GEEIA

I was stationed in a GEEIA squadron in Japan.

I worked in Korea and Hawaii. Also in Japan.

I loved it. We installed TACANs. I compiled

Engineering-Installation Plans at GEEIA Region.

I was on Oahu. We used to drive to Wheeler Field

on the shuttle bus, through Pearl Harbor and Schofield

Barracks. We drank at Fort DeRussey. A San Miguel

was 20¢. A Porterhouse steak the size of a motorcycle seat

was $2.50. A dance band played old Glenn Miller arrangements.

We watched the old NCOs dance with their old dependents.

There was a BX beer garden where we bought six-packs

to take back to the transient barracks at Hickam AFB.

I said to a Navy ensign, “Purser—what time does

the President Cleveland leave?”

He did not see the humor of ir.

My buddies called me Surfer Jack,

because I wanted to get back to Tachikawa.

I hated the civilians. I hated the military.

I had gone Asiatic. I had auditory hallucinations.

I heard the Beatles singing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”

I heard the Beach Boys singing “Little Deuce Coupe.”

I hated the Beach Boys. I hated the Beatles.

The Land of the Big BX.

I wanted to stay in Japan.

I liked sumo wrestling.

I liked samisen music.

I liked dried squid.

I liked samurai movies.