Military Memories of our Runner-Ups Archives - Page 2 of 14

The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

LTC David Gauntlett, U.S. Army (1966-1994)

Where did you enjoy the best chow during your military service and what was the best meal you remember? Where did you experience your worst chow?:

In 1968, I was an 18-year old Air Force buck sergeant, assigned to the 5th Tactical Control Group, Clark Airbase, Philippines. 5th TAC had detachments all over Southeast Asia and I was given the distinction of receiving a 45-day TDY to Hue- Phu Bai, where we had a radio relay site.
Our antennas were near the perimeter and we bunked with a Marine platoon who were responsible for a portion of the perimeter defenses. The Marines were most definitely not pleased that they had Air Force with them. To prove that they were absolutely correct, one night we came under the first airburst artillery attack (from NVA) I ever experienced. I was outside enjoying the show overhead clueless when a Marine came out and threw me into a bunker, noting that I was a Stupid Air Force sh*t.
The Marine platoon used the services of a nearby Seebee mess hall for their meals, so we four Air Force guys were also assigned that mess tent. The day after I arrived, I got in line and the cook asked me How do you want your eggs? My mouth dropped in disbelief and I said Over easy please. And that s what I was served. It was awesome.
That night we were back for dinner. I was asked How would you like your steak? Now THAT was the mess hall of my dreams. I prefer medium well. I ve had worse steaks at Texas Roadhouse.

GySgt William Koch, U.S. Marine Corps (1976-1996)

VA Military Memories Competition

Where did you enjoy the best chow during your military service and what was the best meal you remember? Where did you experience your worst chow?:

During my military service, I experienced a wide spectrum of culinary delights and horrors, each leaving a lasting impression on me.
It was the summer of 1981 when I found myself stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. As a young Sergeant attending inter-service training, I had yet to hear about the Air Force’s legendary dining facilities. Stepping into the chow hall for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon welcomed me, and rows of neatly set tables with actual plates and cutlery awaited. It was a stark departure from the mess halls I knew during my time with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines where your plate was a steel tray sectioned off.

MUCS James Richards, Jr., U.S. Navy (1971-1995)

VA Military Memories Competition

Where did you enjoy the best chow during your military service and what was the best meal you remember? Where did you experience your worst chow?:

The very best chow I ever had in a mess hall was at the Naval Communication Station, Nea Makri, Greece. I was attached to Commander Task Force 60.1 staff as a Navy Musician on board the USS Forrestal, CVA 59. As part of the band, we had quite a few duties that took us to the beach to either play concerts for the public or events at the Athens USO and other needs of the Admiral. Many times when we were available, the COMSTA at Nea Makri would send a bus to the fleet landing and we (our band was not a typical 18-piece band, but a 7-piece rock band called “Third Wire”) would board the bus for the ride to the Communication Station. The men and women of the base really enjoyed it when we played for them. Many times, upon our arrival, we would be ushered into the chow hall for a really great meal. It seems that this COMSTA had maybe less than 500 officers and enlisted people stationed there. In fact, as I recall, the officers and the enlisted used the same dining facility. Well, this one time, the Forrestal was in port, and it was a Friday night and the Chief tells us we are going to Nea Makri for the weekend. Well into the liberty launches, we put ourselves and our gear for the 20-minute boat ride to the fleet landing. Then onto the bus over “hill and dale” to the COMSTA Nea Makri. When we arrived, our contact told us we were just in time for evening chow. We thought it can’t be any worse than the chow on board the ship, and we piled into their chow hall. We got in line and as we approached the steam table…. one of the cooks said to us, how do you like it and how many…. which was a puzzling question for us standing in a chow line. So I remember asking, how DO I like WHAT and how many of WHAT do I want? He replied…”Steaks”…. how do you like yours cooked and how many do you want? That is when my jaw dropped. I said medium rare and one will do, thanks. Moving down the line there were baked potatoes and vegetables and even rolls and butter…. a commodity that was rare aboard the Forrestal in 1973. Well, that had to be the best meal I ever had in any Navy Mess although waking up on Christmas morning on the ship, and coming up one flight to the mess deck to find the LARGEST collection of fresh fruit I have ever seen in one place is a very close second…. but that is a story for another time…..