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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 22, 2009, 06:24 PM:
This date might have passed without my noticing, but I caught mention of it on TV this afternoon.
It was early afternoon when we were assembled in the day room to watch a speech by President Kennedy. He showed photos of Cuban missle sites and announced a blockade.
Before we knew what was happening, the pay phones were not functioning and the doors were locked and we were being inoculated for several tropical diseases.
Then, Judge Advocate Corps came in and had everybody do a Last Will and Testement. Never had that before, even during the Berlin Crisis, which was another scary situation.
That evening we were driven by busses to El Paso International Airport and hearded onto civilian flights in full combat gear....with weapons, I might add. We had isle seats and the civilians that were not bumped, had window seats. The flight to New Orleans was extremely quiet.
We were transfered to a C141 to an unknown destination, which later turned out to be Eglin Air Force Base, and they put us up at the Eglin Yacht Club, of all places.
The next morning we had the entire 82nd Airborne on the tarmac in about 25? C124s, all engines whirling all ready to go. I don't remember how long it all lasted, but eventually they set up a chow line and we all waited for some word or somebody to blink.
I have talked to military people and never since WWII had they experienced censorship in their personal letters, but we did, and for the next SIX MONTHS. The 82nd flew home after three or four days, but we were there to maintain all capabilities and communications. And to play more poker than I had ever played, in my life.
People back home were digging bomb shelers and worrying, you can believe that. We have never been closer to war with the Soviets, I can assure you and to this day, supposedly, I am not allowed to talk about any of it, the goings on at Hurlburt Field, Guatamalan Air Force, the commandos, submarines and Russian frogmen, shots fired, etc.
I guess none of it ever happened?
Good hunting. LB
[ October 22, 2009, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on October 22, 2009, 11:27 PM:
I don't remember any of it. But then 45 years and three weeks ago tomorrow, I was born. Maybe that has something to do with it? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 23, 2009, 12:25 AM:
See? It all ended well, because of a few brave men, while you slept right through it. Ya know, I ain't making this shit up.
Kids, these days!
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on October 23, 2009, 07:48 AM:
I remember the bomb shelter days very well. I also remember that I got married on july 30th, 1960. The happiest time in my life was in 1959.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on October 23, 2009, 10:40 AM:
Uh huh. But, these kids have no concept. Why, back then, we didn't even have cell phones. No computer, is that pathetic, or what? Shit, one phone...with a long cord, and we thought THAT was a big deal.
I once got on a Continental flight with a Government 45 stuck down the front of my pants when they told me at the gate that I had to check my briefcase....through eleven time zones and a couple connections. What a fertile imagination! Get a net!
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on October 23, 2009, 11:40 AM:
"one phone...with a long cord, and we thought THAT was a big deal."
And those long distance calls were, like. 25-cents a minute, which in today's money would be like $2 or so a minute.
Just young enough to have missed recall of the Cuban crisis, but I'm not worried. I'm sure that Pbo will see that we get another one just like it for the up and comers.
Posted by Aznative (Member # 506) on October 23, 2009, 07:25 PM:
I remember Kennedy being on this old black and white tv we had showing the pictures of missles and stuff. I was about 10 at the time. That ole tv had a round picture tube and it had to have the vertical hold adjusted on it several times per show. We had just gotten rid of the party line and moved up to a private phone line. Back then a Democrat was probably more conservative than many Rinos today. Nowadays a new democrat=old socialists
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