New Port News, Virginia
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| 0382 Virginia Beach to Newport News Tunnel I664 (Photo credit: bsabarnowl) |
Way back when I was a very young girl (just turned 19) I moved to Newport News, Virginia to be with my ex-husband. He was in the Navy when we married and his ship, the USS Enterprise was in dry dock for repairs in Newport News. I am a small time girl from Kansas and had never been away from home at this point in my life so this was a huge move for me to make. My parents drove me with just enough belongings that fit into a very small trailer. We moved into a furnished apartment that was across the street from the ship yards. When we got to Newport News, on a Friday late afternoon, my husband was aboard the ship, as he had weekend duty. Bad timing for us to arrive that weekend.
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| USS Enterprise *Wikipedia |
My time in Newport News was interesting to say the least. The first night, after my parents had left, and the night before the ex was off weekend duty there were people pounding on my door. I was pretty terrifed and refused to answer the door. I just pretended that no one was home. The next morning I got up to find six bottles of wine propped against our door. Navy buddies had come over to welcome me!
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| *wikipedia |
There was not much for a young girl, who was terrified to leave the apartment, to do in Newport News. I would not leave the apartment unless the ex was with me. I can remember remarking to him one time that there were three things that you could find on every corner in Newport News: a sailor, a prostitute and a bar. It was a Navy town without a doubt. I did not stay there long. About 4 months and then the ship left for Los Angeles and then out to sea. This was during the Viet Nam war and the Enterprise spent a lot of time floating around in the Indian Ocean. But the good thing that came from this short stay at Newport News! I came home pregnant and gave birth to our first born son 6 months later.
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Always a silver lining :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes, not always!
DeleteWhat a great story and even better because its yours :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lass!
DeleteI used to get a Newport News catalog but it wasn't until I actually paid attention that I realized it was a REAL PLACE!
ReplyDeleteSo funny you were scared to really leave the apartment. LOL
I was pretty naive back in the day!
DeleteMarried at 19!? Brave girl :)
ReplyDeleteActually I was only 18 when we got married!
DeleteI need some Navy buddies & a moving van it sounds like. lol
ReplyDeleteI don't open the door now if PJ's not home. But I'm a weenie. :)
I was back then! Not so much anymore!
DeleteI have nominated you for the Liebster blog award. Check out my blog (and the one who nominated me) for the rules if you decide to do it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Me! I will check it out
DeleteWow, married at 19. That's young. Must have been a rough neighborhood to have you so scared!
ReplyDeleteIt was right across the street from the ship yards and the year was 1970! My very first time away from my little hometown of 40,000 as opposed to 180,000 for Newport News. Getting married at age 18 wasn't a big deal back in the 1960's. It is what all of my friends did then. None of us went on to college. And none of us lived out on our own in apartments. We got married and left home.
DeleteCool! New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Thanks for visiting Sylvia
DeleteNice to have you Sylvia! You are welcome anytime.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Paula. As I've shared with you before, I went to high school in Newport News. My Dad is a ex-Navy nuclear engineer who spent much of his career overhauling submarines in various shipyards. If there was a shipyard there, we lived there at one time or another. My first job was working in the estimating department at Newport News Shipbuilding, my first husband was a pipefitter at the Shipyard, and I lived there on and off for several years. Don't miss it one bit though, it was a shithole of a town, LOL!
ReplyDeleteYes it was Lisa!
DeletePaula!
ReplyDeleteI've nominated you for an award :)
http://effervescencia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/liebster-award.html
Thank you so much Udita. I love receiving awards. I just recevied this same award from another. I will try to jump over and do it this weekend. You are do sweet.
DeleteI've never been to Newport News, or even Virginia, but for some reason I've always liked the name of the town. I should look up how it came to be called that.
ReplyDeleteNot one of my favorite places...but I lived there only about 4 months
DeleteI wouldn't have opened the door either...still wouldn't. You never know what kind of crazies are out there. It's scary to move away from home and be married. At least you have your son from this experience.
ReplyDeleteYes. And that is another long story for sure!
DeleteWell, I don't blame you for your feelings. Away from home for the first time, strange surroundings, just married...and I am certain there was a lot going on in and around those corners!! Ha Ha Good that there was a blessing from all of this!! Enjoyed your post very much!! www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy!
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