The Ventures

-->

I loved the Ventures. Sandy and I bought an album that was one of the first we ever purchased as a married couple. We were living in an apartment in Rockland Massachusetts, close to the Naval Air Station, South Weymouth. The year was 1967. The album had a surfer on the front as I remember, but maybe not.  

I have always assumed that they were from Ventura California. It was close to the huge Seabee base in Port Hueneme where I went to Class A School to be a construction electrician in the winter of 1965.

I will never forget when our D.I., First Class Construction Electrician Rumsey, shouted out, after school, while in ranks after our run around the base perimeter, "We have a war in Vietnam, who wants to go?" Did any of you veterans see him "in country?" He did three tours.

It was the very first time I had ever heard of that country. I remember thinking that I would prefer duty somewhere near Boston, but thank you for asking.

Bacon R.F. CEW2    693-10-63 

(My enlistment date # was 693-10-63. 10 is the month. 1963 was the year. JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963.)

Combination lock issued at Great Lakes in Chicago at Boot Camp in 1963. The combination was 24-28-32. I still have it. It still works. So do I. Somewhat.

Atwells Ave. - August 4

-->

This is a church up on Federal Hill that until last night, I had never seen before.

 Beautiful expensive cars. Valet parking. Girls in tight dresses. Old people dancing to Francis Sinatra music at DePasquale Square near America Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Free parking if you know where. Eat your heart out, North End of Beantown.

Everyone was out last night. So many new Italian restaurants.

I sent my Navy friend John a photo of an old, perfect, black and chrome Harley that was sitting sideways on Atwells Ave, at the cigar store across from the tattoo place.

I had an iced cappuccino with a shot of sambuca as a night cap. Hmmm . . . It was the perfect night to be "on the Hill."

Rhode Island girls make me smile. Rhode Island mafioso types make Sandy smile.

Google “DePasquale Square in Providence” and find the 1:17 winter video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQ4_1feZO4

The girls go by

dressed up for each other.

And the boys do the boogie woogie

on the corner of the street.

And the people passin’ by

just stare in wild wonder.

And the inside jukebox

roars out just like thunder.

“Wild Night” by Van Morrison