Things I Remember about Phan Rang

I was a protective equipment specialist with the 614th TFS from July 15 1970 to July 15 1971. I worked under SSgt Rice from New Jersey and with a John Wayne Palmer from Monroe Georgia. I was lucky enough to work in an air conditioned building with tile floors. Only place in four years of duty. We lost two pilots the year I was there. Maj Beurke and Capt Jeffs. Jeffs has a star next to his name on the wall. Never found him. I remember Capt Tomlins, I believe he clipped the tail off the suadron commander's F-100 while making a manuever with another pilot. He also ripped the belly out of one coming in too soon and hit the runway lights. A memorable character. Our hooch maid's name was Hum. Beautiful hip-length black hair. Worry about what became of her. The outdoor theater and the Aussie shows. They had the best looking women. The night a bird sat on the fret of a guitar for most of a tune during one performance. Just like the Woodstock logo. The Philipino Bands, couldn't speak english but could sing just about anything. The NCO club on the hill. Long walk up. My barracks was across the street from the Mess Hall. The putt-putt course and the slot car track at the Rec center. What a blast that was, while it lasted. The Red Cross girls whose names escape me, God Bless 'em. The night a pissed-off Marine threw a grenade into the base swimming pool and set off an alert. Also the day some dumb-ass fragged a Security Police cookout on their patio. I think it was one dead, six wounded. The bus ride to the beach. Almost drowned one day. Closer than I ever want to come again. The ride to the beach with five other guys in a pickup and with just one M-16 among us, just in case. A little tense then. The Supply side of the base had the better chow hall. Worth the drive over there when the squadron orderly could get the truck. Was his name Williams, from California as was a James Henry. Loved the baseball games between the officers and noncoms. Pilots usually won. Maybe we just let them. Most of all, I'll not forget Chistmas Eve of '70. What a party we had at the barracks. Even some of the pilots showed up for it. At Midnight the base went crazy, people setting off illuminationa and emergency flares all over the place. Fire department went nuts putting out small fires all over the base. New Years eve fell short of that night. Warm beer and sodas. Could never find enough ice. The clouds, God how I remember the sky over VietNam. Used to walk the mile to work just at sunrise and sometimes just stop in my tracks to watch the show. Funny how it all stays with you.