OT: High School ROTC - May be Boring

[Griff Murphey]

My Dad, now in his 90s, grew up in Dallas & was in high school(Wilson?) ROTC in the early 1930s. They used '03s & he once had to transport his from his home to some sort of parade function on the trolley-car, which I think was called the "inter-urban" in Dallas. He wore his dress uniform and was feeling quite proud until he noticed that his fellow passengers seemed to be casting nervous glances at his Springfield. He was so embarrassed that he got off at the next stop and walked the rest of the way.

Donzi

I once had an old painter as a dental patient. He was a teen in the 1920's in Fort Worth and recalled that the Police Range in Fort Worth was a berm set up at the north end under the Main Street Bridge over the Trinity River. It was fenced off. One carried one's gun on the trolley and pulled the string as your car passed where the stairs descended from the bridge. As he told the story, nobody questioned a kid with a gun back then. You got the key from the man at the power company, and unlocked the gate. According to him anybody could use that range. I've been tempted to explore the area and dig for lead to see if his story had some basis in fact.

There was another range in West Fort Worth along Mary's Creek that the National Guard used, firing into a sheer cliff, mainly 03's , according to another old patient, also long dead, who was an Army Guard sergeant. If true there should be artifacts there as well.

[Dan Shapiro]

Had ROTC in high school. 1962-66. Every Thursday at end of school day would gather at the armory, pick up .22's, ammo, mats and target frames. Walk across campus to a plateau overlooking the football field. Fired for an hour, then dragged all the equipment back for cleaning and securing. Supervisor was the highest ranking cadet officer (usually a junior or senior). Never had any problems. Can you imagine any 15-16 year old walking across a school campus today with a rifle and ammo? Today society treats 18 year olds like children........and then they're SHOCKED when the 18 year olds act like children.

[Griff Murphey]

Dan, this is what I have been saying. In those days we discussed "Adult responsibility" RE cars and guns, among other things. Today this is thought of as an obsolete concept. I sometimes wonder if the ADULTS have adult responsibility today...

[Calif-Steve]

I went through 3 years of JrROTC 1061-64, Honolulu, Hi. We had Garands and as a Senior went up to Schofield Barracks and shot the Trainfire I course. Fun, fun, fun. Every Friday was uniform day and I had 2 uniforms, short sleeve khakis and long sleeve with black tie. We had a very active small bore rifle team with Winchesters and Remington .22's. Taught responsibility and adult concepts. Very good program!

[ralfus]

I'm glad to hear about ROTC units still being around. I recently attended a gunshow in Kingman, AZ and the highschool's ROTC unit was at the parking lot entrance. The parking fee was reduced to $1 but you could donate to the rifle team if you liked. What a cool way to raise funds!

[Loy Hamilton]

My home away from home. My last home in Texas was in Flour Bluff across frpm the High School. Port Aransas was my favorite hangout. Do you know a Captain Totsy Belcher, King of the Bay Fishermen?

I spent 3 or 4 days a week on the beach. I still know where to find the gold coins!

Jim

Hey Jim

You left out the "k" in Aransas..

Arkansas USMC ROTC prefers the M14 Heart Breakers and Life Takers!!

[Emri]

Hey Jim

You left out the "k" in Aransas..

Arkansas USMC ROTC prefers the M14 Heart Breakers and Life Takers!!

Loy,

I'm sure you were kidding about the place in Texas, but: did you know there is a law on the books in your state making it an offense to mis-pronounce the name of the state?

Just gee-whiz info,

Emri

[Donzi]

Jim- I don't know Totsy Belcher, but have seen the name many times in The South Jetty newspaper. By gold coins, do you mean those from Jean Lafitte's treasure? When I was a kid my brother Ed & I spent many an hour digging on the beach for them, but no luck.
Donzi

[Jim Tarleton]

Jim- I don't know Totsy Belcher, but have seen the name many times in The South Jetty newspaper. By gold coins, do you mean those from Jean Lafitte's treasure? When I was a kid my brother Ed & I spent many an hour digging on the beach for them, but no luck.
Donzi

Many years ago, Totsy's brother was Captain of a charter that was fishing just off what is now the Mansfield Cut. The boat sank about 100 yards off shore (leaving out a lot of details here). While salvaging the boat, they found a bunch of gold coins (they all had necklaces made). By Texas state law, all salvaged treasure belongs to the school children of Texas, which makes salvage a financial no-no. When they dredged the Mansfield Cut, they went right through the sunken ship, blowing the coins up onto the north side of the Cut. To this day, if you go down to the Cut after a storm with a metal detector (that will be seized by Park Rangers if you are caught), you will/might find gold coins.

Captain Totsy Belcher is my ex-father-in-law, and a really great fisherman.

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

Hey Jim

You left out the "k" in Aransas..

Arkansas USMC ROTC prefers the M14 Heart Breakers and Life Takers!!

I see the Life Taker AND the Heartbreaker! If that picture isn't on your desk, it should be.

She is a fine looking soldier.

This old Marine says, "Semper Fi, Soldier"!

Jim