Gitmo, 1968-1969
I arrived here from Norfolk in January of 1968 and departed in August of 1969. I was a commissaryman 3rd class petty officer (cook) at Bay Hill Galley. When working the steam kettles I often had a wet towel around my neck to help stay cool. I lived in a separate barracks across from the galley for all the cooks called the “cook shack.” We had a small patio behind the barracks where we sat in the evenings and told stories and sang country music. Being a cook had some advantages as we could go…
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It would be great if I get to meet you in October. Enjoy the summer, Gary!
John, I see you were at Willow Grove. When I went off active duty in '66, I joined the reserves in Buffalo. I transferred to Navel Air because the week-end warriors worked better than going every Wednesday. We used to fly S2's to Willow Grove. I went there several times for schools. I remember sitting in the "19th Hole" a bit. The last class I went to there, I was the only enlisted person in the class. It proved to be an interesting couple of weeks. I'll look at October. I've been gone more than home for the last two years. -- Gary
Gary, I see that you live in SC. Why don't you try to join us for this year's GITMO reunion in Chattanooga.
The base library, coffee shop, open air theatre, photo hobby shop, beaches, fishing boats and sail boats were good diversions when we were off duty.
I was amazed, but pleased to find that there were fast food restaurants on base. I remember on a trip to Kingston Jamaica, ordering a burger in what was reported to be a "good" restaurant. It looked like a burger, but did not taste like beef, and the only condiments that tasted like home was the onion. The catsup and mustard looked the part, but that was as close as it got.
When I was working for Burns and Roe on the water plant we ate at the air station, and it was very good chow. Bay Hill fed good, too. After transferring out and going to ComCruDesLant, and serving on two destroyers, I would have liked to go back to GTMO. As you know, when a tin can is in rough seas, and storms, cooking may or may not happen, and being able to eat, and keep it, may, or may not happen. Tied up, the destroyer food was not bad.
I think the place we spent the most time was at the coffee shop across the street from the library. It would have been between the open air theater and the main road to the Marine base and NSD / FTG / Windward AirBase. I'm way to old to remember this stuff...... -- Gary
I would like any GTMO insignias or artifacts for posterity. My family and I really enjoyed our 18 month stay at GTMO and am in the process of writing my memoirs to leave to my children, Grandchildren and Greatgrandchildren. Thanks to you all
Thank you John, I stand corrected. It was the base chapel, not a specific denomination. Also, I was also in the other barracks. I was on the first floor, right side looking at it from the pool. -- Gary
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