My favorite book in college was The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway. I read it while attending college at UCLA. I met True Father for the first time when he came to America, landing in Los Angeles. And in short order, I dropped out of school (much to the despair of my father) and began working with True Father's first speaking tour in America, originating in New York City.
Since 1979, I was involved with the ocean in one way or another. When the Good-Go boats were built, I was really drawn to the sea, mostly on the Pacific Ocean side of things. I've worked in San Diego, Baja California, Mexico, San Francisco, Hawaii, and Alaska. I traveled the whole West Coast, towing oil barges. I actually spent more time in San Francisco, at the refinery docks, than at home for a couple of years.
I spent time with True Father in many of these places, as well as Gloucester and New York, and created a Holy Ground with other members in San Diego, overlooking the Pacific down into Mexico. I’ve gone there regularly for years. I learned was that indemnity equals hard work. This has stuck with me for many years: "You can always out-work others." You learn this especially when you fish with True Father. He might not be the best, but he'll out-work anyone. At times, the work is long and dangerous. There Father was able to chat with me about the future, where I might live, and my wife. "So David, where would you like to live, San Diego or Alaska?" After a pause to think, I said "Both." Laughter from everyone. "You have the heart of a fisherman," he said.
There are many beautiful places out west and good men who work at sea. There are many terrible places with terrible people as well. The most beautiful place I ever saw was the Greenville Channel in British Columbia. The cruise ships can't fit in the channel. Only smaller boats and tugs travel there. It is dramatic beyond words. It is the best argument for the existence of God I've found. You don't need to say a word.
Looking back, I think it is a good idea to spend some time at sea - at least two years. It can change your life, make you humble and careful in your actions, and give you deeper insight into people, nature, and God. There are many brave and capable men who work at sea, better mariners than me, better people. There are many in our church, mostly overlooked, or forgotten. It is worthwhile hearing their stories. For them, like me, their journey began with hearing the Divine Principle. For me, it began in the desert in the spring of 1970 and ended at sea.
From Tribute, 211, 213-14.