challenges.
Parkinson's, diagnosed for Zook in 2002, keeps him challenged as well.
But for one October day, his physical challenges were a world away.
"I didn't have any problems standing up that day," Zook said. "They figure it will be 50 years before the ship moves again. I don't think I'll be around to ride it then."
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Todd Oehlerking wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:52 PM:
Mary larsen wrote on Nov 16, 2008 11:33 PM:
Mary Larsen
Goodyear, AZ "