OldMan Remembers
The Oldman Remembers Great Times Past
First of all, the photos presented are very dated. But, represent some of my fondest memories.
My Name is John Dalzell and I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana back in 1955. My father who worked at RCA Victor at the time was transfered to Woodbridge, New Jersey in 1963. The family (7 of us) moved to Strathmore, Matawan, New Jersey and became the First Family to move into the newly built Levitt Community. At the young age of 17, I joined the US Army and boot-camped at Fort Dix, New Jersey. My 1st duty station was with an Air Defense Artillery Unit in Highlands, New Jersey. About a year later, I was sent off to ChunChon, South Korea Camp Page (better than Vietnam I'm guessing). My skill? I was a clerk typist. I was hoping to miss the war and I did. In 1976, I was stationed Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia for about 10 months before being sent to Daharan, Saudi Arabia (JUSMAG-SA) for a year. When I returned to the states, I was assigned to 1st Army Headquarters, Fort Meade, Maryland. 1979 I was off to Pirmasens, Germany for a couple of years. My father passed in 1980 while I was in Germany - tradgic time in my life to be sure. My father was a pilot in WWII and flew as part of "Operation Market Garden". Looking back, he flew in battle, during WWII at the same age I was when he died. I don't know, feels strange. I can't imagine the 25 yr old me doing what my 25 year old Dad did. I left Germany in 1981 and was assigned to Camp Henry, Taegu, South Korea where I met my wife and I started my own family. We moved to Fort Devens, Massachusetts in 1984. Four years, the longest I've ever lived on the mainland since I was a teenager. In 1988, I was reassigned back to South Korea, this time in Seoul - in time for the '88 Olympics. I served as a Sergeant First Class with JUSMAG-K. My second JUSMAG tour. JUSMAG stands for Joint US Military Assistant Group. What I loved about being a part of JUSMAG was 1) I was given a Diplomatic Licence Plate for my car and carried a Diplomatic Passport and 2) I worked side by side with members of the Air Force, Navy & Marines. One big happy family! This is a 'raw' video I took with my new VHS Camcorder - I believe in late 1991. Walking around inside JUSMAG-K headquarters building. I decided to retire in 1992 at the age of 37. It might have been a mistake, but I honestly thought that 40 was too old to find a decent job as a civilian. I figured at 37, I'd stand a better chance. Pretty silly of me, eh? Having never lived on a tropical island, still I decided to move my family of 5 to the tiny, remote Tropical Island of Guam and retired here. I knew no one here, I had no job lined up - just a gut feeling (and a desire to live on a tropical island). Not a month before we left Korea for Guam, I found out Guam was hit with a huge Super Typhoon (Typhoon Omar). I didn't know anything about typhoons but from what I was reading in the Army Times, the island was leveled. I was scared to bring that news home to be sure. However, my wife thought about it for just a moment and replied "So we have to bring tents". And that is just how we arrived here on island - tents and sleeping bags in hand! Thank God we never needed to sleep outside and within a couple weeks, I found a job working in tourism. At the SandCastle Entertainment Complex in Tumon (our prime tourist spot). A few short years later, I help build and ran a popular Island Style Dinner Show & Beach Bar (Jimmy Dee's Chamorrita Sunset Fiesta). Some 10 yrs later I worked for a Computer Retail & Service Store and managed a satellite store (Computer 2000). There after I returned to run the Beach Bar for a few years and then became involved in construction of all things. Now I'm just living on my penson and reminsce of times gone by. Still living on this remote Tropical Island with my wife of almost 40 years. My three sons are grown men now with families of their own living on the mainland. So far, they have bless us with 3 grandchildren whom we get to chat with online from time to time. My wife and I have three dogs (a German Shepard and two Jack Russell Terriers). Life is Good! So that's it in a very small nut shell. Enjoy the fishies and have a Very Blessed Day ! I imagine most fellow Boomers recognize the music I choice for this page. For others, it's the theme song from a popular TV show from back in the day called "My Three Sons" If for any reason, I can be reached at: OldMan@OldManZone.com or Visit The Old Fart Store dedicated to Old Timers Like Myself Btw, as part of my personal retirement plan - I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites (like mine) to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com |