Some say that I wake up in a new world every fifteen minutes. If I ever knew that the home of the Blue Angels was the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL, I had forgotten it. I emailed my former sister-in-law to ask about when Ronnie was stationed at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. There were living their when my niece was born.
She mentioned that Ronnie drove past the hangar for the Blue Angels every day when he reported for duty. She added in passing, the base hospital where my niece was born was originally a barrack that had been renovated. Some years later when she went back to Pensacola, she was pleased to find the barrack hospital had been replaced. They now had a real hospital.
I've heard the question, "Were you born in a barn?" It generally references someone who seems uncouth or unsophisticated. I've not heard the question: "Were you born in a barrack?" It could reference someone who is always at war. Idon't know about you, but I've known people like that.
Of course, my niece was born over 52 years ago. I can imagine that many changes on the base in the last half century. The Naval Air Station Pensacola is known as: "The Cradle of Naval Aviation."
Interestingly, a friend sent me an email yesterday saying that if I found myself on Creighton Road, it was named after his mother's family. Would you believe, my hotel was on Creighton Road?
My friend's mother's father was the county judge in Pensacola. He wasn't an attorney, so the role may have been similar to that thought of today a county commissioner.
His grandfather owned a dairy farm and a general store. When the depression hit, his grandfather let people have bread and milk on credit and told them they could pay him back whenever.
Perhaps his act of kindness endeared him to people. When he ran for county judge he won. When he was up for reelection, the candidates gave speeches in the town square and people came from all over.
His grandfather's opponent pointed out that during his first term, he had the road in front of his home paved. When his grandfather subsquently rose to speak, he responded that anyone who is the county judge and does not have the road in front of his own home paved, is a damn fool! The crowd laughe, and the judge was reelected.
The General's youngest uncle also responded to yesterday's blog. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. While there, or following his discharge, he attend photography school in Pensacola. He said he has visited there many times.
He also added in passing, that this youngest sister intervened by telling his Mama when he was perched to parachute off of the barn.
I was actually very favorably impressed with Pensacola. I've added to my list of places to revisit.
All My Best!
Don