Just found another trove of my dad's stuff

[HAB911]

An old proverb says, "Nut not fall far from tree". He spent his time as a SeaBee on a PT boat base in New Guinea with magneto phones and switchboards with operators. I spent my time on the DMZ with a Stromberg Carlson common battery switchboard, "Camp Dodge Switch". He joined at the birth of the SeaBees while working for the Bell System. I was drafted while working for GTE. We were both guaranteed a job when and if we returned to civilian life and luckily returned to take advantage of that.

I'm a pack rat too and saved about as many items from my active duty as he did, although SeaBees were not scrutinized as much over what they brought back from the war as I was by the Army. These are items I hadn't seen before, and a couple struck a cord about returning to civilian life. Hope you find these interesting.

[thinkingagain]

1. That's really cool

Thanks for sharing

[HAB911]

6. my pleasure!

[snowybirdie]

2. My dad

was a Seabed too. Drafted in '43 and put there because he was a month shy of draft age which was 36. He was on Sipan.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. How very cool that you found these wonderful items, my dear HAB911!

I do find them interesting! Whenever I run across stuff that dates from before I was born, that involved either of my parents, I am thrilled!

This is what they were like way back when. Remarkable!

Congrats on your new finds! I hope that you'll keep on discovering.

[HAB911]

7. Thanks peggy

I have so many things he saved, from newsletters printed on the PT boat base, onboard transport ships, and a ton of photos. Soon I begin investigating how to submit it all to the Smithsonian, some of this must be one of kind.

[Deuxcents]

4. I enjoyed seeing these. Ty

I started with Southern Bell out of downtown Miami in 1965. Graduated on Friday and started to work on Monday. Testing was done on my Easter break. We all knew that the people being drafted from AT&T (Bells) would have their jobs when they came home. I have not always liked some of their policies but this one was stellar as far as I’m concerned. I worked a non traditional job and when these guys came back with all their military training in communications, I always considered them to be so far advanced, even with all our Bell Labs training. I really enjoyed seeing the promise made in writing as you have posted. Ty for you and your Dad’s service ☎️

[HAB911]

8. glad you enjoyed!

After he retired he moved to Leesburg Fl with United Tel and at least was close to me here in Tampa where I was with GTE. You might enjoy this photo of my older brother and my dads new truck, I believe before he left for the Navy. (I restored from a nasty negative) That little guy went on to work for Bell and was in the SeaBee reserves!

[Deuxcents]

10. I love it! The ol' Ma Bell logo, too

I started out as Operator and graduated (retired) on the test board. Had a few other jobs along the way but was fortunate because I had great training. Still keep in touch with a few people. Probably would have no clue about what’s what these days!

[HAB911]

12. I know what you mean

I retired from Alcatel-Lucent with 43 years, formerly known as Western Electric Bell Labs, and now am considered a Nokia retiree. AT&T bought my company, Automatic Electric after the consent decree separating manufacturing from the rest of the business. That became AGCS(att/gte communications systems) and eventually rolled into Lucent. We joke that everything we ever installed is now in the junk heap/asset recovery, sad to say.

I photographed a good deal of those 43 years if you would like to take a look!

https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/PHOTOS-BACK-TO-THE-1960S/TELEPHONY-CIRCA-1970-TO-2011

[Deuxcents]

14. I enjoyed going down memory lane..sort of

Some of the pictures I know well ..like the operator switchboard. I bet I could still put a call thru! The teletype machine looks a tad familiar. I was a service rep and the only thing I remember is how much I hated being yelled at by pissed off customers..in English and Spanish.I got promoted to Plant and worked in the central office for years, then to repair where I fixed customer’s telephones at their location. I should write a book about that job but I ended on the test board. A lot of smart people made me look good and I admit it as I’m thankful for their assistance. I don’t have many pictures but I do still have mementos. I just read a statement that Nancy Pelosi put out saying that “a strong middle class has a Union label on it and a strong middle class is the backbone of our Democracy.” Pretty much why I joined in the first place. Thanks for sharing your memories and Happy Labor Day

[HAB911]

15. and back at you! Enjoy the day!

[2naSalit]

5. My dad...

Was in the sea bees at first but moved to the VPs. I have some stuff of his from his military life, 20+ years, was involved in wars from WWII to Vietnam. I have his coin collection from his travels too.

But the coolest thing, I think, are his Boy Scout merit badge cards from the 1930s.

[HAB911]

9. that's cool

I love all the things that have survived the years

[GP6971]

11. About 10 years ago

my sister sent me box (along with other things) after our mother died. The box was unopened. When I finally got around to opening it, it contained letters, notes, pictures and some army correspondence about/from my uncle.

It was an eye opener...my uncle was a "ladder" soldier..up and down the ranks. Made Sergeant, got busted for fighting, back up the ladder and back down. When he was killed in the Brest campaign he was a private.

I've kept many things from my time in service. My wife keeps saying I need to get rid of stuff especially my steel helmet and LBE. Won't do it.

[HAB911]

13. same here

due to a recent death in the family and the real burden of cleaning out my SIL's personal effects drove me begin this review of what I have collected over the years. That led directly to my finding this latest box of my dad's stuff. I still have my class A uniforms hanging in the closet and my duffel bag stuffed to gills with what I don't remember, probably mess kit and canteen who know what else. I do still have my steel pot hanging on the hall tree. As you can see here, with enough beer I can be coaxed to wear it, lol.