| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| melody |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 09:08:53 AM
For a while now I have been part of a group on Face Book dedicated to the last air force base where my dad was stationed at K.I. Sawyer, Upper Peninsula of Michigan from late '68 until '72-Gosh it's so good to chat with former service men and women and the stories they tell.
I did not want my dad to retire after 20-years....just the thought of becoming a civilian made me very sad. And, believe you me it was a very difficult change after having spent my youth in the service and suddenly transitioning into the "normal" world especially at the ripe old age of 15! We ended up settling in a very, very small rural town where everybody knew everybody and resisted any newcomers--It was tough!
Anybody out there a former Armed Service brat? I would love to hear from you!
Melody
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| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 8:12:05 PM
Yep, Family...
The same time my dad was sent to Korea, our neighbor was sent to Vietnam... Daddy came home (nightmares and all) but our neighbor did not make it home. He left a wife and 7 kids to make a new life with out him.
The wives all supported each other and comforted each other.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| melody |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 09:12:26 AM
Exactly Shannon....We would head out to the movie theater on base on Saturdays (admission was $1.75!) and before the movie started the national anthem would play and EVERYONE in the theater stood up with respect that was as natural as breathing. I still get goose bumps when I hear the national anthem. My dad retired just as the Vietnam war was ending and I still recall watching our soldiers on tv come off the planes and walk the tarmac to greet their families. I cried like a baby. Even today, I feel a kinship with ex-service men and women-there is an instant bond.
Melody |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 08:52:20 AM
Being on base was incredibly safe... pedestrians truly had the right away. Doors were held open for wives, mothers, and children. Children behaved and were respectful. My mom use to drop me off at the BX to shop while she headed over to the Commissary, with no worries that anything would happen. Once I hit late high school, early college, I got to know some of the airmen. Stories they told me shook my confidence in the safety. When my hubby and I married, we were living in DE still, where he was stationed. About two years later, he got stationed down here to SC on a Special Duty assignment for the RTD (return to duty)program at the Navy Brig. Basically it was a cross between a drill instructor and parole officer, that gave airmen the opportunity to go through a six month boot camp/rehab to see if they were fit to return to duty after doing something "stupid," usually drugs. Long story short, my views of the safety of base changed during the next three years! The military has the same hard criminals as the civilian world! I no longer feel as safe on base. I cannot imagine letting my oldest walk around the BX without me! And unfortunately, I would say that much of the comraderie between military families is gone as well. Everyone does their own thing! Base housing is now privatized, so most people try to live off base. Not the same as when I was growing up, which wasn't that long ago! Yet there is still a pride when you hear the national anthem and EVERYTHING and EVERYONE stops, in silence and is respectful, be it in a salute or their hand over their heart. There is still a mournfulness whenever you hear Taps, with tears streaming down my face. There is still the respect and admiration for each spouse and family member, knowing that they serve this country just as much as the military members, themselves. There will always be a tenderness within for the military <3
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| melody |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 07:20:34 AM
I was trying to explain the feeling of life on base to my husband (a civilian) the other day and it was Grace----One BIG family. Everyone looked out for everyone including each others kids. I knew if I messed up my mom would find out cause everyone on our street kept a good look out. That feeling of security carried with me for a very long time. I felt safe on base. It was a wonderful and at the time an uncomplicated way of life. I have good memories of that time. Even though my dad was gone a lot of the time-one solid year in Iceland- and various TDY's it was a good life.
Melody |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 10:03:34 PM
yep, I too was an Army Brat... I still have my last ID card from when I was a teen. And I also still have my Dog Tags that we were issued as kids until we got ID cards.
Loved being an Army Brat... we were one big family.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 2:04:13 PM
I was ten. That is the age they still do it now. My oldest was super thrilled when she got hers as well!!!
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| melody |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 10:55:43 AM
I remember getting mine as well! I think I was 12 or 13. My dad took me to get photographed and handed me my ID after it was all set. I was then promptly told to give it to my mother for safe keeping. Funny...I had forgotten all about that until you mentioned it!
Melody |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 09:14:42 AM
I'm a Brat and now a wife :) I exchanged my military ID under my dad (I was in college at the time) for one under my hubby. I'll never forget the day I received my first ID card... my friends just did not understand the excitement, lol My hubby is planning to retire in two years. My oldest will be 13!
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
