Monday, February 1, 2010

Colonels and Generals and Fighter Pilots, Oh My!


Working as a  Kelly Girl in my Newlywed Days living on base at Davis Monthan AFB in Tuscon, Arizona, I was assigned to the newly established DEER Enlistment Program to register all active personnel and their dependents with identification cards.


 Along with a dozen other girls, we sat at classroom desks with our Selectric typewriters and endless forms to be typed without error. Eight hours a day handsome fighter pilots in training waited helplessly in line for one of us to be available.

If they did not have proper documentation, it was our job to leave our desks and enter the secured file department filled with more military men in their handsome uniforms. These were heady days for a 21 year old with her honeymoon wardrobe to be admired.


I most loved about this job the opportunity to work so closely with other secretaries who seemed so glamorous and worldly to me. One had fiery red hair and had been a Las Vegas show girl in the past. One had been an English War Bride. One was a most beautiful Mexican girl who was dangerously flirting with the base Chaplin. I think the overload of cologne in the air affected everyone!


Each day for lunch we were taken by bus to the NCO Club. White linen table cloths, china and silver, it all seemed too good to be true. Salads the order of the day, iced tea with lemon. Conversation always the same.


"I can't believe she's going to go ahead and marry him after what he did to her!" Indignant agreement, "Don't forget he kidnapped her, too!" "Did you hear what the Doctor had to say about it all?" another would add to the conversation. Suspiciously quiet day after day, it was finally asked why I didn't participate in the conversation. I replied, "I'm so sorry but I don't know anyone with such dramatic lives as you all seem to know. I have never known anyone who was murdered or kidnapped."



"Oh, Elizabeth honey. We aren't talking about real people. Don't you know who Luke and Laura are?"

27 comments:

Suz said...

Here we go again...such a delightful sense of color! Your work brings me such joy!

Suz

Unknown said...

Thank you Suz! You are too kind. E

Scrap for Joy said...

More stunning cards and another great memory...Luke & Laura..that cracked me up! I can remember my Mother and her friends would always talk about what happened on their "stories". Guiding Light & Search for Tomorrow-I can remember when each one was only 15 minutes long...on from 12-12:30. Oh my friend, you do bring back the memories. xoxo

ImagiMeri said...

Again, you've hit a show on the nose! I used to follow Luke and Laura every day.....geez, this is weird! I even loved that song by Christopher Cross about Laura......do you remember that one? Also, again with the cards...they are over the top lady..you're amazing.

Meri

Celestial Charms said...

Such beautiful cards. Your story is too funny. I remember Luke and Laura, but I was a complete soap opera fanatic back then.
Maureen

suz said...

Too funny! I was working for a Trust Company and the rule was if you were out of the office during the week you had to watch General Hospital and report when you came back in. We didn't realize our boss (an attorney) was listening until the day he came in after being out sick and gave his report. I haven't thought of Luke and Laura in years. Thanks for the giggle.

★Carol★ said...

Ha! This post is so funny! At family gatherings, my sister-in-law and I get to talking about GH so intensely that everyone always thinks we're talking about real people!
I've sent you my address. You're a doll!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Elizabeth...
I almost fell off my chair when I saw a Valentine with my name on it and I LOVE IT!!! You are the BEST!!! A sweet little puppy on it too!!
I didn't even finish reading your post because I'm so excited!!!
Warmly,
Deb :)

Lori said...

oh, how funny!!! Luke and Laura indeed:) what a hoot...your valentines are gorgeous!!!

Nan said...

Yes Luke and Laura I remember them, life got complicated when the writers had to come up with something exciting each day. I loved all your sweet little Valentines you made, so whimical. Nan

vivian said...

omg... I'm going to be stalking my maillady again!!
ha! luke and laura! thats too funny. I used to watch that when my kids were teeny tiny andI was a stay at home mom.. awww.. I sort of miss those days. Dont ya wish we could go back but knowing what we know now?
oh well..
love ya!

Stephanie O. said...

Such a great post...I loved Luke and Laura! Thanks for sharing such great Valentine cards as well...

Unknown said...

eth! You crack me up! Luke and Laura....wow that brings back memories! These cards are just as sweet as the last, but I love mine the best! I recieved a package today...my sweet little valentine birds! E, they are just perfect! I can't wait to find the perfect spot for them! My shelves are going up later this week hopefully....thank you fromt he bottom of my heart...and the top too! :)

Unknown said...

Sorry about your name on the last post....I types your whole name...my computer is doing wierd things today.....can't quite figure it out...... :)

Hearts Turned said...

You always have me reading each word...right to the very end! Love the way you tell a story, Elizabeth

Pearl said...

I sure do enjoy reading your stories and hearing about your fond memories. When I was in college, I arranged my schedule so that I would not miss GH, and Luke 'n Laura! LOL
There are going to be some very happy gals in blogland when Cupid delivers the awesome cards you're creating... I was soooo tickled when I saw the one for my sweetie, Deb!! I know she is going to simply adore it ♥
Hope the new month is off to a great start for you...

~ blessings ~
Pearl

Unknown said...

Hi Elizabeth. I don't know if I've ever told you but I can fly down my dash board without even looking at the names and spot your blog just by looking at the pictures. And then of course I stop on a dime because you are one of the first blogs I always look for!

I love all you new valentines. Thank you for sharing and I'm still smiling over your story.

Hugs Dear Friend....Tracy :)

LBP said...

Your valentines are just gorgeous! I made some similar, but they are not nearly as lovely as yours! I really like your stories too!

Blessings

Linda

Mrs Twins said...

Beautiful work Elizabeth! I'm loving Valentines month with you!
Hugs and Love
Suex

Ella said...

I loved Luke n' Laura. I am from
Maine, Laura, Genie Frances, now lives, 10minutes from where i grew up and has this store.http://www.thecherishedhome.com/ she is in Belfast, ME.

Great story, it was fun to read. I'm a military spouse(Navy). My husband is on a ship. DEERS...oh, yeah, i know what you are talking about!

Beautiful cards!

Betty said...

Oh my goodness E! You made me laugh out loud. I remember when Luke and Laura were the talk of the day. I thought I was the only one who didn't watch General Hospital (was it GH?) My best friend watched it with all the girls at the university tv room and I was so jealous. LOL

Betty said...

oh!! I am thrilled about the Valentine too...just in case you didn't know that! LOL

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Oh Elizabeth! These are the prettiest Valentine's ever! I love Deb's with the dog! I nearly fell off my chair, too! Have a wonderful day! Twyla

tammyCA said...

LOL! That was the only time I really watched soap operas...Luke and Laura were HUGE! :)
Lovin' the valentines so much...I so want to get some of that cute scrapbook paper...it's Cosmo Cricket you say?

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Sheila said...

Been admiring your stuff, and this story just gave me such a laugh. I was transferred to Davis-Monthan after I got married (no place at my base for my husband). I was there from 1978 to 1981, when I got out. Had two sons while there. I loved that place, and Arizona in particular.

I loved the Luke and Laura stuff. I went home for lunch to watch the soaps, General Hospital and Ryan's Hope. Gosh, I miss those days!