Rank: A1C
At Opheim: from October 1965 thru January 1967 approx. 15 months.
Job: personnel and admin clerk - really a `go-for` job. Worked in the office with Major Bevan, Lt Alan R Pendelton AND Msgt Russell Girard (who actually ran the 779th) (Still in touch with Mrs. Girard who lives in Great Falls and I`ll be seeing in July)

COLD was not the word to describe Opheim. Remember the night (deep into the night) one of the towers caught fire??? Fiasco city.. Almost immediately the water which was sprayed onto the tower became frozen and did more damage than the fire; completely destroyed the tower and wasted so much time and energy attempting to extinguish the blaze. Well the airmen/nco/officer club `toasted` the toasted tower for many weeks after the blaze.

I remember coaxing the cook at the chow hall to get the bacon out of the oven (boiled in its own fat) to the grill - where it belonged. And Dining Ins in Class "A"s.

I used to bang the piano a bit and drinks were REAL CHEAP. Cigs were 1.80 a carton at the BX. Happily, that is something I gave up when I turned 40 - a few light years ago.

Down town - a bowling alley, couple of bars, and gas station. and lots of booze. and Wind..

On site, Overhead hot water heating system. One day a radiator separated in a barracks room and caused one of the airmen to lose some flesh from his arm. big mess. And the day that a young airman was out with his .44 mag 6 shooter and shot himself - accidently in the leg. In the thigh of the right leg and out lower down and then thru the left leg and out near the ankle. Thought we were gonna lose him Maj. Bevan went with him to the hospital in the ambulance. He limped for many years later I heard.

An article 15 for some one who cut the extension cord to someones car causing some damage. Snow drifts that defied description and GROUND BLIZZARDS with blue sky........Ropes to grab onto to get around the site and parka pants and muck-uh-lucks.........AND Trunk checks to see that you had blanket, candles, other life preserving stuff.

Remember a fabulous 64 Olds Starfire 4 Dr HT that was loaned to a friend and he blew up the tranny. Les Byers was never the same. He truly loved that car.

Food and drink at Dick & Margaret Konizeski`s instead of chow hall stuff.......She had a great accent. still does................. Had dinner with Lt Pendelton and wife--- several of us, and had artichokes for the first time. He instructed us how to eat.

I was stationed in Great Falls before coming to Opheim and drove back there once in a while. At Glasgow they were flying DC 3s- gooney birds- for Frontier Airlines. I left Glasgow at the same time ( the plane stopped in Havre) I quickly stopped for gas and I beat the plane to Great Falls. No speed limit in those days - except thru towns. It is back that way again. Reasonable and proper

When you got change you received silver dollars instead of bills. Always was wearing holes in the pockets. Gas at the "Gas-o-mat". I got my first car in 64 and gas was 19.9 cents per gal. So you went to the `gas o mat` with a buddy. You popped in your 3 bucks and when there was gas left over, he came in for the rest and filled up. The next time you would reverse. R & R at Richard Gebaur and Other watering holes around the west.

WAR GAMES NU DETS etc etc etc........ 33+ years ago