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Cecil Field, “Number Please” and a Hangar full of Furniture

My Father, Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. worked at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field his whole career. He worked in the public works area at both NAS Jax and Cecil . Working longer at Cecil there was a long-lasting friendship of staff developed with his leadership. He was a kind man and honest to the core.

Cecil opened 1941-closed 1999- Photo Credit: unknown

When we were growing up, the base, located on Normandy Blvd. near our home, was a place we frequented often. My Mother, a stay-home Mom and with a family with only one car would sometimes take my Dad to work giving us a car for the day. That would mean she would have to take him to work and pick him up at the end of his work schedule. We would all pile in the car before day break to take him, go shopping, run around and do car things and then return at the close of the day to pick up Daddy.

In the morning we could stay dressed in our pj’s or play-clothes but if my Dad wanted us to check out his digs, we had to dress the part and put on Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Ugh! We all, the three of us, hated that, but the perk was, we got to go see Daddy at work, see the airplanes and meet all of these people who hugged and petted us. We liked that just fine. Who doesn’t like the bosses kids and we were well behaved. Daddy was kind-hearted but we were expected to mind our manners and we did.

During my Father’s time at Cecil Field, it was the largest Naval Air and military base in terms of land area with over 22,000 acres. He worked there from the mid 1940’s until his retirement around 1975. During that time, he managed public works including the telephone and communication office and in addition worked to provide furniture for Navy members and their families.

We visited the furniture storeroom on occasion as well as the office where the phone lines were pulled in and out using an old phone switch, later called a phone jack. This, dating back to 1884 evolved over the years but was used into the 1960’s with ladies saying “number please” and making connections. That was always an intriguing visit.

Cecil Field was a full fledged Naval base and we spent much time on and off of the property as my Dad served well.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Family, History, Military, Transportation | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 17

Wreaths Across America

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom.

Freedom is not free. Someone paid the ultimate price and others served with a cost as well.

Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. My Dad.

The Wreaths Across America program happened here in Jacksonville and across the United States on December 17, 2022. The mission is stated above and is a reminder that we must love and protect our freedom.

This year, my 9 year old grandson participated in the laying of wreaths and was able to lay a wreath on the grave of my Father, a World War II vet and a cousin. He also laid a wreath on that of Mema .He laid a wreath by Alec P. Vaughan, Jr., my Dad, his great grandfather and a cousin, Richard Torres. He also laid one by his Mema, Emily Sweet Vaughan and her husband, George Sweet.

There were ceremonies across America including at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. near, Washington, DC., The Nation’s Capital and the boys had a ceremony at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery.

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom. 12-17-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Family, Military | Comments Off

December 4

Free Bagged Tree- Day 4

Obviously, I did not get a tree up until day 4 when I was taking my grandson to a school event and there was a FREE sign on a bagged tree roadside. After dropping him off , I returned to the freebie and getting out of the car met the tree owner who was standing in his driveway. He helped me put the “free” bagged tree in backseat of my car and I ended up home putting up a Christmas tree. It’s about 7 feet tall and already has lights.

Callie, my 4 month old kitty loved it. (I’m not sure how I’ll handle it when I get the ornaments up but, we’ll see going forward.)

See you tomorrow,

12-3-22

Category: Family, Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 22

The Gas Tank That Didn’t Detonate. But Why?

According to “Foster Fuels . Com” propane can heat up in as little as 20 minutes and the gas in it never expires. So, why in the world did the propane tank that when shaken leveraged itself as if it had a great amount of liquid but did not go capooey when it was in the blazing fire of July 2022 pool burn? Grace of God? We honestly think so.I’ve always told my children they are worth a million to me and I certainly stand by that.

First of all, we did not realize the tank was in the deep part of the 20 x 40 swimming pool that we were about the use for an incinerator. We had been clearing the family property and had used the 3 foot area to burn limbs, brush and small items. At some point, the tree limbs became bigger and more so we extended the burn toward the 6 foot end of the brick pool.

It would seem that with the amount of heat surrounding the old 1960’s gas propane tank that it would have gone “Capooey” and more than likely no one would be able to really tell this story because it could not have been explained.

Who even knew the tank was at the bottom of the pool? How did it get there? Who put it there and how long ago had it found it’s home at the bottom? We do not know the answers to those questions. What we do know is that after that July day’s burn, we looked the next day to see what had been accomplished and to our surprise, our lives had all been spared from an explosion. The tank was half buried in the wall of a sand pile near the bottom of the old brick swimming pool and still in tact. While it looked burned and charred, it was whole and leaning.

Propane was basically founded around the 1850’s by chemist Dr. Edmond Ronalds. By 1920, the old Ford Model T began leaking and the vapours brought about the possible uses of this volatile gas called propane, thus becoming a mainstay in the home and by 1927 came the first gas-powered cooking appliances.

The industry today is valued in worth at $34.2 billion. To us, this failure of this tank not to blow up is certainly a miracle in our mind and worth a million, per person in lives. We’re thankful today for God’s grace. We can’t answer why that either, except for by His goodness.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Family | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 21

Scrap Metal From Some 60 Years Collecting

If you’ve been following along, you know that our family has spent from January of 2022 until the November wedding preparing the property for over 100 guests. Twenty benches were built by Buddy, our family friend to accommodate as many as 120 people. We expected about 100.

From start to finish and yes, even until the last day and since, we have found scrap metal pieces on the property. It began with the demolition of the barn which had been built in the 1960’s and filled often with “stuff”. From there to the pole barn, the camper, the burn piles to the general junk areas, scrap was removed and either hauled to the road ( 23 loads at the most recent count) or given to scrappers literally coming and hauling away pounds and pounds of scrap.

One scrapper hauled away at least 15 heavy galvanized car jacks along with tubs, basins, an auto transmission and more.

In the night of the wedding, we were folding the white curtains we had placed as a back drop on the barn and attached to the fold was a piece of scrap metal hanging by a thread. We all had to laugh.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Family, Random Posts | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 20

The Jetties

When we were young, our parents took us to the jetties where we walked on the big rocks out to the Atlantic Ocean and would fish from seemingly the top of the world. The jetties were located Northeast of town about 30-40 minutes away. It was always fun but walking on those huge rocks could be worrisome. We would each have a handful of something to carry and then we’d bend, weave, crawl and scrap our way to a comfortable rock area, all while the water might be splashing and getting us wet. It was some event for a youngster and we loved it.

Mama would pack us a lunch and Daddy would pack the fishing gear and off we would drive , “a day and another” until we’d come to huge rocks by the ocean. We’d park the car, unload the stuff and head to the rocks. There we would be until the sun would set, fishing until our hearts content. Daddy seemed to spend most of his time getting Mama’s hook replenished or unhooked from the snags. The huge waves would take the fishing line into the cracks and crevices and he’d hold, pull, jerk and navigate until the line was free. Mama was happy. She would be fishing with his pole until he got her’s untangled. She’d fish non-stop and he seemed to be getting the lines untangled non-stop. That’s sort of how it went every fishing event. Both seemed to enjoy themselves.

Those were always long, fun days. We left early and came home late. There was the usual stop by the bait shop out Heckscher Drive and then the long drive to the beaches. Living on the Westside, it took a good 45 minutes or so just to get there.

So many times we came home with a “mess of fish” and had a fish fry. There were even times that Daddy skinned the fish, froze them and we’d have a Sunday school fish fry. There was then a lot of bragging going on about how big that fish really was.

Those were many of our days in Florida.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Family, Flora and Fauna, Parks, Sports, Visit This | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 19

The War Ended. A New Life Began

My Father was a Sargent in the 7th Armoured Division of the United States Army. His position during WWII was in simple terms, a secretary or typist. It was his job to keep the records of the missions, troops, and yes, even the fallen. It was his letter that sometimes reached the family of a loved one missing in action or having given the ultimate sacrifice.

He and his United States Army troops spent time on the Western front from August of 1944 until May of 1945. After the war ended, he returned to America on the Queen Mary ship and made his way by train to Florida to be close to his love, Geneva Long who was awaiting him in Florida. In October a Florida Times Union article had her engagement photograph of her wearing a necklace he had given her. It was found among her belongings in a trunk we went through as a family. It has special meaning to those left behind.

While my Father was scheduled to return to South Carolina after the war, he was able to write his own dismissal papers and landed himself at Camp Blanding, an hour from my Mother. He and my mother would marry on December 16, 1945 after his discharge ceremony at Camp Blanding.

My Mother got a ride to Camp Blanding the night before the honourable discharge event. She stayed in a dorm prepared for visitors. The following day after the discharge papers were signed, he and my mother hitched a ride on a cattle car to Jacksonville. My Dad said he’ll never forget that long ride to Jacksonville, riding in a cattle car.

Two types of cattle cars. We’re not sure which….

My parents married that year at the Riverside Baptist Church and settled in Jacksonville where they had three children, Kathryn, Patrick and Nan.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Family, Military | 1 Comment

November 17

Saved

It is unclear if I was searching for God or if I had a new-found determination to know Him. Somewhere about 1960-something, I walked the aisle at the Woodstock Park Baptist Church, which at that time was located on St. Clair Street in Jacksonville, Fl. Interesting to note that the church moved in 1997 from St. Clair to Crystal Springs road on a 10 acre plot exactly next to our home. We had moved from the Woodstock Park area about 1960.

The church pastor who welcomed me into the fellowship was Harold Cushing and it was then that I had an experience of new life in Christ. The expression of the Christian faith is often said in this way; “I accepted Jesus in my heart” and I did.

From that time, I had convictions that I had never known and the realisation that there was indeed an eternity and that I would one day see Jesus face to face. Yes, I believe that even today. No, I have not lived the perfect life but yes, I live forgiven daily as I depend on His Holy Spirit for strength, power and understanding.

For many years, we remained at Woodstock Park Baptist Church and both of my parents served faithfully. My Father was a deacon and my Mother worked in various positions at the church and as listed in the 1964 Church Directory, she was on the missions committee.

When my parents bought the 10 acre plot on the Westside of Jacksonville about 8 miles from Woodstock Park Baptist we continued to attend the church until we joined Macedonia Baptist on Fouraker Road to get involved in the neighborhood church. It seems I was about 10 years old.

It was so interesting in 1997 when Woodstock Park Baptist Church moved right next to our home on Crystal Springs Road. They purchased the land and built a big, beautiful, white church with office buildings and all. Our family never returned to join the church, although my niece was pianist there for a bit. In my Father’s older age, he visited a few times by simply walking across his property line to the churches transom. Full circle.

In 2019, Woodstock Park Baptist ended up in the hands of Hillcrest Baptist Church and there was a name change. It will alway be Woodstock Park Baptist to me though.

In my adult life, I attended Westside Baptist Church and then joined the First Baptist Church, the fellowship of my grandparents, Clifford and Lula Long. Again, full circle.

My life would have been very different without Christ. I’m thankful for the change. I’ll never be the same.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Brochure- Jason Whittkopp

Category: Churches, Faith, Family | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 16

The Day the Tractor Disappeared Under Ground

In 2022, our family was deep, (no pun indended) into having my Father and Mother’s property cleared and prepared to host a wedding for Kristie, our youngest daughter. To do this, huge trees were removed and pushed to the back of the property where the massive roots were put on a fire in hopes to clear the land without the expense of removal. The weight and massive size of the trees would have cost a great deal to haul away so we tried burning to save. The biggest problem was the huge tree logs and roots were fresh wood and not easily burned. In addition, we went through a rainy season which kept the wood damp. When push finally came to shove, and our time was getting short before the wedding, we hired a young guy who had a new Kubota tractor. Boom! Done in a matter of minutes.

Ronnie, Kristie’s Dad videod the whole event and in the video showed this young forester, literally disappearing into the ground digging out a hole big enough to put 3 gigantic roots weighing thousands of pounds. The roots were almost as big as the equipment he was driving but he had no trouble digging out that dungeon and pulling in those massive pieces of wood, then covering them with a smooth surface.

He was on the property about 2 hours for which his payment would be $500. In that time, he spread a full truck load of number 57 rock, disappeared into the hole numerous times, leaving us with a walkway between the chapel and barn and a parking lot with a smooth surface of dirt for which to plant grass.

His disappearing act was exactly what was needed to prepare our grounds to host a perfect wedding and yes, we had that wedding.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Family, Transportation | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 14

Jacksonville Fair Frills

Every year, our family enters something into the Jacksonville Fair arts contest. It’s fun and free and you might even win a dollar or so. This year, I entered a cabinet door painted with chickens and won the $10 prize for “Best in Class”. How fun! Also entered was a drawing of the Jacksonville clock which received a blue ribbon. Yay.

As a “wanna-be” artist and being named “Nan”, I paint by the name of “Nan Gogh”. My cousin, Phyllis once teased me in that way and from then, Nan Gogh has been my assigned painting name.

Kathy, my sister has won multiple first place ribbons at the fair over the years and this year was no different, she received a first place for her drawing of Mollie, the family dog.

Ramey, my 9 year old grandson is now in his 2nd year of winnings with a first place this year for his photo of our family old Dr. wagon which was recently restored on our parent’s Homestead property.

Ah…What to do for next year…

See you tomorrow,

2022

Category: Art, Family, People | LEAVE A COMMENT