O
Rod discovered that although the ATOs may have been given the power to withhold food, personal gear, civilian clothes, cards, radios, hi-fi’s, and just about everything under the sun that had not been issued to them, that someone, somewhere up the chain of command, had ordered that the basic’s mail would not be withheld. Just before shower formation, Flight B-2 marched to the admin building and were issued a mailbox at the same location where a hundred years ago they had in-processed and obtained their clothing.
The basics practiced opening and locking the mailboxes several times before Lieutenant Ranch was satisfied they could do it right. “Don’t ever forget your combination,” he said, “you’ll quickly learn this box will be your lifeline home.”
Rod didn’t have any mail, but for the rest of his time as a cadet he’d check the mailbox at least once a day—and sometimes twice.
***
Chapter Eight
“Hard to Get”
July 12, 1955
Air Force Academy Construction Site
Colorado Springs, CO
Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.
—John Ruskin, Modern Painters , Vol. IV
Colonel Stoltz held out a hand to help Mary McCluney make the final step up the dirt rise. She wore hiking boots, grey tweed pants, and a green plaid jacket that highlighted her red hair. Wearing a brown corduroy suit and matching fedora, Hank McCluney puffed behind them, slowly but steadily using his cane to negotiate the mule trail and join his wife and the Director of Academy Installations.
They paused for a moment at the crest, surveying the site. The Rampart Range jutted up in front of them, a contrast of colors with green pine, scrub oak, and red soil dotted by the white bark of aspen groves. The deep blue Colorado sky was unbroken except for wisps of cirrus.
“Who would have thought when I was here last year we’d be starting to build it?” Hank said. He turned to Colonel Stoltz. “How long before you begin construction?”
Stoltz lit a cigarette. Shaking out the match, he took a long drag. “With your help, we’ll be on a train that’s not going to slow down for anything, General. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill was awarded the construction contract last July 23rd, beating out 340 other architectural firms. Their final design was presented on the first of this month, and construction is scheduled to commence upon release of funds by the Congress. That’s why we need you out here as soon as possible.”
Mary spoke quietly, breaking the Colonel’s soliloquy. “I thought Frank Lloyd Wright had derailed that train of yours, Colonel.”
Stoltz reddened. “Wright is a horse’s rear-end, ma’am. If you’ll excuse the expression.”
“I also understand that horse’s rear-end has managed to convince the House Appropriations Committee to withhold nearly a quarter of a billion dollars from the supplemental appropriations bill, which will not only escalate your cost, but will delay construction. And if you don’t have any money, then what’s the hurry for us to move to Colorado?” Mary smiled sweetly.
Stoltz coughed smoke.
Hank raised his eyebrows. “Good question, Colonel. What’s the rush?”
Stoltz crushed out his cigarette and drew himself up. “You’re right, Mrs. McCluney. The House is going to withhold some money, but our legislative liaison assures us they’re working hard to get the American Institute of Architects to back the Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill design. We believe things are firmly in hand. The reason we need you out here is that we expect the logjam to break any day, and when it does, we’ll be scrambling for help.”
Turning his full attention to Mary McCluney, he said with admiration, “Not too many people would have spotted that flaw in our strategy, ma’am. If your son has half the intelligence you do, he’ll excel at the Academy.”
Hank turned to look out over the mesa that would soon hold the Academy area. To the north and south a series of ridges
Rod discovered that although the ATOs may have been given the power to withhold food, personal gear, civilian clothes, cards, radios, hi-fi’s, and just about everything under the sun that had not been issued to them, that someone, somewhere up the chain of command, had ordered that the basic’s mail would not be withheld. Just before shower formation, Flight B-2 marched to the admin building and were issued a mailbox at the same location where a hundred years ago they had in-processed and obtained their clothing.
The basics practiced opening and locking the mailboxes several times before Lieutenant Ranch was satisfied they could do it right. “Don’t ever forget your combination,” he said, “you’ll quickly learn this box will be your lifeline home.”
Rod didn’t have any mail, but for the rest of his time as a cadet he’d check the mailbox at least once a day—and sometimes twice.
***
Chapter Eight
“Hard to Get”
July 12, 1955
Air Force Academy Construction Site
Colorado Springs, CO
Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.
—John Ruskin, Modern Painters , Vol. IV
Colonel Stoltz held out a hand to help Mary McCluney make the final step up the dirt rise. She wore hiking boots, grey tweed pants, and a green plaid jacket that highlighted her red hair. Wearing a brown corduroy suit and matching fedora, Hank McCluney puffed behind them, slowly but steadily using his cane to negotiate the mule trail and join his wife and the Director of Academy Installations.
They paused for a moment at the crest, surveying the site. The Rampart Range jutted up in front of them, a contrast of colors with green pine, scrub oak, and red soil dotted by the white bark of aspen groves. The deep blue Colorado sky was unbroken except for wisps of cirrus.
“Who would have thought when I was here last year we’d be starting to build it?” Hank said. He turned to Colonel Stoltz. “How long before you begin construction?”
Stoltz lit a cigarette. Shaking out the match, he took a long drag. “With your help, we’ll be on a train that’s not going to slow down for anything, General. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill was awarded the construction contract last July 23rd, beating out 340 other architectural firms. Their final design was presented on the first of this month, and construction is scheduled to commence upon release of funds by the Congress. That’s why we need you out here as soon as possible.”
Mary spoke quietly, breaking the Colonel’s soliloquy. “I thought Frank Lloyd Wright had derailed that train of yours, Colonel.”
Stoltz reddened. “Wright is a horse’s rear-end, ma’am. If you’ll excuse the expression.”
“I also understand that horse’s rear-end has managed to convince the House Appropriations Committee to withhold nearly a quarter of a billion dollars from the supplemental appropriations bill, which will not only escalate your cost, but will delay construction. And if you don’t have any money, then what’s the hurry for us to move to Colorado?” Mary smiled sweetly.
Stoltz coughed smoke.
Hank raised his eyebrows. “Good question, Colonel. What’s the rush?”
Stoltz crushed out his cigarette and drew himself up. “You’re right, Mrs. McCluney. The House is going to withhold some money, but our legislative liaison assures us they’re working hard to get the American Institute of Architects to back the Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill design. We believe things are firmly in hand. The reason we need you out here is that we expect the logjam to break any day, and when it does, we’ll be scrambling for help.”
Turning his full attention to Mary McCluney, he said with admiration, “Not too many people would have spotted that flaw in our strategy, ma’am. If your son has half the intelligence you do, he’ll excel at the Academy.”
Hank turned to look out over the mesa that would soon hold the Academy area. To the north and south a series of ridges
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