It was May of 1975 and I was making my first trip to Alameda NAS as a bride-to-be. My fiance was a sailor in the reserves; he had done his two years in Viet Nam before I met him. We had met in Superior, WI when he was home on leave and a few months later, I followed him to California.We both worked full-time and made a total of $8.00 and hour. Yes, two of us lived and saved on $1400 a month! With that income we were planning a wedding and saving for a house. The wedding and the house were both going to be small, twelve guests and 1200 square feet. Where do you shop on such a minuscule budget?
The joys of base privileges! This was long before Costco and Sam's Club. Even Walmart in California was a futuristic concept. The Commissary was the answer; Costco prices but you had to be serving military. We were able to buy everything we needed at the NAS Alameda Commissary. Champagne (cheap) and pounds and pounds of prawns and we still stayed within budget. Yes, the Navy subsidized our wedding reception.
The marriage only lasted five years, but the memories of that trip to NAS Almeda have stayed with me the rest of my life. I would come back to Alameda to visit often, and since the base closed, I would drive through the ghost town and remember how bustling it used to be. I have a favorite park bench near the old picnic grounds, which has a stunning view of the Bay. It's a bench I sit on when I have something to work out. It's a peaceful, relaxing spot.
That one visit gave me so much and it was time for me to give back. Seeing the base in it's current condition is heartbreaking. Watching the buildings crumble and the parking lots fill with weed, I can see the ghosts of long passed sailors, marines and civilians hurrying about their business. I volunteer to help preserve their stories.
I totally agree with you about the base in its present condition. I am a Navy vet working on virtually restoring NAS Alameda in Microsoft Flight Simulator as scenery totally complete and the Commissary is one of the last buildings to be placed. Hunting for accurate pictures, I shopped the Commissary at Great Lakes, Norfolk, and Fort Sheridan but never payed much attention to the exterior details on my shopping trips. Now it is difficult to get accurate information. Been working on the project for the past 3 months non-stop. Lost track of the hours as I have had so much enjoyment. Here is our Forum Post if you'd like to see it: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?99651-NAS-Alameda-CA-KNGZ-for-FSX
ReplyDeleteThank you for this photo confirming DeCA Alameda Commissary is the proper labelling in the 1970's
Been awhile since these posts. I was the Commissary Officer at NAS Alameda from 1985-1991. The building was a WWII era building. During that war the lower level was used as a mess hall. There was a mezzanine level in the back which, I am told by WWII vets, housed Italian POWs. Some of the old head facilities still existed during my tenure. I believe the building sq ft was 65,000 sq ft. Was a great store with great employees serving some wonderful active duty and retirees and there families.
ReplyDeleteGreetings: my name is Jon Robberson. I grew up visiting the NAS, Alameda Commissary and Exchange. My Grandpa, Jay Cecil Weaver was a 20 year man who served throughout the Pacific in WW2. To the gentleman who posted above & manages the facility, sir, I would love to speak with you. You took over the year I turned 13 and was thus too old to continue visiting The Base. I have very fond memories of that modest promenade: ice cream, the hotdog place. My email is: jonrobberson@protonmail.com. Here we are, 35 years later and I produce stories for a living. Please email me. Thank you for your time.
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