https://libertystation.com/explore/walk-back-through-time
“Cradle of the Navy” US Naval Training Center San Diego, CA c1948
“Liberty Station, formerly known the Naval Training Center San Diego, welcomed its first Navy recruits in 1923. After training up to 50,000 recruits a year for over 60 years, Liberty Station is now San Diego’s Town Square. As you walk through the historic grounds, parks, and open spaces, take a step back in time.”
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| US Naval Training Center, San Diego c1948, Co. 255, V. H. Sparks BMC Co. Cmdr |
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| Aunt Marlene Sparks and Nephew Steve Sparks reunite after 40 years! Marlene’s husband, Ronald Sparks, was trained at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1958, where his brother, Vernon, served as Master Chief running the boot camp. |
I have faint memories living a close quarters in a Quancet Hut on the US Naval Base at Liberty Station in around 1950. My brother Dan was around was 3 years old. I was 4 at the time, recovering from Polio. Brother Jerry was 9 years old…
Dad was sent the Naval Training Center (NTC) to train boots 2 years after he returned from the Pacific War in June 1945. He was pretty sick then after 5 years total in combat, including Pearl Harbor…
I remember the crowded space in the 750sf Quanset Hut. There were 5 of us living in this space. It was smoky from a constant fog of cigarette smoke that never seemed to go away. I still smell it, and the booze too.
As you might imagine, I can’t stand the smell of cigarette smoke and booze these days. I did drink too much in my younger years, but no more for the last 20 years. We like it that way in our home…
Dad was a Chief Boatswains Mate (BMC), a highly decorated WWII hero. I don’t think we knew much about that back then.
I remember, though, how hard life was in a chaotic setting. We were a living in a profoundly dysfunctional home as a post WWII military family on the base…
Dad was a sailor’s pride for most, except maybe us kids. Mom was upset alot, it seemed. Military moms were heroes too. Military families served silently as the war raged on., not knowing if their loved ones would ever make it home alive…
Of course, Dad, made it back with a body and mind that never healed. He was in fight/flight mode 24/7 for most of his life after the war. As a family, we got that way as well over time living with a warrior…
Dad trained trained the first boots at NTC San Diego. America had to rebuild the Navy after the tragic loss of so many heroes who served in the Pacfic War.
I remember Dad now, especially in these later years. Extensive research and writing, including publishing my first book, Reconciliation, a Son’s Story, published in 2011 by Signalman Publishing Company, helped me heal from a childhood we hate to recount as kids…
Dad was a hero, and one of the toughest warriors on the planet during that time. He, along with 1000s of Sailors and Marines stormed the beaches of the South Pacific.
They fought fought hard to save America and our freedoms. We should never ever forget them, especially the military families who served too…
We honor veterans of all wars, especially this time of the year, between Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. This time of the year is especially triggering for me. I write to learn and heal. I do this for all us, especially my family, so that we never forget what America fought and died for so long ago…
Children and Families in Life After Trauma
Please purchase my book and learn much more about life as a post WWII Navy family…
