Memories of Hopedale
I arrived at the 923rd from "The Goose" on an "Okanagan Group" helicopter in mid June, 1963. After stepping down off the helicopter, the very first question I was asked was "How many days have you got left?" It was a rhetorical question designed to let me know that I had 365 days to do here at Hopedale AFS.
We had a nearly total solar eclipse on July 20, 1963. It was a really clear and warm day. I remember several people, with welding glasses over their camera lenses, and their cameras on tripods, photographing the eclipse.
Most Americans, who are old enough, remember where they were and what they were doing on November 22, 1963. That Friday I was on KP duty in the mess hall. In the afternoon, over the squadron PA system, the announcement was made that our President, John F. Kennedy, had been shot and killed in Dallas. I remember we were all shocked and stunned by this awful news.
We had a theatre on base where recently released movies were shown. I remember seeing the very first of the "James Bond, 007" movies, "Dr. No" starring Sean Connery. I am sure I saw many other movies, but Dr. No was the only memorable one.
I remember those cold, clear night skies. The contrast of the brightness of the stars against the blackness of the sky was breathtaking. I remember setting up my camera on a tripod and taking long time exposures of the stars as they rotated around Polaris. On some nights the northern lights were bright enough to read by when there was snow on the ground.
Our tour of duty was 1 year. When each of us got down to the last couple of months of our assignment, we all began to anticipate our departure. When orders arrived, each of us would print the word "FIGMO", on our nametag, which meant, Finally I Got My Orders. Another anxiously anticipated time was our "Chopper Day", which was posted on the squadron bulletin board, and was the day the Okanagan Group helicopter transported us back to The Goose.
My chopper day was in mid June 1964, and I was up early. I said my "good byes" to all my friends who would soon be following me. The day was clear and warm and I remember hearing and seeing that chopper while it was still a long way away. It was an angel coming to take me back to civilization.
I remember a young airman stepping down from that chopper and it was obvious he was one of the new replacement personnel. I introduced myself, and wished him well in his new assignment. I decided not to ask, "How many days have you got left"?
Thanks for the Memories.
This detail was provided by ex A/1C Millard C. Jones who worked in Radar Maintenance during his tour at Hopedale.