I was stationed aboard the USS Antietam (CVS-36), part of the Anti-Submarine fleet, in 1955. I enlisted before being drafted and served on the flight deck crew before our overseas deployment.
Our ship spent time in dry dock at the Boston Navy Yard, followed by a short stop in the Virginia Navy Yard. Eventually, our final destination was Mayport, Florida, where the Antietam became a training ship for future pilots.
Whenever I had shore duty, the local USO was always my first stop. They welcomed us lonely sailors with open arms and provided a safe, comfortable place to relax. Sometimes, they even helped arrange local rooms to rent in private homes, making shore duty and leave far less stressful—and much more enjoyable.
What I remember most were the kind, gray-haired ladies who volunteered there. Their warmth and generosity made a lasting impression on this young 19-year-old sailor.