We Meet Again

By John Sechrist

My name is Tom Pyle. Sitting here, looking back at my life, I had an interesting life while in the Air Force, until being involved in an Airplane crash. When released from active duty, I was positive I had a job waiting with IBM, only to find out there were big problems that lie ahead! A brief encounter with a waitress in Texas, who, at the time was married and had a baby. I had many friends that tried to help me along my travels! This is the story of my travels from Texas to California, where I thought I found someone to love, only to lose her. This is a story about my friends I made along the way and the problem that kept following me! The transfer to Indiana, living with my parents and hoping all would be right, but only to find out the problem was still there! After almost a year since I left Texas, and ended up in Indiana, fate intervened. This is how a Major and a General in the Air Force helped me with my problem and how my life was changed forever!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329733190

Book preview

We Meet Again

We Meet Again

By: John Sechrist

Here it is, almost ten tonight and I still have a ton of preflight to do. Staff Sergeant Tom Pyle was sitting in the debriefing room at Carswell AFB, going over the maps of the area they were going to be flying to and also looking at what the big wigs wanted him to do.  He kept trying to piece together everything and thinking to himself, it’s as though they are in another world!  Without thinking, he said out loud, This can’t work! What are they after? Captain Kyle, the AC for the mission said, Don’t worry. We will be able to get to Patterson AFB without a hitch. You don’t have to worry yourself! Tom said, I’m sorry Sir. I didn’t realize I said anything out loud. It’s just this new computer system that they want to tie into the infrared TV system has a problem. It’s similar to a Doppler system. Until we get enough altitude, the readings will not be close enough, but they expect us to use it during takeoff. The only thing I can do is to turn on the low light video system and I’ll turn on the infrared system with it. Then I will turn on the recorders for both systems. That way they will see it is useless until we are over one hundred feet of altitude.  Captain Kyle said, Sounds like a good plan to me! All we expect you to do is have the system up and running and record the flight path. Captain Kantsky and I will make sure the aircraft gets off the runway and to Patterson AFB. This is just a test run of the new systems for now. They will video tape everything including you and our crew during takeoff, so make sure your uniform is perfect and smile pretty! Tom smiled and went back looking at the diagrams.

Just then a Colonel Phillips, the head of the OES squadron came in and asked Captain Kyle, Is everything set and ready to go and did you have the flight plans posted? Are you about ready to launch? They towed the B52 out to the compass rose and the Field Maintenance people tell me it is ready for preflight.  I saw that Captain Donald Walker is your navigator. He is on the aircraft already. I gave him the changes we made.  Captain Kyle stood and took the new flight plan to see what changes they made.  Colonel Phillips said, I resubmitted the flight plan to OPS.  After looking over what changes were in the flight plan, Captain Kyle said, Don said he would meet us at the aircraft. He’s a good navigator. We have everything ready. Is the OES people off the plane yet? Colonel Phillips said, They want to talk to Airman Pyle before you take off. But there is one more change in your flight plan! You will not land at Patterson AFB, you will return using the new flight plan OES drew up and return back to the base here!  Captain Walker already has the changes. They already increased the fuel load, so the aircraft is ready. I’ve marked all the revisions on the flight plan and any notes that have been changed. I put them on the right side of the page. Captain Walker has already seen the flight plan and has the fixed points set in the computer already. So the navigator is ready. The Officer Evaluation Squadron wants all this kept quiet for now.  Captain Kantsky asked, What are the main results that OES wants out of this flight? Colonel Phillips said, The computers are using the low light and infrared system to record your flight. In the future they have hopes that they will be able to put in a flight plan on an onboard computer in conjunction with the Doppler radar and have the aircraft take off and land by itself.  Just remember, this is all highly confidential! I know all of you have been warned! I’m sorry that I didn’t get to you earlier about the flight change. I just received it about thirty minutes ago. They all saluted and headed out to the aircraft.

On the way to the aircraft in the van, Captain Kyle said to Tom, Well Airman, I have heard that this will be your last flight. They told me you are going to civilian life next month! Tom said, Yes Sir! I’m looking forward to it. I’ve only been in the Air Force less than three years, but in some ways it feels like a lifetime! I have to admit, I have had some wonderful experiences while I’ve been in the Air Force. Captain Kantsky asked, Why three years? I thought the standard tour is four years in the Air Force. Also how did you get into the Officer Evaluation Squadron with your rank? You’re only a Staff Sergeant! Tom said, A long story. I’ll try and make it short. I came in the Air Force in the end of nineteen fifty nine. After basic training and electronic school, I ended up taking care of the old B47’s. When the B47’s were taken to the boneyard, I didn’t have anything to work on. At first, they wanted me to sign up for a two year extension and they would send me to B52 School. I said no thanks!  Then my squadron commander asked me that since I was single, if I liked traveling, TDY’s and maybe getting into some different things. I jumped at the chance and that was how I got into the OES. They needed a grunt worker to do the different tasks they didn’t want to do. What is now called ‘puff the magic dragon’ was my first stint with the squadron. We ran some tests using different aircrafts and computer and infrared system configurations. So now they said I can get an early release, so I guess this will be my last flight.

By that time, they were at the aircraft and were getting ready to enter the aircraft. Major Hart, from the OES squadron was waiting to go over everything with Sergeant Pyle. The navigator was already in the aircraft and had his system up and ready. After Tom received a few more instructions from Major Hart, Tom went up into the B52 and went up to the pilot’s position and turned on all of his systems. Then he went down and check that the TV and Infrared systems were up and running. Then he took his position against the bulkhead near the navigator and strapped in. The crew went through the checklist and soon they were taxiing down the runway and liftoff. After they were about five hundred feet and climbing, Captain Kyle radioed Tom to take his position with them.  Tom came up and strapped himself into the instructor position between the AC and the Copilot. Tom said, I love sitting here. From here I can see everything! Down below, next to Captain Walker, all I see is electronics and the navigator! Captain Kyle laughed and asked, Is the systems on and the computers working ok?  Tom said, Yes sir, looking over the control panel, everything is up and running at maximum! I checked them and made sure they were in synchronization with your aircraft computers. I have connected your guidance system and the auto system and everything is being recorded. Everything is a go! Tom was making sure that the AC flight plan and the computers were in sync while they were following the flight plan. Captain Kantsky asked Tom, What do you expect to do when you become a civilian?  Tom said, Well before I came in the Air Force, I had worked for a short time for IBM during my senior year in high school and almost a year afterwards. I had to get my service obligation over before I could go any further with IBM due to the draft and IBM told me that they couldn’t send me to school until my service obligation was complete.  So I knew that my brother had gone into the Air Force and seemed to like the Air Force. So I joined.  Now that the Air Force gave me the option of an early out, I contacted IBM and I told them I would be released from the service and they said that when I’m released,  I could come back to work for them. So when I get out, I will go to work here with IBM in Fort Worth, Texas. Captain Kyle said, Well, you couldn’t work for a better company! My sister works in sales for IBM and she loves it. Just then Captain Kantsky said, Tom, check your readouts and make sure everything is ok. We are getting near Paterson’s IFR. How does the flight plan look on your system? Tom said, So far we are one hundred percent! Says IFR contact within parameters and I have a go signal! Everything is in tolerance!

Soon they had radio contact with Patterson AFB and made a turn to return to Carswell AFB.  After lining up the heading for Carswell AFB, they all took their inflight lunch and turned the aircraft over to the auto pilot system while they had a snack. They got a kick out of how Tom liked the pound cake that was the main staple of the flight lunches. When they were close to Carswell AFB, Tom went down to the navigator station to get ready for landing and he strapped himself to the bulkhead. They lined up for the approach to the runway and the co-pilot started reading off the altitude as they approached the runway As usual, Tom felt the downward pitch of the B52 because it landed with a down attitude. All of a sudden alarms went off and the B52 shook and went down hard!

Tom woke up and shook his head. All he could see was a bright light off to his left! He snapped off his belt and he headed for the light. The next thing he remembered, he was in a bed at the base hospital. A nurse came over and checked his vital signs and called for a doctor to come. After the doctor checked Tom out and asked a few questions, the doctor disconnected whatever was connected to his body and the doctor said to Tom, Son, you made it! You’re one lucky man!  Other than your leg, you are one hundred percent! Your helmet saved your life! Tom asked, What is the problem with my leg? The doctor said, It was broken in three places but they set it and in a couple of months, you will be back playing football! Tom asked the doctor, What happened? The doctor said, You were in an aircraft accident. Someone will go through it with you soon. For now we just want you to relax and take it easy for a day or two.

About four days later, an officer came in to see Tom in the hospital. He said, I’m Major Goodson. I’m with the Accident review board and I have a few questions to ask about the flight. I have been told by the doctors that you don’t remember anything about the landing. They said that it is normal that most of the time, after a bad experience, your mind blocks everything out. The doctors said that in time you may remember some things, but there is a possibility that you may never remember anything. I was wondering if you have recalled anything at all now.  Any little thing might help. We know why the aircraft went down hard but we are trying to determine the sequence of events before the crash. Tom told him, I know that up until the approach, everything was normal. That was when the AC Commander told me to head downstairs and get ready for landing. I remember Captain Kantsky calling off the altitude and then all of a sudden the alarms started to go off. After that, I vaguely remember seeing a light while inside the plane. I think that was probably where I was able to get out of the aircraft. I’m still not sure how I did get out! Then I remember outside the aircraft and just standing there, looking at the plane.  Major Goodson said, Can you recollect what the last altitude you heard from the co-pilot? Tom thought and said, I vaguely recall Captain Kantsky calling out one hundred feet and then a loud noise. Major Goodson said, If you don’t mind, I want to take you out to the plane. They have it setting off the runway for now. That may bring back some memory. Tom said, Its fine with me. So Major Goodson and a hospital orderly helped Tom into an ambulance and took him out to the plane.

Tom was on crutches, but they didn’t want him using them for any length of time. Tom walked around the aircraft using the crutches. You could see how it came in nose first. Tom said, Now I see where the light I remembered seeing came from! I was against the bulkhead and I probably was looking out where the aircraft broke in two! Captain Goodson asked Tom, Do you remember anything else? Tom said, No, as I said, all I remember was the copilot calling out the altitude and a loud noise and alarms going off. Captain Goodson said, You were found walking around in the field when the rescue force got there. The medics took you to the hospital. We think the loud noise you probably heard was when the engine pod fell, just before landing. That seems to be what caused the accident. I know the medics said that they couldn’t figure out how you were walking around on your leg, as bad as it was.

Then Major Goodson said, You have been up on that leg long enough, so we will head back to the hospital. If anything ever comes to your mind later, please let the accident board know. Tom’s mind was beginning to comprehend what he had been through. He got back to the hospital room and asked the Major, What happened to the rest of the crew? Are they ok? Captain Goodson said he would go check with the doctors for him. Soon, a doctor at the hospital came in and told Tom, The pilot and copilot didn’t make it! Captain Donald Walker, the navigator is in the hospital. He was also found outside the aircraft and in time he will be ok. Tom laid there thinking how lucky he really was!

After three weeks on the crutches and now a cast and a leg brace, Tom was called into Colonel Phillips office, the OES Commander. The Commander said to Tom, Well you are one lucky man! We all have been checking up on your progress. For what it’s worth, we retrieved the recording and data from the aircraft. Everything is intact. Again you did an excellent job! The data gave us what we were looking for. Major Don Walker, the navigator, is back to work and you will be released as soon as you can get along without the brace. Tom smiled and said, I’ve been practicing every morning before I put the brace on. I feel I will be ok in a week. The commander said, We will have the base hospital run a complete physical on you and when they say you are one hundred percent, you will get your discharge papers! Tom was one happy airman! That afternoon he called the local IBM office and told them he would be out of the Air Force in about two weeks. They told him when he was sure about the date, to call and let them know and they would setup an appointment for him.

About six days later, the base made an appointment for Tom’s physical. Tom was surprised that it would take about two to three days for the physical. He was there bright and early the first day of the physical. The airman asked him many questions, they had a physical therapist give Tom a complete checkout. Then the next day they did everything from heart to hearing and even a dentist looking at his teeth. The third day was more tests and Tom even sat and had a talk with a Psychiatrist. He felt like he had been through the ringer. After the third and final day, he stopped at the Base Exchange cafeteria for a beer and relax. A Master Sergeant came over to Tom and said, Tom, I’m from the base hospital. I just was given the results of all your tests  with the doctors and you didn’t hear it from me, but I just want to be the first to let you know that Colonel Racker, the Hospital Commander just signed your release form. Congratulations, you are going to be free from the hospital! Tom stood and shook his hand and said, That is great news! I want to buy you a beer for that information! The Master Sergeant said, Let it be known, I never turn down a free beer! So Tom bought him a beer and they sat and talked for a while.

The next day, Tom checked in with the First Shirt to see if he knew anything yet. The First Sergeant said, Nothing yet! You know the Air Force! Nothing is quick, when it comes to paperwork. I’ll make some calls later and if I find out anything, I’ll call for you.  Tom thanked him and went to where they had the test area set up and started to help to check out some of the equipment. He was so involved with helping with the testing that one of the officers said to him, Well it is almost time to head out for the day. Tom looked at the clock and realized it was almost five pm. He was so disappointed that he didn’t hear from the First Shirt. As they started to leave, Colonel Phillips came out of the ops room and said to Tom, You’re just the man I was looking for! I want to show you the results of your last mission, it will only take a few minutes to view it. Come on in and I will show you the video. Tom just wanted to get back to the barracks but said, Yes Sir! I was wondering how it turned out. Colonel Phillips led him into the room, only to find out that they had it decorated and had it set up for a party for him! Then Colonel Phillips said, We have your discharge papers here, effective two days from now! Congratulations to an almost civilian! Tom didn’t know what to say! His mind went blank! He said, I don’t know how to say thank you to all of you! You all took me in as an equal! So many of you have helped me in my short stay here! One of the officers said, Well you became our token airman and it turned out that you taught us many things too! So we thank you!  Colonel Phillips and the first shirt came up to Tom and presented Tom with the folder with his discharge papers. The First Sergeant said, You will be officially released in two days, but your work here is done. Turn in your clearance badge before you leave and we all wish you the best of luck on the outside!

When Tom got back to the barracks, Tom called IBM and told them he would be out in two days. They set him up for an interview four days later and told him to bring in his discharge papers, they would need a copy. Two days later he drove off the base with his last Air Force check and all of his records and discharge folder. He headed to his temporary home called ‘First Motel’, where he thought he would stay for just a few days until everything was settled with IBM. Tom had purchased a new suit and shoes from the Base Exchange before he left. He felt lucky that they had a suit his exact size, so he was ready for the interview. The next morning he woke up in the First Motel and said to himself, Well I’m finally a civilian! He was going to shop for some more clothes. He went in the restaurant next door called The Green Window.  A waitress came over and he ordered an egg sandwich.  She took his order and she turned to him and held up the coffee pot she had in her hand looking at him. Tom smiled and nodded his head yes. She brought the coffee and the egg sandwich. Tom smiled, thinking his first civilian meal was an egg sandwich! He finished and went shopping. Then he headed for the Snack Shack on base. He saw some of his friends there and told them where he was staying, just off Camp Bowie at a place called First Motel. They all sat and had coffee and soon the Airmen had to go back to work. Tom got up and got in his car and then drove around Fort Worth for a while and ended up in Old Fort Worth at a place called Billy Bobs.  He had fun there, even got to ride a mechanical bull. Afterwards, he drove back to the motel and turned on the TV and laid on the bed. He kept thinking of tomorrow and a new life. About ten, he called for a wakeup call for seven in the morning. He wanted to have plenty of time to get ready for the interview.

The next morning the phone woke him up and he answered and thanked them. He showered and shaved and got dressed in his new suit. He checked himself twice in the mirror. He was ready to face the civilian world! He decided since he was early, he would head to the Green Window restaurant next door again. He sat at the bar and the same redheaded woman came up to him and held up a coffee pot again and asked him, What would you like to eat today? Tom laughed and said, Well, I think I’d better just have a roll and coffee for now. I don’t want to get my suit dirty. She laughed and went and got a roll and the coffee and brought it back to him. She said, The roll doesn’t have jelly in it, just to be safe! I usually make a mess of the jelly coming out the back of the roll! From the haircut, I figure you are in the Air Force, but the suit isn’t Government Issue. He laughed and said, Well in a way it is. I purchased it in the BX. I was just discharged! Thanks for the warning about the jelly! She held out her hand and said, Well, welcome to civilian life EX-GI.  My name is Sue Worts. Glad to meet you. Tom smiled and shook her hand and said, Glad to meet you! I’m Tom Pyle, how long have you been working here? She said, My husband, Bob and I have been stationed here a little over a year now. He is a helicopter pilot and right now he is over in Vietnam. I know what you have on now isn’t a military uniform, so where are you going, all dressed up like that? He said, I have an appointment with IBM downtown this morning. That’s why I don’t want to get anything on my suit. I have a tendency to get something on my clothes sometimes, especially when eating. She asked, Are you staying next door? He said, Yes, at least for now until I find out what is up with IBM. She said, Good! Maybe you could stop in once in a while. He said, That would be great! I’d like to have an ear to bend once in a while. What are your hours here? If I’m here, I might stop in for a cup of coffee. She said, Well sometime I think I live here! My usual time is from six am to about six pm. Depends on how busy we are. I’ll keep an eye out for you and have the coffee pot ready. He laughed and drank his coffee and paid her. He made sure he gave her a good tip. There was something about her that made him feel good!

He drove down to Fort Worth and found Sundance Square Plaza on E. Third. Had to tell the man at the parking garage who and why he was there. After the attendant called IBM, he told Tom what numbered spot to park in. Tom parked and went down and entered the building.  He saw on the board in the entrance, IBM was on the eighteenth floor, so he took the elevator.  When he got out of the elevator, a receptionist asked, May I help you?  He said, I’m Tom Pyle.  I have an appointment with Mr. Reed at ten am.  She looked at the schedule and said, Yes. Please have a seat and Mr. Reed will be with you soon.  Tom felt like this was a completely different way of life than the service. It wasn’t long until a person came out and walked over to him and said, Well, I’m Mr. Reed. Please call me Ron. Is it ok if I just call you Tom? Tom smiled and said, That would be fine. In the service we were always called by our last name. Being called by my first name will be different. It may take a while to get used to it! Ron smiled and said, I know you were in the Air Force. I was in the Navy. Spent four years there, so I know things will be different in civilian life. Come into my office and we will have a talk.

Tom followed Mr. Reed into his office and sat down while Ron took some papers and started to fill them out. He asked to see Tom’s discharge papers and made a copy of them and handed them back to Tom. Ron filled out much of the information that he needed from Tom’s discharge papers. When he was through, he asked Tom, Look over what I put down on these forms to see if everything is correct. If not let me know and we will correct them now. Also, please fill in any of the blanks to the best of your knowledge. If you see anything that you have a question about, let me know. Tom started to look over the papers and where he saw a blank question, he filled it in the best that he could. Seemed like the forms were just like in the Air Force. The space to write something in, was always too small. While he was filling out the papers, Ron was asking questions about what he did in the Air Force and what he did before he went in. Tom didn’t say anything about being in an airplane crash. Figured he was ok now and still didn’t remember anything about it anyway. So by the time Tom finished filling out the papers and answering all the questions Ron was asking, Ron had a good background on Tom.

When through, Ron asked, Where are you staying now? Tom said, Well right now I’m at the First Motel, but that is just temporary until I can get settled. Ron then said, Well I was wondering! I know that you are figuring that you were going to work here in Fort Worth, but I’m sorry to say that right now we don’t have an opening here for a few months. Tom’s stomach turned when he heard that! Ron continued, We were wondering if you didn’t want to wait for a couple of months, I found out that we have two immediate openings in the Los Angeles area. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind going to Los Angeles to work there. We would transfer you there and pay for your transfer. Tom said, I think I wouldn’t mind that. I just never pictured myself in Los Angeles! When would I have to go? Ron said, We will process you here today and have you working with one of our people here while all the paperwork is being processed and the transfer papers are received in LA. During that time we will pay you two hundred a day plus any expenses, food, boarding etc. Just keep a record of it and all your receipts. Bring them into my secretary each day and she will have the money for you by the next day. Depending on the people in LA, it might be about a week or less. Tom said, That would be nice! That would give me time to get settled and contact some of my friends. But after that I am ready. He was thinking, two hundred dollars plus expenses! Los Angeles, here I come! Ron said, I will take you over to be processed and when you are through, we will both go to lunch!

They sat down and went through the process of all the paperwork IBM required. Tom said to Ron, I never expected this! IBM is almost as bad as the Air Force in paper work! Ron laughed and said, Yes! I remember getting out of the navy and it was a surprise at the amount of paper work they require in IBM. I’ll warn you now, it doesn’t get much better. So when they were done, they went to lunch at the Blue Mesa Grill. During the meal, they had a good talk. Tom knew that Ron was finding things out about his life in and out of the Air Force. Ron was a good interviewer! After they were through, Ron said, I would like to have you come in tomorrow about noon. Since I see from the paperwork you gave me, you just went through a physical in the Air Force, so we can skip that. I’ll have one of the men show you around and maybe you can go with him for about two hours or so, on some of his calls. Sort of get your feet wet.  Tom said, I’d love that. Is it ok if I come in a little earlier and just look around? Ron said, That will be fine. Before you leave today, just tell Jan, our receptionist, and she will give you a temporary badge for now. Here is a temporary pass for your car. It will be spot four twelve. As for the Los Angeles trip, we will get together sometime tomorrow. I have to let LA know about you and see when and where you will be needed to sign in there. They shook hands and Tom said, Thanks for everything! I’ll go see Jan now for the visitor’s pass.

After he got the pass from the secretary, Tom headed back to the First Motel and called home and also called a couple of friends on the base about what was happening to him. His mother was worried about him going to, as she called it, sin city! He told her he would be careful! Then he went to the Green Window to see if Sue was still there. There was something about her that he liked and he loved to talk to her. When he walked in from the kitchen, she saw him and held up a coffee pot. He remembered she did that the first day, when he came in to the Green Window. Tom laughed and nodded his head yes and went and sat at the bar. Sue came over and said, Well I sure didn’t expect to see you back this early! You want that jelly doughnut now? Tom laughed and said, Well, I missed you and I told IBM I had to go get a cup of coffee! Sue smiled and said, Well from the way you are acting, I guess everything is going ok with you. Tom said, Well now that you asked, yes and no! Sue looked at him and asked, What happened? You didn’t get the job? Tom said, Yes, as of right now, I am working for IBM here. But soon I will be working for IBM in LA. Sue looked at him with a surprised look on her face. She asked, How did that happen? Did you ask to go there? Tom said, It’s a long story. Is there a way we could go for coffee sometime and maybe a snack when you are through today? I need to wind down and I sure would like to talk to someone. I really don’t have anyone to talk to. The guys in the Air Force would just laugh at me. You are the only one I have met and I feel like I already know you. Sue thought about it and finally said, I get off about six tonight. I usually stop on the way to the bus station at Steak and Eats. It is just down the street at the end of the block. You can’t miss it! I will meet you there. That way my fellow workers here won’t start gossiping about me being married and meeting a man. Tom said, I can see that they might get the wrong idea. Thanks!  I’m almost sure I know where that place is. Thanks! I really appreciate this!  I’ll see you about six. I’ll pay you back and have a cup of coffee waiting for you.

At about five forty five, Tom went down the block to Steak and Eats. When he went in, he looked around and didn’t see Sue, so he went to the back of the restaurant and sat in a booth. When the waitress came over, he told her that he was waiting for another person and asked if he could order a pot of coffee and two cups. The waitress went and came back with a coffee urn and the two cups and two menus. He sat there waiting for Sue to come in. About six ten, Sue came in, still in her uniform from the Green Window. He quickly poured a cup of coffee and held the coffee urn up so she could see it. She smiled when she saw him holding up the coffee urn and came over and sat down. She took the cup and said, After today, I need this just to relax. I have to admit I feel funny being here, being married and all. This is a first for me to see a guy away from work. But I have an idea what you must be going through right now in your life. I’ve been there too! I debated to come here, but I know how you feel and for some reason I feel like I’ve also known you for some time! When Bob, my husband received word to go to Vietnam, I wanted to talk to someone about it. I was lucky enough that there were other wives that went through the same thing. We all talked about our husbands going over there.

Tom smiled and said, I really appreciate you coming! Being far away from home, and now out of the service, I feel stranded! Sue asked, Where is home? Tom said, I lived on a farm in Pennsylvania. Sue had a surprised look on her face and asked, Where did you live in Pennsylvania? Tom said, About fifteen miles out Route two twenty two from Allentown. Sue said, Well I’ll be! This is a small world! I lived just fifteen miles from you. I lived in Allentown! Born and raised there! We moved just before I was starting high school. My parents moved to Indiana and I started my freshman year there. Went to Shortridge High, up through my junior year.  I haven’t been back to Pennsylvania though, since I got married right after my junior year!

Tom couldn’t believe it! They started to talk all about living there when the waitress came over and asked if they wanted something to eat. Tom said to Sue, Well I’m on an expense account, so I would like to buy a fellow Pennsylvania person a dinner, but with the stipulation that I can bend your ear about my life and what is happening to me while we are eating. Sue said, Ok, as long as we can also talk about Pa. I haven’t talked to anyone for quite some time about Allentown. They both ordered a steak sandwich. Sue with a salad and Tom with fries. Tom asked, When was the last time you were back to Pennsylvania? Sue said, Just over three years ago. I married Bob just after I finished my junior year at Shortridge High. I thought I was in love and I really liked him. We had dated while I was in school. He completed high and was working for his dad when we decided to get married. Right after the wedding, I took him to Allentown. I wanted to take him to see where I was raised. I wanted to show him off to a few of my friends that I kept in touch with back in Allentown.   When we came back to Indiana, he joined the Air Force and two weeks later he was gone. Since his dad taught him how to fly a helicopter, the Air Force put him right into flight school at Warren AFB. So I spent the rest of our honeymoon in Indianapolis with my folks, while Bob was in training in Wyoming. When he was halfway through training, he sent for me. I didn’t get to see him much. A lot of the training was flying to other military stations, so he would be gone a lot. Tom said, I never have been west. Fort Worth is as far as I have been. Sue said, Well don’t worry! You will find out how that area is on your way to LA. I took a trip west to the Grand Canyon once. Tom asked, Are your parents still living in Indianapolis? She said, My dad had a heart attack when I was in Wyoming. I came back for the funeral and to make sure my mother was doing ok. But what about you?

Just then, the waitress brought their food to them and they both ordered a large coke. When she left, Tom told her, I lived out on a farm, but my dad didn’t do farming. He rented out the land to other farmers to plant crops. Growing up there, I did make some spending money working to pick potatoes and some other crops and worked at an amusement park during the summers. Used the money for dates! By the time I started my senior year, I had enough credits to almost graduate because I doubled up on some of my classes in my sophomore year and junior years. So when I started my senior year, due to doubling up on classes, I almost had enough credits that I could have graduated in my senior year. So I took two of the required classes and the school was able to place me with a job working a half day with IBM downtown in Allentown. So at one pm every day I would take a bus to Allentown and I would work on small IBM computer equipment. I loved it and it seemed I was a natural for that. Sue laughed and said, I lived five blocks from the IBM building. I passed by that many times! Tom smiled and said, If I had known you then, I would have waved to you as you went by. When I graduated in fifty eight, IBM took me in, but because of the draft, they would not send me for training until I did my required four years in the military. So I joined the Air Force to get my military commitment done. After basic training and then to Denver for school, then they shipped me to Mc Coy AFB and then I ended here in Fort Worth! Sue said, Well you seem to be a world traveler! So far all I’ve seen is Wyoming and then here in Fort Worth.

Tom said, That brings me to what my dilemma is. Everything had been going so smooth for me! Had a lot of excitement while here in Fort Worth. Then getting out early. She asked, Why did you get out early? He told her, Well since the aircraft I was trained on was mothballed and I didn’t have an airplane to work on, they wanted to send me to B52 School. But I would have to extend another two years for them to send me to that school. I said no thanks. So they put me in what I called a grunt enlisted man’s position in the Officer Eval Section. That was called the OES squadron! I would be the one to test things out for the officers and give them the results. The Air Force started an early out program soon after I started working with the OES squadron, and I was offered to use it. I said yes, but I didn’t expect it for at least another year. I was surprised when I got the offer just before my third year was up. He didn’t want to tell her that he thought the aircraft crash might have helped him in getting him the early out.

Sue asked, What is mothballing an aircraft? He smiled and said, It’s basically that! They take an aircraft to Davis Monthan Air Force Base, strip off the good stuff and let the plane sit in the desert there. Every once in a while they sell a plane to some country and get it back to a flyable condition. I was on cloud nine when they told me I could get out early. I called IBM and they said they would take me after I was discharged. That was when I moved into the First Motel. I met you the day before I went for the interview. Sue said, Yes! I remember that. I wasn’t used to seeing a guy from the First Motel dressed up like that. Usually the best I have seen from anybody there, is a button shirt! He laughed and said, I remember when you made that comment! I also remember how you pointed out my haircut as a GI haircut! You made me feel like a million bucks! Thanks. I really needed that then.

Then he said, When I moved into the motel, I had it all set in the back of my mind. I would start work, get a place to stay here in Fort Worth and settle into civilian life. Then when IBM told me that they had no position open here, I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me! She said, That would make me hit the ceiling! Tom said, Well I almost cried! Then Ron, at IBM, told me that they had an opening in LA. By that time, all I could think of was that I would have a job and be working in IBM. But thinking about living in LA scares me! Everything I have ever heard about LA, it isn’t for a Pennsylvania guy! Sue laughed and then said, I know how I would feel. If it was me, I’d probably be hiding under something! Who knows? Maybe you will be discovered and become a movie star out there in LA! Tom laughed and said, Yea! They are looking for a person like me for the next big monster movie! Sue laughed and leaned over and said to Tom, You should look at it as you did when you joined the Air Force. A new adventure! What little I know about you, I know that where ever you are, you will do great! Anyway, with your looks, you wouldn’t make it in a monster movie! They both laughed! Tom said, I guess you’re right! I should look at it as a new unexpected adventure. I’m glad we had this talk. It has really helped me. I feel like I’ve known you all my life, and I’ve been talking to an old friend! Sue said, I am glad we had this talk also. I got to meet a fellow Pennsylvania guy and a nice guy at that! Of course all of us from good old PA are nice! They both laughed and sat there in silence and finished their sandwich. Sue looked at Tom and smiled, then said, Well I better get home! You don’t know how much I enjoyed tonight.  I know everything will work out for you. Tom said, Thanks again! I feel a lot better about all of this. I could have talked to you all night long. I’ll probably see you tomorrow. I’m going down to work and go out with one of the men from IBM and see what I might be doing when I do go to work in LA. Tom paid the bill and they walked out the door. Sue put her hand on his shoulder and said again, I know everything will work out! I’ll probably serve you coffee in the morning! Hang in there and have a good sleep tonight! She turned and off she went. Tom stood there watching her and thought how lucky that guy who married her was! She was quite a woman! Then he turned and walked to the Motel.

The next morning, he went to the Green Window for coffee and to see Sue. He asked if Sue was working today.  The waitress asked, Are you Tom? He said, Yes, why? She said, I was supposed to tell you good luck today and she would be in a little late. He was disappointed. He ordered a breakfast and then headed to IBM. Tom was earlier than he expected to be. The secretary introduced him to Frank Lie, a computer maintenance worker. Frank asked, Will you be working here in Fort Worth? Tom said, I thought I was, but they are going to send me to LA soon. I just got out of the Air Force and this is my second full day as a civilian. Frank smiled and said, Well then, welcome to IBM! This is a good company to work for. I’ve been with them for twenty seven years. All of them right here in Fort Worth. I grew up here and love it. They had mentioned to me that they may send you to LA. I’ll take you along with me and show you what you will probably be doing there. It should almost be the same in LA. At least it will give you an idea of what the job is. So that morning Tom went with Frank and he even helped Frank a few times on some of the units. Tom liked Frank. Frank was a good teacher. About noon, Frank said, We have covered most of my calls already. Let’s go get something to eat. I know of a place called The Hamburger Man that is just down the street. Is that ok with you? Tom said, As long as it isn’t called a chow hall, I’m for it! They laughed and went to get something to eat. While sitting there, the waiter came over and told Frank, I have a call for you! Frank got up and went to the phone. When Frank came back, he said, Well our time seems to be up already! Mr. Reed would like to see you in the office at one thirty. You have plenty of time to get to the office. They stood and Frank shook Tom’s hand and said, It’s been nice having you work with me. Good luck wherever you end up! Tom shook his hand and told Frank how it made him feel useful, working on something for a change. Then Tom headed in the direction Frank told him to go.

When Tom got to the office, the secretary had him wait. Just as he sat down, Mr. Reed came out with another person. He came over and introduced Mr. Josh Miller to Tom. Reed said, Mr. Miller is in charge of finance. He will take you to room five and get you started on your pay and also the money for your transfer to LA, since you will be driving. I will get with you later. I will have your transfer papers and all that you will need when you go to LA. I’ve already sent LA most of the paper work on you. How much time do you think you would need to get ready and you would be able to leave for Los Angeles? Tom said, I’m ready any time! All I have are my clothes. It won’t take long to pack. I didn’t take anything else when I left the Air Force. I gave, or I should say and sold a few things to my roommates and a few others in the barracks before I left. Reed smiled, thinking of when he left the navy. He said, Good! Then for now, go with Josh and get started on that. We will discuss when to head out to LA.

Josh Miller had Tom filling out all kinds of papers. Miller asked Tom, Did they explain the pay scale to you when you started? Tom said, Mr. Reed told me how much my starting pay would be and when I’m finished with school, there will be an increase. Miller said, Yes! That is the procedure with IBM. After you get to LA, you will be going to school for about three to six months, depending on what equipment you will be working on. The school will probably be in Chicago. Ron also told me your circumstances, just out of the armed services. He said you wanted to drive yourself to LA. I have a map from AAA that shows the route they thought would be good for you to take and they also gave us a map of the down town area to the hotel where you will be staying.

Miller asked Tom, Have you ever been in LA before? Tom said, No, never! Miller said, Good luck on navigating those freeways! Driving is a mess, autos everywhere! I lived there and I know how awful the traffic was and that was six years ago. Most people use mass transportation there. Here is a map of LA. The red X is where our main office is, 1791 Yucca St. On the corner of Yucca St. and Vine, on the fourth floor. He handed Tom an envelope and said, In there, we have a reservation at the W Hollywood Hotel.  That is the green X. It’s on the corner of Hollywood and Vine, just a couple of blocks from the main office. There is a number to call when you are within twenty four hours of the Hotel. Just call the hotel and give them the reservation number that you will see by the phone number. Then when you get there, they will have everything set when you arrive. They will have parking for you at the hotel. Just then Ron came in. Ron said, I just talked to Mr. Bob Becker in LA. They will be expecting you! There is no rush to get there. I told him about you and we forwarded the paper work to him on your transfer. We want you to take your time getting there, so drive safely. Did Miller give you your reservations already? Tom showed him the paperwork. Ron said, The IBM building is on the corner of Vine and Yucca St., it’s only a few blocks from where you are temporally staying. In this envelope is a check that should be enough money for the trip. You don’t have to pay this back. It is a relocation allowance that we give for extra moving expenses. I’ll go down to the first floor with you to the bank there, so you won’t have any problem cashing it. I also have the paperwork for you to get your IBM credit card. That should get you to LA and also you can use it when you go to school. Oh yes, did Paul mention to you about school? Tom said, He said it probably will be in Chicago for about three months. Ron said, "Good! The length you will be there depends on what equipment you will be working on. Well it looks like you are about ready to go. We decided that with all the confusion, you won’t have to come in to work here anymore. All I ask is you give me a call when you decide to head out for LA so I know. They know you are coming and they said to drive safely and take your time. Just give them a