The Franklin Street Gate

I took a sentimental hike up Franklin Street this morning. When I was a student here at DLI, the base was as much like a college as it was an army installation. My how things have changed since 9-11! Now the gates are locked, closed amd barred, there are guard houses on both sides of the street, there are tire puncture devices inside the gate and a dozen signs warning that if you attempt to get on base, you will be drawn, quartered, shot and burned. I’m exaggerating, but not by much.

I still remember thankfully my classmates in our small section:
1. Rick Gilbreath
2. David Bridgeforth
3. Captain Tom Whiteside (USMC)
4. Chief Bob Davignon (USN)
5. Kathy Fletcher
6. Paul Middendorf
7. Francis Laws
8. David Bourne
9. Darwin Keeter
10. Sue Pang
11. Fred Wiese

And I salute our excellent teachers: Mr. Chen, Mr. Wong, Mrs. Ho, Mrs. Ma, and Mr. Fei, all expatriates who left Bei Jing in 1949 when the communists took over the government. I should also acknowledge our accomplished Department Chairman Mr. Chang.Read more