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Happy Memories at Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam

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By Al Manook

March 27, 2021
6:33 am
Los Angeles, CA

This happened on Christmas Eve, at the barracks of the Station, which served as temporary quarters for sailors preparing to go back to the USA, or the quarters for others such as we, hospital corpsman were quartered. We were separated from other sailors by ratings. We were free to walk around the compound, or go on liberty if we chose. We were of service to so many that we couldn’t always remember every one. So I was met by someone who wasn’t familiar to me. He was about my height, and had brown hair and blue eyes. He told me his name was Navarre. Then he asked me if I would like to travel around the island with him on his motorcycle. I knew that the island of Guam

We buzzed on country roads; me holding onto his waist. We sang at one place to a pleased party of not more than three. Another was quite unusual: We came to a small cantina, with only one visible attendant, an adolescent Guamanian girl. We sang and I not iced her rapt attention. She stared at me, and picked up an open-bladed knife. She made a sweeping gesture across her throat, and made a clicking sound with her tongue. She then pointed the knife in my direction. Such a small girl doing that got my attention, quickly. She must have been telling me in her way, that she was in charge, and to not try anything bad.

We finished the island loop nighttime trip, and Navarre invited me to his barracks.

Sumay Cove Marina at sunset, Naval Base Guam.

When we arrived, there was some loud music coming from the other end of the barracks. Navarre reached into his bag, and retrieved something unfamiliar to me. He pressed the instrument, and the loud music suddenly stopped. He had achieved his Christmas Eve goal. And we never reconnected. In those times, we were meeting so many new people. I reflected on how he knew me to propose this adventure. He must have gambled that I could sing a little, and was up to the adventure.

Another unusual happening

Same location. One evening I decided to go on liberty, to the town of Agana, where I could indulge in my very favorite Filipino dish. Also, there were jukeboxes, and one could hear the latest popular records in the USA.

As I feasted away, someone walked into the restaurant. Holy cow! It was Francis B. who was originally from my hometown. We had shared the same life experiences growing up. But he was always a year ahead of me in education. However, when I joined the Navy, he was employed at some southeast Alaska hospital. I asked him what he was doing, and he replied he was on his way to see his current Island girlfriend. His ship was docked miles away. Well, sorry about his girl, but this was a time for a few beers together. So we went to a nearby tropical joint. We were free to talk about ourselves, and get up to date. Eventually, he invited me to see his ship. I had never been stationed on ship, so it was a new adventure. I noted how popular Francis was among the other sailors.

We parted on a happy note. I went to the highway road to hitchhike back to the base. Hardly any traffic. I stood near a lamplight, and noticed a coconut crab starting to make his way across the road. I played a game. I urged it on; encouraging it to keep going as a few cars came whizzing by.

It was very close to the other side, as I happily urged it on. Just one more car coming, I said! Yippee!

SPLAT!