The Slice: ‘Greatest’ goodbye one could imagine

Paul Turner is taking some time off this summer. In his absence, we dive into the archives at Slice Central. Today, we revisit June 28, 2002.

The Army-Navy rivalry isn’t always bitter.

Last weekend, Michaela Hoban’s family gathered to celebrate her graduation from Ferris High School and to say goodbye before she leaves for Army basic training in Missouri.

They bought tickets for a dinner cruise on the River Queen paddleboat, based in Post Falls.

“We found ourselves in the raucous company of 60 World War II Navy veterans of the battleship USS Idaho,” said Margaret Hoban, Michaela’s aunt.

The youngest vet was 77.

A woman who had helped organize the sailors’ reunion heard about Michaela going into the Army and expressed mock dismay about the branch of service she had chosen.

But as the boat was about to dock, a voice came over the loudspeaker and announced that the evening was a special occasion for a young lady named Michaela, who was about to enter the Army. The message went on, “The Navy wishes to congratulate her and wish her the best of luck in her career in the Army.”

And with that, the old guys who had served on the USS Idaho burst into cheering and applause.“What a gift for this young girl,” said Michaela’s aunt. “An ovation from 60 of the ‘greatest generation.’ ”

Annual reminder: If your 2002 New Year’s resolutions crashed and burned long ago, take heart. You get a second chance. Monday, the start of the seventh month, is Midyear Resolutions Day. And in case you are stumped for self-improvement themes, The Slice has one suggestion.

Resolve to surprise people.

Just wondering: Has anyone ever made a decision about attending a Spokane Indians game based on who they were playing?

More water dogs: Patricia Hosking sent a picture of her cock-a-poo, Mindy Poodle, sitting in an empty wading pool, apparently waiting for someone to fill it with water. “Determination and persistence always wins the day,” wrote Hosking.

Michele McInnis said her yellow Lab, Remington, also enjoys wallowing in a wading pool and other bodies of water. “He does not, however, like the sprinkler,” she wrote. “That’s where one of our cats spends its time.”

And Denise DeLeon reported that her golden retriever, Gypsy Rose, has a habit of “accidentally” dropping her ball into a pond so that she is forced to dive in and get it.

Today’s Slice question: What are some of your nicknames for kids in your neighborhood?