It was during the Ortho Ward assignment that I met a fellow corpsman named Jerry. Same rank as me but senior. We hit it off well on our first meeting. He was one of the day crew who relieved my night shift on the same ward. He just arrived himself a little before me. We would, after change of shift reports, talk about ourselves. I felt comfortable with Jerry cause he was not loud or boisterous like some of the other seasoned corpsmen.
He was a stocky reddish haired man about 5' 10", 180 pounds. Spoke softly. And had a common sense attitude about life and work. He knew his job well and could have easily and quickly raised through the ranks. But had no desire to be in the service past his enlistment. He just wanted to do his time and get out. Between his view, and my accidental but sometimes often trouble with lack of military discipline, we became a friends match. He was a year older than me. And I think had as much time or a little more of enlistment as I did.
On one weekend that we both had off we decided to go downtown and party. We both needed the company of women and, from our previous introductions to the ways of the bar scenes, were informed on what to do.
First one must visit a hotel and reserve a room. Which we did. One for him, and one for me. Upon registration you are given two cards with the hotel name and room number. One of these cards will later be given to a bar hostess that you like, who at her will, would accept it and meet you there after she's off work. Now all bar hostesses are required to have regular medical check ups and certified disease free to be able to continue working. As per agreement between the City of Olongapo Health Department, and the Directives and Policies of the Commander of the US Naval Base Subic Bay, and Navy Department of Health Committee of said base. But we still wore protection. Come to think of it, I don't recall off hand, any venereal disease complaints in Sick Call.
Getting off work at five, we had evening chow, showered and dressed in our civvies and caught the 7 o'clock bus to the main gate. The sun was still a little from setting and the welcomed cooler temperatures, high 70's, was and invitation to come outside and play.
We crossed the bridge over the river, exchanged our money, got our rooms and hit the bars. As usual the downtown street scene was bustling and the club lights were coming on along with their beckoning.
The Fleet was out, meaning no carriers or other large ships were in port. So that meant plenty of girls available to party with. Ain't life grand?
We went in some bars, had a few beers, danced, and told the girls we were with, that we might come back later.
There were plenty of bars to visit and we would eventually have to choose who were the finalist of girls to spend the evening with.
The night continued and we ended up in the Valentine Club. Which was also a hotel and happened to be our hotel for our place for retirement that night.
We chose out playmates and partied in one of our rooms ordering drinks while waiting for them.
There is a midnight curfew and you had to be off the streets by then. Either in your hotel room or back on base.
The rooms were fully complete with bathrooms and showers, clean, and had piped in music. There was a switch on the wall that gave you a choice of several types of music to listen to.
What more could you ask for back then? Good rooms, bar and grill room service, music, even a view. The building was six stories tall. And we could see the city night lights.
Our girl friends showed up and we partied for a while and then retired to our separate rooms.
The next morning we all slept in, including the girls.
Finally leaving back for base late morning but early enough to catch noon chow.
Then just hanging out because we were off that day, and the next day too.
We did go back downtown that night and party. But came back to base before curfew.
We recuperated on our last day off. Then it was back to work the next day.
The next days off would include new friends and a new form of get together.