Memories
Memories Of A PMQ Brat
On the street where I lived...
The 1960’s seemed to be a time for house parties. I remember my mom, dad and their friends
seemed to find any reason for a party. Birthday’s, Anniversary’s, a promotion….any reason;
one year my dad caught a big salmon, they had it stuffed, cooked and had a party for everyone
to help them eat it. They would play games and my sisters and I would sneak down the hallway
and watch them. I still get a chuckle when I think of Lloyd Cameron or Ray Farr trying to get
a pencil, attached to a string around the back of their waist into a milk bottle.
Mom and Dad used to bowl at the Bowling Alley on the base. I think most of my friends had
parents that belonged to the Camp Chilliwack Bowling League. Dad bowled in a men league, mom
in the woman and they both bowled in a mixed league. The bowling alley was free on the weekends
and Teentown was allowed to use it. It was fun both bowling, learning how to keep score and
even setting the pins back up was part of the fun.
The base theatre was another place were a lot of community events took place. Before the Drill
Hall was built the Christmas or Halloween parties were held there. Christmas pageants, concerts,
and the Apprentice Training Squadron always held its graduation dance there. My dad knew
Mr. Bradley, who was in charge of running the movies and every one in a while we were allowed to
go up into the projection room and watch the movie from there. The Apprentice Training Squadron
was given the job of fire picket during the movies, so when we were older and had boyfriends we
made sure we went to the movies while we on duty. My sister remembers getting 25 cents allowance;
15 cents for the show and a dime for a treat at the concession stand.
Living in a close knit community such as the Permanent Married Quarter was a wonderful way to grow
from being a child to an adult. It gave you the ability to learn want real friendship and
commradarie was all about. That you can depend on your neighbour and have them depend on you.
The flag has been lowered, sounds of reveille have faded; the soldiers have served their last post,
families have moved on and the PMQ’s stand empty and quiet. Today the dream of Garrison Crossing is
on the threshold, offering new housing to families that will bring back the harmony of a close knit
community and in time they will make their own memories to hold and cherish..
April (Stevenson) Clarke
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