Ralph Lake, US Navy -- Like a lot of my friends,I joined the Naval Reserve while still in high school. It was a 6 year obligation starting in 1956. Meetings at the navy building on the Boulevard I think once a week then a two week boot camp at Bambridge, Md. during the summer. My first active duty station was Green Cove Springs, Fla. at a mothball fleet facility. I don't know how I was selected but I ended up being the Commodore's Chauffeur for a few months. Good duty and I also played in a small dance band while there. Next station was Little Creek, Va. where I was in Radioman school (met my future wife in Norfolk). Upon completion of school, I was sent to New Orleans, La. and put a brand new LST into commission. The USS Lorain County LST 1177; as such I became a plank owner of that vessel. Her home port was in Little Creek, Virginia. I was discharged from active duty in October of 1959 and returned to dear old Pittsfield.The last 2 years of my military obligation was spent on inactive duty finally being discharged in 1961. The closest I got to hand to hand combat was in a bar in downtown Norfolk. That's the rest of the story.
Posted By: Ralph Lake - 04-10-2008
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