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BREMEHAVEN, GERMANY
An indispensable radio repairman, granddaddy JC was stationed in Bremerhaven Germany.
In 1968, JC (a major sergeant first class) needed to go back to the states for Norman’s funeral. The general said JC would have to reenlist if he left and wanted to come back to Bremerhaven (JC was coming up on retirement).
So, instead of reenlisting, he decided to retire. The guy that replaced JC had no idea how to maintain the equipment; and the commander over JC was a bum (according to granddad). JC told the commander about the repairman's incompetence, but the commander did nothing.
Granddad brushed up the satellite to run for several months after he left, but warned the commander that the repairman didn't know how to fix it.
Well, later, a fellow retiree/buddy from NC showed up at JC's house in SC. (JC was keeping the kids while Izzy was teaching during the day - he was working the night shift).
JC: It sure is great to see you.
Buddy: Would you like to know what happened after you left?
JC: Sure.
Buddy: The Bremerhaven station went down for 2 weeks, and they ended up court marshalling the commander. He was up for retirement soon, so it didn't ruin his career, but he ended up losing a stripe. And a TON of retirement money.
Izzy’s side: “Well, he (JC) left first. And I had to clear out quarters.”
<that means packup and move>
She packed out the house and lived with a friend for a few days (and used her kitchen)
She had 6 kids plus their luggage. To catch the flight, they had to take 2 taxis. Bob and Grace were late, and grandma was having a fit.
She went up to the line and the man at the ticket counter said, 'I see you on the itinerary, but no children. I’m sorry; you'll just have to wait for a different plane.'
"I’ll take that ticket. YOU take the children."
BREMEHAVEN, GERMANY
An indispensable radio repairman, granddaddy JC was stationed in Bremerhaven Germany.
In 1968, JC (a major sergeant first class) needed to go back to the states for Norman’s funeral. The general said JC would have to reenlist if he left and wanted to come back to Bremerhaven (JC was coming up on retirement).
So, instead of reenlisting, he decided to retire. The guy that replaced JC had no idea how to maintain the equipment; and the commander over JC was a bum (according to granddad). JC told the commander about the repairman's incompetence, but the commander did nothing.
Granddad brushed up the satellite to run for several months after he left, but warned the commander that the repairman didn't know how to fix it.
Well, later, a fellow retiree/buddy from NC showed up at JC's house in SC. (JC was keeping the kids while Izzy was teaching during the day - he was working the night shift).
JC: It sure is great to see you.
Buddy: Would you like to know what happened after you left?
JC: Sure.
Buddy: The Bremerhaven station went down for 2 weeks, and they ended up court marshalling the commander. He was up for retirement soon, so it didn't ruin his career, but he ended up losing a stripe. And a TON of retirement money.
Izzy’s side: “Well, he (JC) left first. And I had to clear out quarters.”
<that means packup and move>
She packed out the house and lived with a friend for a few days (and used her kitchen)
She had 6 kids plus their luggage. To catch the flight, they had to take 2 taxis. Bob and Grace were late, and grandma was having a fit.
She went up to the line and the man at the ticket counter said, 'I see you on the itinerary, but no children. I’m sorry; you'll just have to wait for a different plane.'
"I’ll take that ticket. YOU take the children."
Well, he could tell she was serious. He made arrangements, and suddenly there was room on the plane :)
They bumped a few GIs, who were all sitting around and very graciously said, 'no problem' when she explained she had bumped their seats.
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