CBS SUNDAY MORNING NEWS briefly mentioned Coney
Island. Anna asked me if I ever went to
Coney Island, which I was stationed not for from New York Ciity. No.
However! I have been
to Seaside Heights, about 15 miles from our base.
Seaside Heights was about like Coney Island, I think. There was a boardwalk which was opened only
in the tourist season. That had lots of
rides and games to win teddy bears and Kewpie Dolls and things; and lot of food
joints, some seasonal and some not.
Near was Murphy’s.
Murphy’s was an Italian Bar. They
had people who attended regularly, probably were neighbors. One regular attendee was Barney the Paper
Boy. Barney was in his late 70s or so.
He cried during sing-a-longs. He
also had a paper route. There was also
an ageless Radio City ex-Rockett who
liked the sing-a-longs.
My co-worker went there often and impressed the females by
telling them he was a Navy officer, a pilot.
Which worked impressing them and it
was a riot when they introduced him to another Navy Pilot. The other pilot was
in our Squadron and caught on immediately and went along with it.
I forgot how we met a group of teachers who lived in New
York City. They chipped in and had a
beach house. We became regular visitors
at the beach house. Our division officer
enjoyed hearing our snafus at the teachers’ beach house and wanted to get in on
the action and went with us a few times.
As I mentioned, Don told the girls he was a Navy Officer, our division
Officer told them he was enlisted.
Everybody was happy.
Off season, Seaside Heights was empty of people, music, and
all, it was either sad or remorse, sort of, which was perfect for thinking.
I remember spending time with a few of us walking on the
beach November 1963, wondering about JFK’s assignation, and what now? Life goes on.
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