Page 36 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
was born on November 2, 1932
to Orie and Madge Perkins
I in Illinois. My father was a
pharmacist mate in the US Navy.
Yes, I was a navy brat. I lived at
several naval bases, from Bremerton
in Seattle to the Great Lakes Naval
Station.
During one of these stays, I had
an appendicitis attack. The base
hospital removed it with lots of
complications. All they fed me was
carrot soup. I do not like carrot
soup or cooked carrots to this day.
After Bremerton Naval Base, Mom
and I moved to Richardsville,
Kentucky, just a spot in the road. I
think the population was 120. The
school said I did not have enough
schooling, and I had to repeat 3rd
grade. Everyone agreed but me.
I remember Mom had to move us to
an old farmhouse on the hill because
our house got flooded. Why do I
remember this so well? Not because
of the flood! The farmhouse was
infested with fleas!! Mom had to
set off bug bombs. Back then, they
literally were bombs. The wick was
set on fire and started smoking.
Now that was awesome!
I recall Dad inviting Mom and me to
visit him at the Boston Naval Base.
36 Amarillo Senior Link
A Navy Brat
Looks Back
Just a few facts and memories about me,
Marion H. Forsythe
At that time, Mom and I lived in bus. We were married on February
warm Kentucky. When we stepped 27, 1955. Her mom continued not to
off the train in Boston, there was 11 like me (because I wasn’t Catholic or
inches of snow of the ground! Dad Italian) until I brought her baby girl
purchased a fur coat for Mom and a back home for a visit.
new coat for me!
Virginia and I were stationed at the
My father was on board the Amarillo AFB where Robert James
destroyer, USS Monssen, during was born on July 26, 1957. We were
the battle of the Solomon Islands, then transferred to Chanute AFB
later called the Naval Battle of in Illinois where Anna Maria was
Guadalcanal. On November 13, born on September 21, 1959. When
1942 at 02:20, she was hit by 39 Robert was about to be born, all the
shells and set ablaze. There were guys told me not to worry; I would
only five survivors. She blazed have plenty of time to get Virginia
throughout the day and sank in the to the hospital. Virginia said it was
early afternoon. We never heard time. I calmly gathered, packed, and
from Dad again. I was ten. loaded her in the car. I coolly drove
to the hospital, got her out and
Mom married Shelby Clay Forsythe, told the nurse. The nurse wasn’t
Jr. when I was 12. He officially alarmed, births take time. The nurse
adopted me. Shelby Clay was wheeled Virginia into a room but
the principal of the high school I came flying out yelling, “I need a
attended - Beaver Dam High School doctor!” The doctor didn’t make it.
in Kentucky. Beaver Dam is a small Lesson learned. When Virginia said
town, latest population census 3,515. it was time to go with Anna, I hit
the ground running, went through
I attended Western Kentucky the guard gates flashing my lights,
University for two years then
decided to join the Air Force on doing about 70. Anna was born
May 25, 1954. I did my training about 5 minutes after arrival. Whew!
at Sampson AFB just outside of After teaching aircraft hydraulics
Geneva, NY. One day, a buddy for six years, I received an honorable
asked me to drive him to Auburn, discharge on August 9, 1962 and
NY. We went to the soda fountain moved back to Amarillo. I liked
to eat. Behind the counter, cooking living there and believed it to be a
and serving sodas, was my future great place to raise a family.
bride, Virginia Marie Calescibetta.
Her mom didn’t like me. So, when Virginia and I did a good job raising
I was transferred to Wichita Falls, them, if I may say so myself. Now,
TX, Virginia followed, travelling by I have four grandchildren and three