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| Keywords: portrait people 1956 -- When I (Dick Leckbee, D/506th) got back from Korea. Courtesy of Dick Leckbee. Richard (Dick) Leckbee (D506) recalls. I arrived in Bristol, PA and served at the IFC Control area from August 1956 to August 1957. I was to take over the supply room. I realized right away that I wanted to learn the radar. I spoke with Commander 1st Lt. Robert Harcarik and he saw my interest was genuine. He changed my MOS and for the next 11 months I was operating azimuth, range and elevation in the control vans – remembering that Sgt. Walters was my mentor. I recall the 5 minute, 10 minute and 30 minute stand-by duty roster. You might be playing cards, checkers, shooting pool or writing letters home, etc. in the dayroom when the alarm sounded for a drill – you didn’t walk, you ran to the control van and assumed your station immediately. There were always guys not on duty who would drive to Hoagie Joe’s on Rt. 13 in Bristol for cheese steak and meatball sandwiches or pizza for those who couldn’t leave the base. We usually had K-P duty on Friday night or Saturday morning (mop and wax floors in the barracks, latrine and dayroom, straighten foot and wall lockers). Everybody present was involved. Along with that, we did most all of the post maintenance, including painting the TTR and MTR tower jackets and buildings, washed windows and mowed the lawn. The buildings and grounds were kept in pristine condition and our lawns looked like a golf course. Sgt. Doby, one of our cooks, always made sure that everyone ate well, but you had to report for meals at the given times if you wanted to eat. The only exceptions were if you were on a drill. The mess hall was always spic and span. Commander Harcarik was an officer that everyone liked. He was firm and respected but believed in regulations and getting all jobs done. He was a friend to all the troops. If you wanted a few days leave, and it was important enough, he usually ok’d it. In 1981 the road was still open from Ford Road. I drove back and took several pictures of the towers and buildings that were still there. In October 2012, while on vacation with my wife, my nephew and I visited the site. While looking across and through the brush and undergrowth I was able to place in my mind where I used to park my car, the location of the radar towers and all of the buildings, including the guard shack at the gate, all of which are now gone. The only traces are the electric pole at the gate, some poles in the compound and the paved roads in and around the radar and where the buildings stood. As I walked up and down the road I took time to reminisce and recall the memorable times and friendships I had there. Of my 3 years active duty, the 11 months spent here were the best and are the most often recalled. MOST MEMORABLE – In September 1956, we sponsored a dance in the mess hall on a Friday night and we invited girls from Ft. Dix, NJ and from the Bristol USO. The hall was packed. I left my chair for a few minutes and when I returned I found this pretty, brown-eyed little gal in my seat. I saw that she was with another girl – tapped her shoulder and the rest of the night the three of us were sharing two chairs. Three children and 55 years later, Olive and I are still loving each other. Thank you Bristol and thank you Grand Old Nike Base. I would like very much to communicate with anyone who was there during the same time as me. Please contact me at 630-377-9172 Home or 630-742-9301 Cell; 325 S. 13 Street, St. Charles, IL 60174-2506, email [email protected] Your brother veteran -Dick 1956 -- When I (Dick Leckbee, D/506th) got back from Korea. Courtesy of Dick Leckbee. Richard (Dick) Leckbee (D506) recalls. I arrived in Bristol, PA and served at the IFC Control area from August 1956 to August 1957. I was to take over the supply room. I realized right away that I wanted to learn the radar. I spoke with Commander 1st Lt. Robert Harcarik and he saw my interest was genuine. He changed my MOS and for the next 11 months I was operating azimuth, range and elevation in the control vans – remembering that Sgt. Walters was my mentor. I recall the 5 minute, 10 minute and 30 minute stand-by duty roster. You might be playing cards, checkers, shooting pool or writing letters home, etc. in the dayroom when the alarm sounded for a drill – you didn’t walk, you ran to the control van and assumed your station immediately. There were always guys not on duty who would drive to Hoagie Joe’s on Rt. 13 in Bristol for cheese steak and meatball sandwiches or pizza for those who couldn’t leave the base. We usually had K-P duty on Friday night or Saturday morning (mop and wax floors in the barracks, latrine and dayroom, straighten foot and wall lockers). Everybody present was involved. Along with that, we did most all of the post maintenance, including painting the TTR and MTR tower jackets and buildings, washed windows and mowed the lawn. The buildings and grounds were kept in pristine condition and our lawns looked like a golf course. Sgt. Doby, one of our cooks, always made sure that everyone ate well, but you had to report for meals at the given times if you wanted to eat. The only exceptions were if you were on a drill. The mess hall was always spic and span. Commander Harcarik was an officer that everyone liked. He was firm and respected but believed in regulations and getting all jobs done. He was a friend to all the troops. If you wanted a few days leave, and it was important enough, he usually ok’d it. In 1981 the road was still open from Ford Road. I drove back and took several pictures of the towers and buildings that were still there. In October 2012, while on vacation with my wife, my nephew and I visited the site. While looking across and through the brush and undergrowth I was able to place in my mind where I used to park my car, the location of the radar towers and all of the buildings, including the guard shack at the gate, all of which are now gone. The only traces are the electric pole at the gate, some poles in the compound and the paved roads in and around the radar and where the buildings stood. As I walked up and down the road I took time to reminisce and recall the memorable times and friendships I had there. Of my 3 years active duty, the 11 months spent here were the best and are the most often recalled. MOST MEMORABLE – In September 1956, we sponsored a dance in the mess hall on a Friday night and we invited girls from Ft. Dix, NJ and from the Bristol USO. The hall was packed. I left my chair for a few minutes and when I returned I found this pretty, brown-eyed little gal in my seat. I saw that she was with another girl – tapped her shoulder and the rest of the night the three of us were sharing two chairs. Three children and 55 years later, Olive and I are still loving each other. Thank you Bristol and thank you Grand Old Nike Base. I would like very much to communicate with anyone who was there during the same time as me. Please contact me at 630-377-9172 Home or 630-742-9301 Cell; 325 S. 13 Street, St. Charles, IL 60174-2506, email [email protected] Your brother veteran -Dick | ||||
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