Читать книгу Adventures In Navyland - Joe Psy.D. Callihan - Страница 6

Warning, this chapter contains some shocking revelations. There are humorous events, as well as those which can make you angry.

Do such things still go on today? Perhaps they do. Once you are in the military, especially during the draft, you become know as a “government issue” soldier, a G.I. No longer is there anyone to complain about how just or unjust you are being treated, they simply don’t care!

I held off for as long as I could, but on the 1^st-14^th of May I was finally attending the Great Lakes Training Center outside Chicago.

I had been warned it would still be cold up there. Most of those from Florida who went there during winter came back with bad colds or pneumonia. Not wishing this to happen to me, I decided to take up the Theodore Roosevelt method of building up my resistance. Sickly as a child, Teddy believed in testing his body by exposure to harsh elements of nature through hiking, mountain climbing, etc. This had the desired effect, as he grew stronger in health.

So, although it was cold in Florida that winter, with temperatures sometimes dipping into the thirty’s, I would venture outside wearing just a sweater, repeatedly telling myself I was not really cold. I was attending Junior College then, and you can imagine the kinds of looks I drew. You could almost read their minds. “This College must have poor standards, letting someone with such an obviously low IQ in here. I bet he must be some rich kid.” As my teeth were chattering, and I was trying to convince myself they were not; I kind of believed the same thing the others must be thinking about me. But my intention was to build up my resistance to the cold, and it worked.

This was my first ride on a jet, so I was looking forward to this new adventure. Unfortunately I let the lady sitting beside me know this was my first jet plane ride. She would not stop talking; trying to reassure me everything would be alright. She told me about what a seasoned air traveler she was. I knew everything was going to be O.K. because I had prayed, asking God to let me have a safe trip. But wouldn’t you know it? As we neared Chicago we hit some really turbulent weather. The plane bounced up and down, continuing to do so even after we had climbed higher. Outside, the wings were flapping up and down. Seeing this, the lady sitting next to me began to panic. “This is the worst I have ever seen! I’ve never seen the wings flapping like that! I hope they stay on!” I wound up having to reassure and calm her down. But the worst was yet to come.

At O’Hare Airport we were all loaded into a bus going to the base. Guys from all over the country filled that bus. One of the first things was getting more uniforms issued, including the important “P” coat. That was the absolute BEST wool coat for keeping warm I have ever had! Next up, came the dreaded haircut. I watched as the speed barbers made my fellow sailors bald. It was almost as if they were in a racing contest with one another. It reminded me of the time when I had once gotten my haircut at Webb’s City.

This recollection saved my hair. You see, Webb’s City was called the World’s Most Unusual Drug Store. It boasted of its low prices. The barber shop had approximately 50 chairs in a U shape.

50 cent haircuts were considered a bargain, in the days of one dollar haircuts. I went there once and watched as the customer sat down in the chair. Barely did they get it warm, when the barber helped push them out, shouting, “Next!” This same kind of action was happening here at Boot Camp.

Fortunately, I got a barber who had visited St. Petersburg. Not knowing this, I said to him as I sat down in the chair: “This reminds me of Webb’s City back home.” “How is old Doc Webb?” was his reply. “A-ha,” I said, “You used to work for him didn’t you?” Laughing, he said, “No, but I’ve been there, and I know what you mean. He then asked me, how would you like your hair cut?” “Could you leave me a little to part?” “Sure can!” When it was over, many of the other guys in my company asked me, “how come you still have hair?” I just said, “The barber was a friend from back home.”