Frolicking at Seaside Heights, NJ

Me as "Old Man of the Sea", off season

Nuns frolicking on the Boardwalk of Seaside Heights (off Season)

 

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.