Making the first run - why I made the move from Ireland to New York City

Schrivner: There was a club for higher enlisted men close to the brig - for the rank of e-7 and above, if I remember corerectly, but I was a mere corporal(E-4), besides I was a strict teetolar. The Brig Counselor was Chief Boldt (E-7) who was the reigning handball champion (Irish version) of the base. Many of the sailors and marines stationed at Subic Bay knew a few words and phrases of Tagalog, the native language of the region. The nearby town of Olangpo was staffed by Columban Fathers, most of them from Ireland. When the natives heard me use Tagalog expressions, they would say: "para ung padre" (like the priest).

Seanmor, after services, did you take them back via the Super Club after a couple of San Miguels?

Good for you Seanmor!

Well said Seanmor

The first paragraph of the above article reminds me of an experience I had at Subic Bay naval base in the Philippines in my younger days. As a marine NCO I used to volunteer to take some prisoners from the base brig to Protestasnt servises 2 or 3 Sundays a month and I soon got to know the Protestant chaplain as well as I knew the Catholic one. One Sunday the Protestant clergyman had a new asistant who asked me from what part of Ireland I came (which was his way of trying to find out the denominastion I belonged to). When I told him the Midlands, he asked, "the Northern Midlands or the Southern Midlands?". Not to be pinned down I replied, "the Central Midlands", which left him very confused. My homeland always was and always will be the whole Irish nation and all its parts.