POL Men 1956

POL men were a special breed. One thing was for sure they were tough, Working in a POL depot was hard work, it was also very dirty. You can became a true POL man when you could accomplish a certain task, We had rows and rows of 50 gallon drums weighing from 250 pound to around 300 depending what type fuel was in them. They were stacked 3 high, On the second and third level they were rolled up a ramp (wood).

Now to be that true POL man you took the sides of the drum with your hands and with your legs also pushing you got the drum up the ramp by yourself,(I did it) plus grab the drum with one hand on the rim and give it a twist so it could be rolled on the ground.

How tough were these men. This did happen. One night one of our men wanted to get in the orderly room on the first floor. The CQ (Charge of quarters) would not let him in and locked the door (The soldier drunk??) So he took his fist punched a hole in the door, Oh he got in.

Then fights in the EM club. POL men were well known.

But then there was the black soldier Sp3 Blankenship. He was a soldier of many talents, play the piano a clerk ,but one day he approached a couple of us and said he had learned to hypnotize he needed a couple of men to experiment on/So he told us where to meet him downstairs in an a room with just tables and chairs. He explained what he was going to do and that he would not hurt us (needle etc). He went to each of us and gave us a task to do, the next thing I knew it was like walking in your sleep. I left the room walked upstairs into a room with soldiers, I said something then returned to the room downstairs. He did what he said he could do.

Then the break room incident that was 1956,,,it was getting cold so we were allowed to make a fire in the pot belly stove outside the POL area in a shack on a large concrete platform With huge fire extinguisher on it that could be rolled. So as usual they try to get a fire started one soldier got impatient got some fuel and put it on the fire. I was outside a noise a lot of smoke soldiers pounding on the back of the break room windows broken and the big laugh of the day the fire extinguisher did not work, But it turned out more smoke than fire. No more fuel used to get the fire hot.

I guess the best memory they have of me is when I would be on my motorcycle and the POL truck would go by and I would see the soldiers in the back.

To sum up we were dirty hard workers but our sleeping quarters were kept immaculately clean.

30 Caliber Carbine Firing Range 1956

In June the word passed around we would go on the firing range to fire our carbines. I had been in the company a couple of years and never saw my weapon. So on May 25, 1956 the 2 ½ ton truck was loaded with men from the platoon who left for the firing range. I was helping back at the caserne so I left in a jeep with the Sgt driving The Company Commander on his right and I was in back.

It was getting late in the afternoon, it was cloudy and some fog as we got close to the edge of the forest of the highway to go to firing range. We were on the main road and the Sgt says to me "Check the back and see if any cars are coming". (Big mistake), the window in the back of the jeep was plastic and not the clear type. I look in back, I said "All clear" The Sgt went to make a left turn; a large Citroen side swiped us. Amazing no damage to the jeep but the French car got some scratches. A Gendarme was nearby and all was resolved very quickly, No I did not get in trouble no one hurt except the French car (but I do not think they would ask me if anything is in back anymore)

In the bivouac are it was getting dark..the fun began some soldiers found helmets with Officer bars on them and went around as it got dark making believe they were officers, One group cut down a small tree which fell on a tent lucky no one inside. But we finally settled down. The next day we marched out to the firing range. We got a little instruction on the carbine then we fired all day. After dinner that night we got a short break and as it got dark we were all line up and started to March in the woods, Hour after hour we just kept on going.

Now it was around midnight. In the distance I hear the clanking of metal cups. We came into a big clearing in the woods and the cooks had coffee brewing in large cooking pots, The order was given "Get out you cups which was under you canteen, So as we passed Hot coffee and a donut but we kept on marching...I have never drank a cup of coffee that tasted that good. We did get to sleep before the sun came up.

On the 11th June Special orders number 25:
1.Following Officers and EM
Fontainebleau Sub Depot Det,(7864)
APO 11,US Army
Having fired Carbine Cal 30 Course "B" at Fontainebleau France 25th may 56 qualified as Indicated.
Sp3 Phillip Meyer RA 14 386233
My score 126 EXPERT (on a carbineThe highest score was made by a PFC Jack Jenkins a 138 followed by our Company Commander who made a 136

Capri 1956

Naples/Capri

I wasn't in Naples a few minutes when I was approached by a man who ask me if I was selling cigarettes got a bad feeling. Then talking with some people they said why no go to Capri. They said when the boat arrived look for a man who had the name of his hotel on his cap. So I got in the boat and it did not take long to get to the Island,Sure enough waiting with others was a man with the name of a hotel on his cap. I went with him.

The hotel was at the highest point on the Island..I got a real nice room and out of it I could see the ocean and the mountain with the volcano which had snow on top of it..I talk a lot with the owner of the hotel watch TV which had broadcast from the Vatican..I took a ride on a cart pulled by a horse to tour the Island and even went to Mass. What made this Mass very unusual young people were going to Confession kneeling before the priest in front of the whole congregation and the second was the huge Hosts they used for Holy Communion.

My best time was in the dinning room. The food was sent up from a kitchen below by a
I guess they called a dumb waiter. The food was excellent,,but I kept asking when they would have a pizza. Sure enough one day these little pizzas were being served I waited for mine and here came this huge pizza which was served to me.

My week was up and I went to pay my bill,,then the surprise the owner said he enjoyed me so much my bill was paid except for the wine which was not that much,then it was on a train going back to France. In Paris I ate a meal at the train station then caught a train to Fontainebleau.

Oh the hotel I would stay in Paris The Escargo de or,,anyway translated "The Golden snail"

The Experiment

In 1956 when I went to Pierre’s house I would study my radio lessons from the NRI (National radio Institute). In his room, it was quiet and nobody bothered me.

While I was studying I got interested in Morse code, I did not have the device to send out the signal. Pierre suggested a store in Paris that sold radio equipment. I got myself a pass and I was off to Paris on my motorcycle, It was not that bad until I got to Paris then I got in heavy traffic but I got to the store safely and I bought a Morse code key device.

On the way back I stopped at a little café on the side of the road to eat, her waitress kept asking me what nationality was I. German, Dutch, she kept naming nationalities. Then I told her I was an American, she was very surprised.

Back on the road now I had to dodge trucks on the road, When I got to Fontainebleau the tail pipe came loose on my motorcycle now it was making this loud noise,,,Lucky I did not have far to go to Pierre’s house. Where I got it fixed.

Now I had the Morse code device and the next day I decided to experiment, I attached a long antenna and put it out his window I had it all set up so it work, I did not know much Morse code but I thought I would hit the key a few times just to experiment with it, So here I am hitting the key many times when Pierre comes running in the room, Phillip he says the signal was being picked up all over town, I should stop immediately.

In camp I had learned enough that I was able to fix a couple of radios. It was only when I got to studying about Television that I did not do well.

Prologue 54-67 - France

Military 54-57

I gave it thought,,before I write my story who was I?? Where did I fit in the military? What led up to one of the best years in my life. So, education I had graduated from "Wayne junior High 9th grade in New jersey, From there I had went to Cedar keys Florida with my foster parents but never went to school in Dec 49.....I joined the Army Dec 13 1950..I went to the Korean war,, and made PFC (Private first Class) I would stay a PFC for many years.Yes education did play a factor....What would help me is they made a new rank Specialist 4th,5th class.That would come later.....In the Army and other services you were known partly by your serial number,,Example mine was RA 14 385 23 another would star with US.....An RA meant you were regular Army in other words you joined the Army..A US before your number meant you had been drafted.

My relative mostly lived in New Jersey..My sisters Mary, Flora and my Brother Bill,,and My Mother,,,

That next time I joined the Army I would stay until retirement..because of my education I went from a good job to a worse job.

Elvis Presley. Nat King Cole, Doris day, Bob Hope,Bing Crosby,,,were the stars of the day,,,...
I smoked a little,,,Pipe, cigar and cigarette but still a little,,,You have to smoke a Dutch cigar and cigarette to appreciate a good tobacco.

Church when I got to France I went to the local french Church....I read some very good spiritual books,, by St.Augustine,,,Seven Story Mountain by the Trappist Thomas Merton..and the Bible,,,
Television took a long time to start in France,,,During a festival I saw one for a moment that they had set up but not until 1959 I actually saw a TV in a French mans home,,,,
Communist was the word of politics,,54 to 57 my three year vacation.....began..1956 one of those years like good wine gets better every year.

Abbey St.Martin

Dear readers..This is the story I like to tell..because it just does not go the way you think it would,,but this is how i made my first trip to a Monastery..lets see not yet 20...In the Church 10 years..4 bioarding school around 3 1/2 Army...Maybe that had something to do with it..Phillip

                                                                               JMJ
Monastery St.Martin
Liguge, France
Phillip Meyer S/sgt Ret.
                                                                         St.Martin 1953
 Around June of 1953 the Flochets suggested I go to a monastery make a retreat.It wasn't that far away and I could go there on a bicycle................No you would think I would have on my best clothes catch a bus or train (if possible) I go to the Monastery door.They know I am coming and three days of spiritual bliss;
Well that is not exactly the way it happened..
                                                                          The visit to the Monastery.....
   I got a three day pass and I had some civilian clothes.A shirt and trousers that was about it,I caught the bus to town and got my old bicycle from the Flochets.I had a little sack to put items in it .I bought a loave of bread,,some cheese,a can of sardines,and a bottle of red wine,,,With that stuffed in my little bag I started to bicycle toward the Monastery.I passed many farms and finally reached Poiter,Hot and tired I stopped and went into a Church.On the floor were picturs in the stones from the Roman days..After the visit I kept on bicycling and arrive at Liguge.The Monastery took up most of the village.I went around the Monastery and went down a road by a farm,I sat by a tree,,I took out my food, The sardines went (with a little wine) the bread and cheese with a little wine) then all that was left was the wine which I finished with the hot sun beating down on me.I got on my bicycle..but I kept going from side to side (I wonder why).There was a door on the wall of the Monastery.I knocked on it and a Monk ask what I wanted.I just said I wanted to stay a couple of days.He let me in no questions,I was given a small room with just a bed,,The bathroom was an out house.nearby.
In the morning a priest came to my door very early wake me up to serve Mass.I served with Rev Reni Ossart
for many years.My first duty learn prayers in french as well as latin which I knew,.After Mass a bowl of very strong coffee and milk ,Honey and bread,That was it but very good,..I went in the worship area when no one was there.After awhile I started to cry I just kept on crying..To this day I do not know why..I went to the town which was not very much at that time.A few houses and a cafe,When I went in the café I found they spoke French much differently.It was hard to under stand..In the back of the Monastery was a railroad track,,I do not remember a train coming by...One day I was in the worship area and the Monk was playing the organ..That was something to hear,,At meal time dinner and supper I ate with the monks..As you ate a Monk read from a spiritual book,,That is where I got my love for endives that the Monks served with the meals,,It was over quickly,,I was ready to leave and father Rani Acerate had to remind me that a little donation was nice before you left,Lucky I had some francs in my pocket.Over the years as I came back I would be with father Acerate.
The Monastery built around the year 700...then rebuilt,,I served at an altar where St.Martn performed a miracle,,,
Phillip Meyer S/sgt Ret

The Flochets

Dear readers....Some memories of the Flochets..Have any of you ate a pigeon..not much meat but good..My eye getting better but need to wear something for five more weeks and eye drops..Phillip

                                                                           JMJ
The Flochets 1953
Chatelerault,France
Phillip Meyer S/sgt Ret.
                                                                       Fishing..
  
One of the first real family thing I did with the Flochets was to go fishing, The day came we walk to the river (seine),Which I estimate was in the middle of town.On one side of the river was the predominate Communist.The town was separated by a bridge,In the middle of the river was a small Island, across the river you could see a church on the left and houses,,We had simple poles with just string and a hook,,The family chose spots to fish.I found one close to the shore.I got a bite then another and I gave a tug.I shouted and they all came near me as I pulled in a big fish,As I remember it was the only one we caught,So the Flochets ate a big fish that night,,
                                                                     Movie
There was a lot of excitement the movie in town had "Fernadel" a famous comedian and actor.He was staring in "La petite monde de Don Camillo" (Roughly translated "the little world of father Camillo:
It was the story of a priest who battles it out with the Communist Mayor of a town" I went with Guy to see the movie.there was a very long line.This did not stop "Guy" who got down crawled in between peoples feet and some how got him self to te head of the line.Fernadel was a good actor and I saw other movies with him in it.
                                                                     Paris
Guys father said he had been writing to his relatives in Paris and I was invited to stay with them for a couple of days.I got a three day pass and took a train from town to Paris.The Flochet relative met me.It was a different Flochet.He was well educated.fairly rich,He took me to his apartment..The first thing he did was have his small daughters move to a different room and I got there room.It was a small apartment.The table we ate on was by a window,As I look to my right I could see the Eiffel tower.The next day he took me around Paris..The first place was a plain building and inside was a collection of all type dishes cups every type of dinner ware.We went to the Louvre..and other places in Paris..

                                                                    Guy accident
   One day I went to the Flochet house and they said that guy had hurt his arm (sprain? Broken)He had his arm in a cast..Why mention this because I was learning something about my self (20 years old).In as much as I wanted to share in good times I also wanted to be there when things went wrong.I was at camp..I was not family...So as such I was not able to participate whenj it happened..However when his Mother got sick I went with him and saw her at the hospital..
Next the Monastery......Phillip Meyer S/sgt ret

The Flochet's - France - 1953

The Flochet's 1953
Chatelerault, France

The Flochet's

As I got to know the Flochets it was Guy and Allen that I knew the best. Allen the oldest and Guy around 8 years old. The few times I got to town the bus would stop right next to there house..There I would meet the whole family. I ate dinner with them a couple of times. They were very simple meals, vegetables from there garden and a pigeon. While it was still cold they gave me wine that was heated up.

Allen was studying to be a fixer of watches. Guy as we went along was picking up all the information he could and eventually got a good job with the American military (years later).One day of the year May 1st was the big day for the Communist in town. So we could go to town if we went to the local American club. The bus driver knew where I wanted to get off and I went to the Flochets. When the bus returned I was ready to get back on. One day I was restricted to post..So I did not have a pass. What did you do? I went to the back of the bus and hid behind the last seat. The Guard would go down the seats but never check behind the last one. A lot of soldiers did this One day the Communist citizens had a parade..It was very peaceful.

A favorite memory. One day Guy went to a summer camp. I had a bicycle (and old one) but it worked. I got the directions and headed out to see him. The road going there went along a forest..At one point I saw the sign "La Rond du Chen"..The small road I went down had trees on both sides,Then just like that I was in the camp. In the middle of the forest a large circle in the Forest on the edge a couple of small houses,,,It was beautiful..As I drove around the circle I found a road and there was Guy with other teenagers..On the edge of the road the remains of an old church..They were playing a game with small hoops. They would throw it and the boy would put out his hand to let it go on his arm,,I only stayed a short time and I had to get back to camp. I got back on the road and I took another route. As I went down a small hill I found they had just put fresh tar on the road and I got some on my khaki uniform.

More Later....Phillip Meyer