Brahma Tales

 

Forum: Do you remember?

TOPIC: 

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Created on: 05/04/09 10:30 PM Views: 2781 Replies: 3
Motown Records
Posted Monday, May 4, 2009 05:30 PM

Here's one for you.  For the last several years of my Air Force career I worked in an Aircraft Hangar on the flightline at Randolph AFB.  Unbeknownst to me for years,  in the hangar right next to mine worked a fellow Mac classmate....Lt Col Bobby Records.  I only found out about this when I bumped into Bobby at the 25th reunion.  When I later went next door to visit Bobby in his hangar I ran into an young NCO and asked where I could find "Colonel" Records.  He replied, "you mean "Motown Records"....."Motown's a cool guy"...."follow me"....and he led me to the man with this fabulous moniker.  He was a T-38 Pilot in the "Grey Beard" Program....basically a flying job where old farts train young Top Gun wannabes.  To make this story even wilder, it turned out Bobby belongs to a Pilot Society called "The Quiet Birdmen" ....in the very same chapter as my 85 year old pilot father....and they were drinking buddies.  When I visited my Dad he would say..."Knocked a few back with "Motown" at our party last night...he says hello".  I also believe that Tommy Fowler's Dad belonged to the same organization.   When I ran into "Motown" the Air Force had about 400,000 people on active duty and hundreds of Air Force bases all over the world....so what are the chances that a 1969 Mac Classmate would be working right next door to me.  But then again, 20 years earlier I ran into Lt Terry Maxfield in an underground missile silo at the ends of the earth in a rural Kansas wheatfield.  It's a small world.

Roger Barnes

 
Edited 05/05/09 02:07 PM
RE: Motown Records
Posted Monday, May 4, 2009 05:54 PM

I am constantly amazed at what I learn about our classmates--both from HS stories and current events.

 
RE: Motown Records
Posted Tuesday, May 5, 2009 11:44 AM

Who knew Bobby Records would turn out to be so cool?  Was he cool in school?  I don't remember much cuz I was too wrapped up in myself.  Ha!And, it's such a bonus when our friends become friends with our fathers. Just loved that story.

Barb

 

 

 
RE: Motown Records
Posted Wednesday, May 6, 2009 09:45 AM

Bobby was cool in school...way too cool for school.  An "everyman"... he floated with ease between the various social cliques...hoods, jocks, preps, brainiacs.....with a dexterity that served him well as a fighter pilot in the USAF. 

I must offer a word of explanation for those not part of the military subculture.  Monikers like Bobby's 'Motown"...are usually referred to as "call signs" and normally bestowed on you by your pilot peers (and occassionally to selected non-flying pukes normally referred to as shoeclerks).....like it or not.  Occassionally,  a stud will attempt to crown himself with a tag he hopes will enhance his image.  These "call signs" are primarily an esprit de corps thing but also have a secondary benefit. Pilots embroider these "call signs" onto their name patches which adorn their flight suits (and attach with velcro)...and sometimes call them "TDY name tags" as they are used not only when flying but when trolling bars and making the acquaintence of ladies while TDY to a location other than your home base.  By making it difficult for strangers to ascertain one's true identity you avoid taking responsibility for the havoc created in your wake while serving Uncle Sam.  All in all it's a good concept and has worked well for the brotherhood.

 

Roger Barnes

 
Edited 05/06/09 05:35 PM