Editor’s Note: We suspected there might be a reaction from others who have strode in bold and liberated step down Magsaysay Boulevard in Olongapo City, Republic of the Philippines. Some may quibble about the before and after visions of that marvelous city before the paving of the street and after that event. There was a unique relation of our public persona to whether we were saying farewell to an interesting and untrammeled version of life ashore, or returning to it after the rigors of a deployment, eager for rest and beer. That can lead to tumult and joy.

– Vic

+++++

“Sweet Memories”! “BZ” Vic!!
Mongo

+++++

Vic. why do you keep tweaking my memories? First (of three) Seventh Fleet tours – (all during the build-up to and conduct of the Vietnam war) Staff COMPHIBGRU ONE, (62-63) homeported at Subic. Remember so well the O’Clubs at Subic and Cubi – (First son born at the Cubi Hospital) and Olongapo. Needed some repair on the interior of my 61 Plymouth Valiant, took it out to a recommended place there, but concerned about theft or sabotage. So, one night while it was out there, Nancy and I (and another couple – safety in numbers) decided to have dinner out there so I could check on my car. Got there had dinner and I walked across the street to see if I could find my car. I did – and walked over to it to see if everything was AOK. Whoa! there was a guy asleep on the back seat – obviously a guard to see that the car was not molested. WOW! And wonderful!

Thanks for the memories – Sid

+++++

As I read this, I could hear the lyrics of a song in my mind: “We’ve got to get out of this place. If it’s the last thing we ever do. We’ve got to get out of this place and make a better life for me and you.” I’m not sure we did but we tried and, in the final analysis, that’s all that can be asked of us.

Thanks, Arrias

++++

Copyright 2022 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com