D.A. from California was serving his country in Korea on race
day. But he didn't forget about the race.
I was born and raised in Indianapolis and have made it to almost every
race since 1966 except when I was stationed overseas during a 20
year career in the USAF. I wasn't exactly at the track in 1978. I was
stationed at Kinsman Air Base Korea. But, I was there in spirit.
Kunsan AB Korea is small as far as Air Bases go. At the time, I was
there I think there was less than 1,000 people stationed there. It did
not take long to meet just about every one. One day I was eating in
the Dining Hall and met a guy that was also from Indianapolis, and, as
Hoosiers always do, the talk turned to racing. We decided if we
couldn't be "home for the holiday," we should make the best of it. We
decided that we would go out and find anyone we could and have a picnic
party on race day. The party was to commence at 11:00 as American
Forces Radio Television Service (AFRTS) was to carry the Broadcast
starting at 12:15 AM. The only requirement to attend was to bring: an
interest in the 500, food, drink, and your own lawn chair, but not
necessarily in that order.
As Race day approached, we had rounded up about 16-18 people. We had
"procured" the B-B-Q grill and about a dozen of those round metal
picnic tables with the big umbrella in the center. I put one of my
stereo speakers the window of my barracks room and proceeded to
light the fire in the B-B-Q. Just as the other guys were starting to
show up, the rain clouds started to show up too. As midnight
approached, the sky opened up. As AFRTS began it's broadcast, sheets
of rain had almost put out the fire. We had to find traps to string
between the umbrellas to keep the fire going and to try to stay a
little dry. Just as the race line up was being announced, SOME POOR
LILY LIVERED SISSY in the next barracks over, called the cops
about a "Wild Drinking Party" taking place outside his window, keeping
him awake.
The Security Police sent out a young 1 striper to investigate. We just
sat there in the rain, with water coming up past our ankles, holding our
soggy hotdogs and hamburgers, drinking our beer, and politely told the
guy,"it is race day, we are enjoying the sun and waiting for the race to
start. Grab a beer and sit down". By this time the young SP had no idea
what was going on. He called the dispatch desk and said, "I think these
people are either drunk or crazy or both. They are sitting here, in the
rain, in T-shirts and shorts and sunglasses, eating hotdogs and
hamburgers drinking beer, and listening to the radio. They think they
are in Indianapolis or something, and they think it is sunny. They said
they are waiting for some kind of race to start. Can someone come out
here and help me ?" After a short pause, the guy on the other end of
the walkie-talkie came on and said, "I'll be right there." As "Back
Home Again In Indiana" was coming over the speaker in the window, a
big SP showed up with bag under each arm. He told the younger SP,
"take your truck back to the office, you can watch the desk, nothing is
happening on base, so I think you can handle it. If you need me, I'll be
on the walkie. I'll handle it from here. As the younger SP got in the
truck and left, the older SP said, "I'm from Detroit and I been a race
fan since forever. All I could find at this hour was peanut butter and
jelly, a half a loaf of bread, a bag of chips and 4 Pepsi's,,,,,mind if I join
you ?"
It rained like hell that raceday, but we never knew it, we were in
Indianapolis. Hope that LILLY LIVERED SISSY got some sleep.
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