Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

It was in the early spring of 1957 and our wing staff was having a meeting. On the agenda, among other things was the annual national U.S Air Force ROTC convention to be held in New York City and whether we were going to send one or more representatives. This would be held during the Easter Holidays. I looked around and there were no volunteers and so I said I would go in no one else was willing to attend.

The trip to New York would be by an Air Force C-119 cargo plane and would carry delegates from Universities and Colleges from all over Texas. We were to assemble at Hensley Field near Fort Worth early on the departure date. The flight took more than 12 hours, with a refueling stop in Mississippi. Upon restarting the engines, the right wing caught fire from the spilled fuel which caused some momentary excitement.

Along the way, the pilot took us almost directly over the White House in Washington. This was before the days of any thoughts of possible assassination attempts on the President. We finally landed in New York sometime after dark, having flown all day long. I had a sinus infection and this flight caused both of my eardrum’s to rupture and caused me to have a lot of pain and discomfort during the entire trip.

This convention was attended by representatives from colleges and universities from all over the United States, there must have been close to 1,000 cadet officers in attendance. However, since the agenda was pre-planned, I did not see that we were of much use. There was little actual debate or real discussion of any topic, I felt we were just acting as a collective rubber stamp.

What was of interest, at least at our table was the wait service. The waiters stood at attention all around the wall of the ballroom at each meal. At a hidden signal, they literally attacked our tables and threw plates at some distance to land perfectly placed at individual’s place. It was an interesting drill and well executed.

In the evenings we were on our own to go out on the town, one of my roommates and I wandered up along Central Park and entered a bar somewhere in that vicinity. Not having much experience with drinking, or ordering at a bar, I bellied up to the bar and ordered a double bourbon. It wasn’t more than 10 seconds, before a sweet young thing was hanging on my arm and cooing, “would you buy me a drink?” I have to say I was caught completely by surprise and what could a red-blooded man say, but “yes”. So, instantly, a very small bottle of champagne was on the bar and the barkeep said that will be $18.50~! I knew I had been trapped, but there was no way out. As soon as I paid, I grabbed the bottle of champagne and found my buddy and said, “lets get out of this joint!”

To the chagrin of other cadets who dated some of the female cadets attending the event, they found that every bar in Manhattan had a two-drink minimum or a cover charge. You could not enter any place for less! In addition, there were no place where anyone could go to the bathroom to relieve themselves other than back at the hotel where we were staying.

So, there were a lot of lessons learned in our visit to the Big Apple and many were quite expensive, since it had its hand in your pocket all the time you were there. Since then, I have been back many times and learned how to deal with it. But a long, tall Texan bellying up to the bar and ordering a double bourbon is not one of them. Just Sayin…RJS

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Good one RJS, $18.50 was a lot of cash back in that day!

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

I spent lots of time on C-119's and they are tough on the ears. New York is tough on the wallet. 1957 what a year that was.

Mike-1000 Loc: SE Mn. Between Winona Mn. and LaCrosse Wi.

RJS I would love to spend an evening around a campfire listening to you tell stories.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Mike-1000: Well, maybe if we get the Meet and Greet Rondezvous set up again, we can do just that!

However, why not join us on the Zoom Storytelling gig we are planning for June 6th, at 7:00 CST ???

Send me a PM if you want to be added to the list. I believe we have 7 or 8 already signed up. This one will simply be introductions and get acquainted, but should be fun. Just Sayin...RJS

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Hey Bob,
The Meet and Greet was exactly what came to my mind too....
I’ve gotta get to work on that soon!!

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

You are a big spender RJ! That 18.50 in 2021 dollars is 175.00!
My first full time pay check in 1971 was 135.00 take home.
To quote an old song....
“New York city,
you’re a woman,
cold hearted bitch is what you are to me,
you ain’t never loved nobody,
Yet I’m drawn to you like a moth to a flame.”
Remodeled kitchens in NYC. Learned quickly to go with a roll of twenties. Had to grease everyone. The parking attendant wanted twice as much for a spot—said he could fit two cars where my truck was and I had a short bed!
Food is great but it can cost twice as much on one street than another and can be deceiving..... Bought a frosted mug of beer and the frost was painted on the glass.
EVERYONE is next... walked in a deli for lunch, the clerk shouted who’s next and everyone including the guy who just walked in shouted back- I AM!
What’s good about New York? (Maybe I should be using the past tense)
Variety in everything.
Never had a bad cup of coffee.
Never closes.
You don’t have to wonder what people are thinking—they tell you.
You call a New Yorker a name they call you one back...Reminds me of a president we had... yeah he is from New York or was.....

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Sounds like Yokosuka

Mike-1000 Loc: SE Mn. Between Winona Mn. and LaCrosse Wi.

Sounds fun I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for the invite