AN OLD NAVY BUDDY

For a few weeks now, I have re-connected with an ole’ Navy buddy that I was over in Nam with and we were both aboard the same Destroyer in the Navy for just over 2 years.  I have been talking to him over the cell phone and texting back and forth.  He enformed me that he was going to be down at the Carlisle Fairgrounds for a very large car show where more than 8,000 vendors come in to display their products.  The show lasts until this Saturday.  So, since Carlisle is not that far away from me, I told him that I’d meet him there.  I have not seen John in more than 50 yrs.

So, with that in mind, yesterday morning I took a road trip down to Carlisle to see someone that I’ve not seen in so long.  Carlisle is about a 2 hr. drive from here.  I knew where is was, but not exactly.  Carlisle is located just below Harrisburg, PA.  I’ve passed by it a number of times but never knew there was a Fairgrounds there.  It’s a straight drive South on I-81. Get off the RT11 exit, travel about 3.5 miles and the Fairground is on your right.

Once there I had to locate a parking space!  This place is huge!  Bigger than what I thought.  I had thought in my mind’s eye that it would be just a few acres of tents and cars, but I was totally wrong!  There were tents and displays as far as you could see!  Lots and lot’s of products for your car.  Anything you could possibility want, you could find here.  Found a parking space that cost me $10.00 and then had to pay $10.00 to enter the Fairgrounds!  Did not expect that!

After entering the Show area, I called John to let him know I had arrived.  He told me how to get where he was.  After walking around, I finally met John after more than 50 yrs. have passed by.

Here is John that I haven’t seen in so long!  He has changed quite a bit, but I could tell it was him.  We both have gotten older, but allot wiser.  We had a good greeting and then started talking about our Lives up to now and where time has gone so fast.  We remembered old times aboard ship and all the crazy things we used to do just for the fun of it all.  From throwing coke cans at the Chinese Boarder Guards and giving them the “bird” until the US Marines chased us out of the area, to the times in Sydney, Austrailia, and Auckland, New Zealand,  NGFS (Naval Gunfire Support), Japan, Okinawa, and Pearl Harbor.  We had a nice long chat.  It was good to see and talk again with a long time friend.  John lives in Niagra Falls, NY where he has been most of his life.  Divorced once, but now re-married.  Wife is in a Nursing Home.  He lives alone.  Worked for a Chemical Company for 34 yrs. before retiring.  He is about 11 min. away from the famous Niagara Falls.

Then came time for me to hit the road for the drive back home.  I enjoyed my trip to see him.  We will still chat back and forth.  Maybe next year, I’ll meet up with him again if we both survive!

A 1932 Ford that I shot at the show.  Restored back to its original condition and a brand new paint job.  She was a real beauty to see.

Thank you.