SUNDAY MEMORIES
After Fred graduated from SWBTS (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) in Fort Worth, Texas,
we left Texas and spent about three weeks with Fred’s family in Dayton, Ohio. From there, we drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to visit with my parents and my brothers family. Bill and DiVoran were moving from California to Florida, for him to begin working with the U.S. Space program.
I think, while we were in Albuquerque, I finally gave up that old sewing machine, and purchased a newer, modern machine. As I remember, it was a Sears Kenmore and was truly amazing, compared to what I had before!
After several months of Fred’s not being able to find a job in the religious field, his draft board told him he was being reassigned as a “1-A” which probably put him at the top of the chart for being drafted into the Army. After having completed eight years of college and seminary, he decided to see whether or not he would be eligible for a commission in the military – especially the U.S. Air Force. That turned out to be the case, and we left Albuquerque for San Antonio, Texas, for Fred to train at the Air Force’s OTS (Officer Training School). He became a “90-day Wonder” – since the training only lasted for three months. He was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (Lt) in the Air Force. Here is a picture of Fred and me following his commissioning
I had made this dress out of a pretty silky acetate fabric. I was able to wear it for quite a few years.
(his full-Colonel father came to the commissioning ceremony, to help pin on his new rank).
Here is another outfit I made during those three months Fred was at OTS. It is made from 100% cotton, and is of three pieces – skirt, sleeveless blouse, and jacket. Again, I was able to wear a jeweled pin with the jacket to hold it together. Interesting shape of the jacket, for sure.
During those three months, I essentially had the apartment to myself, as Fred was required to stay in the barracks on base, except for one night a week. So while I was working at Kelly AFB during those three months, I still had plenty of time to myself, so I spent a lot of that time sewing.
Following commissioning, Fred was given three options to choose as his field of study and service. One was missile launch officer (no thanks!), another was munitions officer (again, no thanks!) and the third choice was Meteorologist (bingo!) Since his undergraduate degree was in math and physics, that seemed to be the best choice.
In order to get the training Fred needed to become a meteorologist, he needed to study at a university that had that school of training. So the Air Force sent us to San Jose, California, for him to study at San Jose State College (university, now).
~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
You’re doing very well with this series. I look forward to reading it.
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