28 May 2024 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

[browningautorifle]

I was about to ask which fort that might be when it answered me...old Ft Bragg. "My grandfather—an Italian immigrant in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg circa 1950"

None of those forts look quite like that now, they all did then.

[fjruple]

Jim-- I think most are now have be demolished. One or two of the barracks on several forts have been preserved as historical. Being wooden and with asbestos they were a very dangerous. Originally built to last 6 months, and would continue to serve into the early 2000's. When i was mobilized in 2003 for OIF I, I spend 3 weeks in one initially with no heat in the February 2003, some of the troops complained. The demobilization officer at Ft. Bragg told them if these barracks are good enough for your grandfathers they are good enough for you! I told the troops it could be worst you can be in tents. I personally had no problem with it as i knew what we were going into.

[browningautorifle]

One or two of the barracks on several forts have been preserved as historical.

I remember Ft Lewis so well, even then in 1974 I would look at architecture. At one point I climbed the ladder that was on the front of all the barracks and looked over all the company areas at the huge identical expanse of the whole north fort...massive. If you look at Google Earth pics now at street level none of the north fort exists. History and memories gone. Just old guy's stories now. If you weren't there you will never know. The south fort had some of the old buildings from WW1 original construction being torn down in the late '70s or early '80s, I think they kept a couple for history. Glad I was a part of it all. Yes, I've lived under canvas for extended time too...