HOM: Tacoma

We finally got orders to move to Tacoma for the 98's wrap-up, shakedown, & training. We were allowed a few days transit time, so I flew home & then drove the Wagoneer out to Tacoma. Most of the other guys also had POV's (Privately Owned Vehicles) and drove them up from San Diego. There were no nearby Naval facilities in Tacoma, so we drew a pretty generous Per Diem allowance to rent housing and cover living expenses -- I think it was about $30/day. Combined with my $600+/month base pay, this went a long way. ( In 1970, Minimum Wage was $1.25, gas was 37¢/gallon, an average new house was $25,000, a new Datsun 1200 Sports Coupe cost $1,866, a stamp cost 6¢, and a movie ticket cost $1.50) Right away, two of us rented a place in a little three-story apartment house. When the rest of the crew trickled in, most of them moved into a complex where the senior crew members were staying. I ended up with a solo apartment when the other guy opted for the social life at the complex & I opted for solitude. Being TAD in Tacoma was like being a civilian again. I had quite a bit of free time as I was putting in a basic eight-to-five, Monday-thru-Friday, work week, so I visited a lot with Aunt Minnie and my cousin Jeannie and her husband over in Federal Way, a suburb of Seattle. I also visited with Billy Burt, a retired cop who was an old friend of Vic's & Mom's and lived nearby. As usual, the extra money burned a hole in my pocket. I bought a nice GE brand AM/FM/SW portable radio that I still have. Dad used it for years to listen to news and talk shows. I also spent some money on mechanic's tools, since the Navy had taught me how to use them. (Tools: Have I mentioned that Uncle Bus went back to Detroit & bought a car in the late 1920's or early 1930's? The car is long gone, but I still have the 1/2" drive Owatonna Tool Co. socket set he bought with the car. Yeah, I am a sentimentalist. I also have a hand saw with the interlocking initials "ISH" on the handle, one of the few things left of my father's.) I had one close call. There was a blonde divorcee in the next door apartment who had a little girl and was looking for a husband. She worked on me pretty hard for a while, but then one of her ex's showed back up. She was sure a good cook, but it was still a relief when she got a steady boyfriend. Life was as good as it could get on a Navy paycheck. TBC (Me) (Home)