"Don White" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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Cool article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/ny...11journal.html

Yes, it can be neat living in a military town.
In the early 60s we spent many a summer day trying to convince 'merican
sailors off the old aircraft carriers to give us their Popeye hats.
We usually had to pretend we would introduce them to our older sisters.
And what a thrill to ride the aircraft elevators during the open house
days. I can still remember the oil/jet fuel smell on those ships.
I actually grew up on the same city block as the old infamous 'Seagull
Club'....... which acted as the fleet club in town including dormitory
accomodations for sailors who didn't want to live on ship while on shore.
The action we used to see down there...fighting, shore patrols from both
navies trying to keep order....
all the old scrags from miles around willing to help those young Yankees
spend every last cent etc.
After a sailor was found dead outside the back of the building one
morning, plans went ahead to build a new Fleet Club on the base. Sure
calmed the neighbourhood down.


I wonder if being in Brooklyn kept the sailors a bit more subdued than if
they'd been in a more pastoral setting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/ny...html?th&emc=th