FRIDAY NIGHT by Bob da Silva 76N
At The Pine Beach Campus
At The Pine Beach Campus
When I first traveled to Pine Beach, New Jersey in 1969 the weather was similar to this day nearly 48 years later: Cold, Gray and overcast. On that November day so many years ago, our car made that last sweeping turn as Riverside Drive meandered along the Toms River, I saw the waterfront tower and buildings of Admiral Farragut Academy for the first time.
Now, in April of 2017, those landmarks are long gone but, for just a moment, in this old Sailor’s mind, they remained.
As our car pulled up to the familiar parking spaces across from the Farragut Point waterfront, a few visitors had already arrived for the ceremonies and remembrance
of this late afternoon. I had not been back to this most important of places in 30 years and was eager to view the changes I knew I would see.
The years made it more difficult than I remembered to climb up the hill to the sweeping lawn which used to stand like a lush green moat in front of the old Pine Beach Hotel that we students knew as Farragut Hall. But, today, in its place stood a row of homes. Their roof lines almost mimicked the silhouette of our school’s “Headquarters” building. There was still a flag pole although, this one was further away from the homes. It was surrounded by a walkway which fit nicely with the naval history of this once famous place.
From the flag pole, you could still imagine the USS Hartford memorial which was erected during my time here. I walked slowly on the walkway, (as Cadets we were admonished to remain off the grass in front of Farragut Hall. Old habits seem to never die.) I proceeded towards “the rock.”
This was the one marker of my beloved school which I had the most mixed emotions to visit. I was excited to finally see the marker that I had only viewed in pictures but, I had the same feelings upon actually being here as visiting a grave.
The large decorative boulder sat in a flower bed which was gladly well tended by the home owners who graciously allowed the AFA North alumni to impose upon them to place the stone. It was heartwarming to see the care and respect which obviously was observed in the tending of this particular flowerbed. On the stone, which was larger than it appeared in the photos I had seen, was the familiar countenance of Admiral David Farragut, in the School Seal. I saw the dedicating words and the School’s alma mater. As I read the words, as familiar as my own name to me, I could hear the melody and once again, the clock turned back and I was a young boy setting out on my life’s most formative adventure.
As I took in the new, yet somehow familiar scene around me, more people arrived. I made my way down the slope of the lawn towards the old football field. This place, home to so many football games and other sporting events, had changed the least. I walked up to the gate and the twin pillars which I had marched through countless times. I was again transported back nearly half a century.
As a cadet, I had participated in an unknown number of parades on this field. I knew each inch of it as well as I knew the contours of my face. Although it was bigger now, it was still familiar to me. Houses stood where Shepard Hall once proudly watched over this place of military precision and athletic prowess. But, somehow, in my mind, at least, it was unchanged. I could see it all, new and as it had been, and I was struck with the irony of my situation.
Did my brother/sister cadets, gathering new, feel as I did? I’m sure I would get a chance to ask. With a sigh, I turned to the task at hand.
The wind off of the river was making the cold rainy mist seem that much colder as a pickup truck pulled up and we began unloading chairs and other equipment for this dedication ceremony. Each of us pitched in to get this task completed before the bulk of the Alumni arrived. Just as in our school days, we all helped, except this time, we also had wives to assist us.
Our tasks completed, we turned to see the crowd of former cadets arrive. Many familiar faces greeted me. Some, whose faces had changed so much I didn’t quite recognize them, were quick to reintroduce themselves. Most people knew me. Smiles, hugs, and handshakes were the order of the day. I mingled to meet and greet as many people as possible. I met classmates from as far back as the 1950’s up to the class of ’94. We were all the same: happy and humbled to be in this place for this special purpose.
As the time to begin our ceremony neared, the more senior amongst us, and many of the ladies were offered the limited seating. The majority declined, preferring to stand as we did as cadets during official functions. I noticed many seemed to be at attention. How many hours had we all assumed that position while in this place? As the light mist hit me, I could hear the gray river continue it’s ever present rush towards the sea. I, like the rest of us gathered here, remembered all that had gone on here. For just a small time, our Academy was back in session.
Two of our number departed towards the large flag pole with the National Colors in hand. As with every Farragut ceremony, the Colors must be observed. Even through the veil of time, our traditions fail to die. If today was to be described by one word, “tradition” would do nicely.
After brief welcoming remarks, it was time for the National Anthem. As Russ Corbett’s (’59) booming voice sang the familiar strains of our National Anthem, the Colors moved up the flag pole to stop at its peak. The two Alumni who had raised the flag stood at attention and saluted until Russ was finished singing.
After the Mayor of Pine Beach’s representative shared his remarks, Ron Rose (’68) delivered his remarks, dedicating this field to our Coach, Stan Slaby.
Since his passing, I had read many stories about “Coach.” They all ran in about the same vein. They spoke of his kindness and his accomplishments; his love for all the AFA Cadets; and of course, his love and devotion to his wife, Polly.
As Ron spoke, these same personal stories took on a more meaningful tone. Not the written word, these were the memories and emotions associated with a man whom we all knew, who loved and respected each of the now much older cadets, who stood at this special place to honor him. This time, this day, was for the man most of us simply called “Coach.”
The Academy Flag was removed from the pillar standing sentinel at the entrance to the now Stan Slaby field at Vista Park. With applause, the dedication was done and it was time for Evening Colors.
As Retreat was sounded, the National Ensign was slowly lowered from the large flag pole. As tradition dictated, the flag was carried back to our gathering place to be folded with some ceremony.
I had the honor of carrying the Colors back to the gathered Alumni and their guests. Presenting the colors to CAPT Rick Creange (’77), USN(ret), I saluted. The Captain returned the flag to me and with the assistance of 3 others, we folded the flag in the traditional manner as Ace Bottone (’80) read 13 Folds of the Flag. The National Colors, now folded were again presented to the CAPT and then passed around to each person present. In this way, each of us were again bound together as Brothers and Sisters in the bonds of our School and our Nation.
The flag folded, it was now time for our gathering to officially end. As with all Farragut ceremonies, the Alma Mater was to be sung. As Russ took the podium again, he invited all to join in song. Once again the familiar words, “Here beneath the towering pines, by the river blue…,” rang out across Slaby Field and the river behind us. As we all sang, eyes began to tear. The ceremonies ended with most being emotional. “..Farragut WILL ever stand, Alma Mater true…”
Emotions running high, it was time to socialize. As we all departed for Yesterday’s Family Restaurant for some well earned beverages, dinner, and camaraderie, the cold waters of the river continued to rush by. For just a moment, I swear I saw the sails of “Cat Boats” on the river with cadets at the tiller.
Our car rounded the final turn away from the river and we headed up Riverside Drive towards familiar Route 9 and the rest of the evening’s festivities.
Now, in April of 2017, those landmarks are long gone but, for just a moment, in this old Sailor’s mind, they remained.
As our car pulled up to the familiar parking spaces across from the Farragut Point waterfront, a few visitors had already arrived for the ceremonies and remembrance
of this late afternoon. I had not been back to this most important of places in 30 years and was eager to view the changes I knew I would see.
The years made it more difficult than I remembered to climb up the hill to the sweeping lawn which used to stand like a lush green moat in front of the old Pine Beach Hotel that we students knew as Farragut Hall. But, today, in its place stood a row of homes. Their roof lines almost mimicked the silhouette of our school’s “Headquarters” building. There was still a flag pole although, this one was further away from the homes. It was surrounded by a walkway which fit nicely with the naval history of this once famous place.
From the flag pole, you could still imagine the USS Hartford memorial which was erected during my time here. I walked slowly on the walkway, (as Cadets we were admonished to remain off the grass in front of Farragut Hall. Old habits seem to never die.) I proceeded towards “the rock.”
This was the one marker of my beloved school which I had the most mixed emotions to visit. I was excited to finally see the marker that I had only viewed in pictures but, I had the same feelings upon actually being here as visiting a grave.
The large decorative boulder sat in a flower bed which was gladly well tended by the home owners who graciously allowed the AFA North alumni to impose upon them to place the stone. It was heartwarming to see the care and respect which obviously was observed in the tending of this particular flowerbed. On the stone, which was larger than it appeared in the photos I had seen, was the familiar countenance of Admiral David Farragut, in the School Seal. I saw the dedicating words and the School’s alma mater. As I read the words, as familiar as my own name to me, I could hear the melody and once again, the clock turned back and I was a young boy setting out on my life’s most formative adventure.
As I took in the new, yet somehow familiar scene around me, more people arrived. I made my way down the slope of the lawn towards the old football field. This place, home to so many football games and other sporting events, had changed the least. I walked up to the gate and the twin pillars which I had marched through countless times. I was again transported back nearly half a century.
As a cadet, I had participated in an unknown number of parades on this field. I knew each inch of it as well as I knew the contours of my face. Although it was bigger now, it was still familiar to me. Houses stood where Shepard Hall once proudly watched over this place of military precision and athletic prowess. But, somehow, in my mind, at least, it was unchanged. I could see it all, new and as it had been, and I was struck with the irony of my situation.
Did my brother/sister cadets, gathering new, feel as I did? I’m sure I would get a chance to ask. With a sigh, I turned to the task at hand.
The wind off of the river was making the cold rainy mist seem that much colder as a pickup truck pulled up and we began unloading chairs and other equipment for this dedication ceremony. Each of us pitched in to get this task completed before the bulk of the Alumni arrived. Just as in our school days, we all helped, except this time, we also had wives to assist us.
Our tasks completed, we turned to see the crowd of former cadets arrive. Many familiar faces greeted me. Some, whose faces had changed so much I didn’t quite recognize them, were quick to reintroduce themselves. Most people knew me. Smiles, hugs, and handshakes were the order of the day. I mingled to meet and greet as many people as possible. I met classmates from as far back as the 1950’s up to the class of ’94. We were all the same: happy and humbled to be in this place for this special purpose.
As the time to begin our ceremony neared, the more senior amongst us, and many of the ladies were offered the limited seating. The majority declined, preferring to stand as we did as cadets during official functions. I noticed many seemed to be at attention. How many hours had we all assumed that position while in this place? As the light mist hit me, I could hear the gray river continue it’s ever present rush towards the sea. I, like the rest of us gathered here, remembered all that had gone on here. For just a small time, our Academy was back in session.
Two of our number departed towards the large flag pole with the National Colors in hand. As with every Farragut ceremony, the Colors must be observed. Even through the veil of time, our traditions fail to die. If today was to be described by one word, “tradition” would do nicely.
After brief welcoming remarks, it was time for the National Anthem. As Russ Corbett’s (’59) booming voice sang the familiar strains of our National Anthem, the Colors moved up the flag pole to stop at its peak. The two Alumni who had raised the flag stood at attention and saluted until Russ was finished singing.
After the Mayor of Pine Beach’s representative shared his remarks, Ron Rose (’68) delivered his remarks, dedicating this field to our Coach, Stan Slaby.
Since his passing, I had read many stories about “Coach.” They all ran in about the same vein. They spoke of his kindness and his accomplishments; his love for all the AFA Cadets; and of course, his love and devotion to his wife, Polly.
As Ron spoke, these same personal stories took on a more meaningful tone. Not the written word, these were the memories and emotions associated with a man whom we all knew, who loved and respected each of the now much older cadets, who stood at this special place to honor him. This time, this day, was for the man most of us simply called “Coach.”
The Academy Flag was removed from the pillar standing sentinel at the entrance to the now Stan Slaby field at Vista Park. With applause, the dedication was done and it was time for Evening Colors.
As Retreat was sounded, the National Ensign was slowly lowered from the large flag pole. As tradition dictated, the flag was carried back to our gathering place to be folded with some ceremony.
I had the honor of carrying the Colors back to the gathered Alumni and their guests. Presenting the colors to CAPT Rick Creange (’77), USN(ret), I saluted. The Captain returned the flag to me and with the assistance of 3 others, we folded the flag in the traditional manner as Ace Bottone (’80) read 13 Folds of the Flag. The National Colors, now folded were again presented to the CAPT and then passed around to each person present. In this way, each of us were again bound together as Brothers and Sisters in the bonds of our School and our Nation.
The flag folded, it was now time for our gathering to officially end. As with all Farragut ceremonies, the Alma Mater was to be sung. As Russ took the podium again, he invited all to join in song. Once again the familiar words, “Here beneath the towering pines, by the river blue…,” rang out across Slaby Field and the river behind us. As we all sang, eyes began to tear. The ceremonies ended with most being emotional. “..Farragut WILL ever stand, Alma Mater true…”
Emotions running high, it was time to socialize. As we all departed for Yesterday’s Family Restaurant for some well earned beverages, dinner, and camaraderie, the cold waters of the river continued to rush by. For just a moment, I swear I saw the sails of “Cat Boats” on the river with cadets at the tiller.
Our car rounded the final turn away from the river and we headed up Riverside Drive towards familiar Route 9 and the rest of the evening’s festivities.
Yesterdays Informal Gathering
As the gray afternoon sky faded into the early evening, I rode with my old friend Brian down Route 9 headed for Yesterday’s restaurant We had just finished the dedication of Slaby field at the site of our old school, Admiral Farragut Academy. Now, we set off for the first evening activity of this reunion of school friends.
Driving down the highway brought back so many memories of that time so long ago when we, as mere youths, saw the full measure of life ahead of us. Strangely, time has passed in our lives and we were all profoundly transformed by our life’s events. But this place, the Jersey shore, remained so unchanged. Yes, the buildings and business had undergone the inevitable metamorphosis of time as necessity dictates, but the feel of South Jersey remains as it has always been.
Brian and I talked as he navigated to our destination. We both felt that the dedication had gone well and were happy, as always, to visit the site of our beloved school. Fond memories and deep emotion would always come to the fore when thinking of our school which for many of us was so much more.
We arrived at Yesterday’s Family Restaurant. It looked like thousands of family owned restaurants which populate this area of New Jersey but once we entered and began socializing with our “Brothers and Sisters” from AFA, Yesterday’s became a place of magic.
Those of us who attended this “informal gathering” on the first official evening of our reunion saw, first hand, the magic of Farragut and experienced the necessity and value of these reunions. As we visited with friends, old and new, we could all not fail to realize that in our experience of this school we called simply AFA we, as her progeny, had become a part of the transformation of a thing, a school, a collection of buildings into a living entity.
As I sat with various guests and listened to their stories of Farragut, I realized that it didn’t matter when that person had attended. He or she told of the same experiences that my friends and I encountered. We all laughed at the same situations whether they happened in the 1950’s, the ’90’s or any time in between.
You see, we all learned that it is not the place or the buildings which makes an organization or institution what it is. It’s the people who create and maintain the standards and traditions of that institution what it is or was.
Here at this nondescript family restaurant in New Jersey, as a group of people got together and for just a few hours, our Academy did indeed still stand. We were all transported back to the days of our youth. Friendships were renewed or started and the fellowship of a shared experience was affirmed once again.
Several times during this very special evening, I thought how wonderful it was to see so many old friends and hear of their lives since our school days. Then the thought occurred to me: This was not even the “official” reunion diner. The formal event was the next evening.
I went to bed late that night after spending one of the most pleasant evenings in years. I couldn’t wait to see what the final day of this special reunion would bring
Driving down the highway brought back so many memories of that time so long ago when we, as mere youths, saw the full measure of life ahead of us. Strangely, time has passed in our lives and we were all profoundly transformed by our life’s events. But this place, the Jersey shore, remained so unchanged. Yes, the buildings and business had undergone the inevitable metamorphosis of time as necessity dictates, but the feel of South Jersey remains as it has always been.
Brian and I talked as he navigated to our destination. We both felt that the dedication had gone well and were happy, as always, to visit the site of our beloved school. Fond memories and deep emotion would always come to the fore when thinking of our school which for many of us was so much more.
We arrived at Yesterday’s Family Restaurant. It looked like thousands of family owned restaurants which populate this area of New Jersey but once we entered and began socializing with our “Brothers and Sisters” from AFA, Yesterday’s became a place of magic.
Those of us who attended this “informal gathering” on the first official evening of our reunion saw, first hand, the magic of Farragut and experienced the necessity and value of these reunions. As we visited with friends, old and new, we could all not fail to realize that in our experience of this school we called simply AFA we, as her progeny, had become a part of the transformation of a thing, a school, a collection of buildings into a living entity.
As I sat with various guests and listened to their stories of Farragut, I realized that it didn’t matter when that person had attended. He or she told of the same experiences that my friends and I encountered. We all laughed at the same situations whether they happened in the 1950’s, the ’90’s or any time in between.
You see, we all learned that it is not the place or the buildings which makes an organization or institution what it is. It’s the people who create and maintain the standards and traditions of that institution what it is or was.
Here at this nondescript family restaurant in New Jersey, as a group of people got together and for just a few hours, our Academy did indeed still stand. We were all transported back to the days of our youth. Friendships were renewed or started and the fellowship of a shared experience was affirmed once again.
Several times during this very special evening, I thought how wonderful it was to see so many old friends and hear of their lives since our school days. Then the thought occurred to me: This was not even the “official” reunion diner. The formal event was the next evening.
I went to bed late that night after spending one of the most pleasant evenings in years. I couldn’t wait to see what the final day of this special reunion would bring