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Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Park Dedication and Commemoration
Saturday, July 17, 2010 -10:00 a.m. to noon Concord, California
Fostering a stronger America by discovering and celebrating our nation's rich and diverse history one park at a time. Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial 392nd Unit of National Park System
Today we are gathered to officially dedicate the newest addition to the National Park System, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial in Concord, California. With President Obama’s signing of the Defense Authorization Act in October, 2009, Port Chicago became the 392nd unit of a system of national parks that has been fondly referred to as “America’s best idea.” National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis noted, “The addition of Port Chicago demonstrates a commitment to make America’s best idea even better — more relevant to Americans, more expressive of our nation’s history, and more representative of our diversity.”
No land was transferred to the National Park Service with the signing of the establishing legislation; the memorial will remain here on land owned and controlled by the U.S. Army for the foreseeable future. When the Army determines that the land is excess to its needs, the memorial will be transferred to the National Park Service. The legislation authorizes the National Park Service to work with the city of Concord and East Bay Regional Park District to operate a facility for visitors and parking, administrative offices, and curatorial storage. The NPS and its partners will be working on that in the coming years.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine was dedicated as a National Memorial in 1994 to honor the courage and commitment of the sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Marines, and working civilians killed and injured in the largest homeland disaster during World War II. The National Park Service coordinates with the Army and offers free tours of the site via NPS shuttle for visitors who make reservations in advance. For more information, please call (925) 228-9960 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/poch. I. Welcome VII. Sharing of Memories and Stories from the audience Lieutenant Colonel Chris Hart, Commander 834th Transportation Battalion, U.S. Army VIII. Closing Remarks, Martha Lee Color Guard Arkansas Division, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps IX. Benediction National Anthem Martha Lee, General Superintendent, National Park Service X. Procession The Color Guard and Drum Corps will lead a procession from the tent to the II. Invocation memorial. John Berger, Chaplain, U.S. Navy (Ret.) XI. Bell Ringing & Flowers III. Shelton Johnson, Keynote Speaker A bell from the USS Pampanito, a naval submarine that served during World Park Ranger, Yosemite National Park War II, will be rung 21 times to honor the men who lost their lives in service to their country. One additional toll of the bell will be rung to honor all of the IV. Friends of Port Chicago, Thanks and Recognition survivors of this tragedy. Diana McDaniel, President, recognizing Equal Justice Society, David Salniker The tolling of the ship’s bell reminds us of the debt of gratitude we owe to National Parks Conservation Association, Neil Desai the departed servicemen and the survivors, and allows for prayers or quiet U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein contemplation of each life lost and for all who served our nation. While the Gina Banks, Director of Field Services bell is tolling, you may place your flower in one of the vases at the base of the U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, granite memorial stones (or you can take it home with you as a memento). Alton Garrett, Jr., Senior Advisor to Sen. Boxer City of Concord, Mayor Guy Bjerke XII. Wreath & Taps East Bay Regional Park District, Beverly Lane The program will end with the wreath being placed in the water as taps is Congressman George Miller, Special Award played. V. Dedication of the Park Mickey Fearn, Deputy Director, National Park Service VI. Performances by Carmen Coleman Faith Rivera Andoni Panici Ron San Miguel Mary Watkins Joel Brown Produced by Spencer Sikes, II, Bajari Inc. SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Shelton Johnson 834th Transportation Battalion / Military Ocean Terminal Concord Park Ranger, Yosemite National Park Arkansas Division, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps I was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1958 and then Boy Scouts of America my family moved to Contwig, Germany, for over a year, followed by a stay in North London, England; Cougar Cadet Corps, Alameda, California Vacaville, CA; Kansas City, MO; Spartanburg, SC; CPO Davis Freitas, USNSCC, Bugler, Taps and then back to Detroit in 1968.1 graduated from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School in 1976.1 East Bay Regional Park District attended Wayne State University for a year before Equal Justice Society transferring to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I graduated from U of M w ith a B.A. in Friends of Port Chicago English Literature. Subsequent to college, I briefly Heyday served in the Peace Corps as an English teacher in Liberia, West Africa before enrolling in 1983 Kalli Graham, New Media Designer in the University of Michigan’s Master of Fine Kids On The Move America Arts Program in Creative Writing with a focus in poetry. In the summer of 19841 began my work in MIDN Kelsey Freitas, USNSCC, National Anthem the national parks, specifically in Yellowstone. National Parks Conservation Association National Park Service volunteers My career with the N.P.S. began in 1987 when I became a ranger at the West Gate Entrance Pacific Merchant Marine Council, Navy League of the United States Station in Yellowstone National Park. I’ve been working in the national parks ever since and have done everything from front desk clerk at the Old Faithful Inn to my current job San Francisco Maritime Park Association, Aaron Washington as a Park Ranger in the Division of Interpretation and Education in Yosemite National Sea Scouts from Martinez Ships Albatross & Sea Witch, San Francisco Ship Corsair & Park. I’m also a member of Yosemite’s Horse Patrol. I learned how to ride horses because Richmond Ship Northland of my ongoing research into the Buffalo Soldier history in the Sierra Nevada. I’ve had some interesting experiences including riding in the Rose Parade, serving as a member of anN.P.S Sign Language Interpreters, Pam Cavazos and Eboni Gayton delegation studying the national parks of China, and working with Ken Burns and Dayton Spencer E. Sikes II, Bajari Inc. Duncan on their documentary film, “The National Parks, America’s Best Idea.” I have just published my first novel, Gloryland. TMC (SS) Brian R. Garrett, USN Retired, NPS, Bell Ringer USS Pampanito (SS-383) volunteers I enjoy writing about the things that move me, and that means telling the stories of interesting people and places, and how one naturally informs the other. I’m also fascinated by the power U.S. Park Police - S.F.F.O. of history, not just the history of a people, but how one’s own personal history shapes not Western National Parks Association only how you perceive, but how you feel about that perception. twa h bgethmefo iatrofWol r II ar W orld W f o disaster t fron e hom biggest the as Itw fWENOs ; b W. otCiaoNvl aaieNtoa Memorial National Magazine Naval Chicago Port Three hundred and twenty men died men twenty and hundred Three on July 17r 1944 at 10:18 p.m. 10:18 17rat 1944 July on SERVICE ATIONAI PARK
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial 392nd Unit of National Park System
Today we are gathered to officially dedicate the newest addition to the National Park System, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial in Concord, California. With President Obama’s signing of the Defense Authorization Act in October, 2009, Port Chicago became the 392nd unit of a system of national parks that has been fondly referred to as “America’s best idea.” National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis noted, “The addition of Port Chicago demonstrates a commitment to make America’s best idea even better — more relevant to Americans, more expressive of our nation’s history, and more representative of our diversity.”
No land was transferred to the National Park Service with the signing of the establishing legislation; the memorial will remain here on land owned and controlled by the U.S. Army for the foreseeable future. When the Army determines that the land is excess to its needs, the memorial will be transferred to the National Park Service. The legislation authorizes the National Park Service to work with the city of Concord and East Bay Regional Park District to operate a facility for visitors and parking, administrative offices, and curatorial storage. The NPS and its partners will be working on that in the coming years.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine was dedicated as a National Memorial in 1994 to honor the courage and commitment of the sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Marines, and working civilians killed and injured in the largest homeland disaster during World War II. The National Park Service coordinates with the Army and offers free tours of the site via NPS shuttle for visitors who make reservations in advance. For more information, please call (925) 228-9960 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/poch. I. Welcome VII. Sharing of Memories and Stories from the audience Lieutenant Colonel Chris Hart, Commander 834th Transportation Battalion, U.S. Army VIII. Closing Remarks, Martha Lee Color Guard Arkansas Division, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps IX. Benediction National Anthem Martha Lee, General Superintendent, National Park Service X. Procession The Color Guard and Drum Corps will lead a procession from the tent to the II. Invocation memorial. John Berger, Chaplain, U.S. Navy (Ret.) XI. Bell Ringing & Flowers III. Shelton Johnson, Keynote Speaker A bell from the USS Pampanito, a naval submarine that served during World Park Ranger, Yosemite National Park War II, will be rung 21 times to honor the men who Jost their lives in service to their country. One additional toll of the bell will be rung to honor all of the IV. Friends of Port Chicago, Thanks and Recognition survivors of this tragedy. Diana McDaniel, President, recognizing Equal Justice Society, David Salniker The tolling of the ship’s bell reminds us of the debt of gratitude we owe to National Parks Conservation Association, Neil Desai the departed servicemen and the survivors, and allows for prayers or quiet U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein contemplation of each life lost and for all who served our nation. While the Gina Banks, Director of Field Services bell is tolling, you may place your flower in one of the vases at the base of the U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, granite memorial stones (or you can take it home with you as a memento). Alton Garrett, Jr., Senior Advisor to Sen. Boxer City of Concord, Mayor Guy Bjerke XII. Wreath & Taps East Bay Regional Park District, Beverly Lane The program will end with the wreath being placed in the water as taps is Congressman George Miller, Special Award played. V. Dedication of the Park Mickey Fearn, Deputy Director, National Park Service VI. Performances by Carmen Coleman Faith Rivera Andoni Panici Ron San Miguel Mary Watkins Joel Brown Produced by Spencer Sikes, II, Bajari Inc. Shelton Johnson Park Ranger, Yosemite National Park
I was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1958 and then my family moved to Contwig, Germany, for over a year, followed by a stay in North London, England; Vacaville, CA; Kansas City, MO; Spartanburg, SC; and then back to Detroit in 1968.1 graduated from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School in 1976.1 attended Wayne State University for a year before transferring to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I graduated from U of M w ith a B.A. in English Literature. Subsequent to college, I briefly served in the Peace Corps as an English teacher in Liberia, West Africa before enrolling in 1983 in the University of Michigan’s Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing with a focus in poetry. In the summer of 19841 began my work in the national parks, specifically in Yellowstone.
My career with the N.P.S. began in 1987 when I became a ranger at the West Gate Entrance Station in Yellowstone National Park. I’ve been working in the national parks ever since and have done everything from front desk clerk at the Old Faithful Inn to my current job as a Park Ranger in the Division of Interpretation and Education in Yosemite National Park. I’m also a member of Yosemite’s Horse Patrol. I learned how to ride horses because of my ongoing research into the Buffalo Soldier history in the Sierra Nevada. I’ve had some interesting experiences including riding in the Rose Parade, serving as a member of anN.P.S delegation studying the national parks of China, and working with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan on their documentary film, “The National Parks, America’s Best Idea.” I have just published my first novel, Gloryland.
I enjoy writing about the things that move me, and that means telling the stories of interesting people and places, and how one naturally informs the other. I’m also fascinated by the power of history, not just the history of a people, but how one’s own personal history shapes not only how you perceive, but how you feel about that perception. Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Park Dedication and Commemoration, July 17, 2010 "Fostering a stronger America by discovering and celebrating our nation's rich and diverse history one park at a time." Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
On that date, we will be remembering events around the 66th anniversary of the explosion at Port Chicago and dedicating the memorial as the newest unit of the National Park System, established on October 28, 2009. Park Ranger Shelton Johnson from Yosemite National Park, who was featured in the recent Ken Burns series, The National Parks, will be the keynote speaker.
During World War II, 320 military and civilian men gave their lives in service to our nation when the munitions ships they were loading exploded. On the anniversary of that event, we take the opportunity to honor all those who served their country, share memories, honor stories of struggle, and note lessons learned. As we commemorate the tremendous loss of life in the largest home front disaster of World War II, we will also be celebrating the richness and diversity of our nation's history as preserved by the National Park Service.
Due to limited seating, and U.S. Army regulations, reservations are required for this event. Please email ([email protected]) or phone (510-232-5050), and provide the following information: 1. First and last name of each individual attending 2. Email of primary contact person 3. Mailing address for primary contact person 4. Phone number for primary contact person
When your reservation is confirmed, you will be sent information and directions to the event. All attendees will board shuttle buses between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. to reach the Memorial site, which is within the U.S. Army#s Military Ocean Terminal Concord. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude about noon. Buses will return participants to the parking area around 12:30 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial: www.nps.gov/poch For general bus tour information, please visit the website or phone: 925-228-8860. 66th Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion
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July 17,1944 October 1944 July 16,1989 October 28, 2009 Port Chicago Naval 10:18pm Munitions ship 50 men dishonorably The Navy dedicates the memorial President Obama signs legislation Magazine military explodes killing 320 people discharged and given to those who lost their lives during making Port Chicago Naval Magazine base is built 202 were African American 8-15 years of hard labor the Port Chicago explosion National Memorial the 392nd unit of the National Park System
December 8,1942 September 1944 February 1946 July 17,1994 First ship, S.S. Brewer, 50 sailors charged and tried Navy issues military National Park Service dedicates the loaded with munitions for mutiny for refusing to desegregation order Port Chicago National Memorial for at Port Chicago base load munitions onto ships the 50th anniversary of the explosion
® National Park Service Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial www.nps.gov/poch 320 Men, over 202 of whom were African-American, Died July 17,1944 at 10:18pm
Largest home front disaster of World War II Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
National Park Service www.nps.gov/poch 66th Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion
During World War llf on July 17, 1944, 320 military and civilian men gave their lives in service to America when the munitions ships they were loading mysteriously exploded. Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial commemorates the significant role of this facility; recognizes all who served at Port Chicago during World War II and honors the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in this explosion while fighting to maintain America's freedom. https://calmail.berkeley.edU/webmail/src/printer_friendly_bottom.p... Re: Survivor list
From: "Robert L. Allen"
Hello Mr. Smith,
I reviewed the list you sent and there is one survivor who lived through the explosion and work stoppage (but not charged with mutiny) whose name didn’t find: Percy Robinson. He lives in LA and definitely should be included in the project. I quoted him in my book (p.32) and he is in two photos in the book, including the well known photo of the sailo unloading a boxcar; he is the guy bending over touching a box of ammo.
You can contact him at:
7626 S. LaSalle Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047 323 758-2170
Mr. Robinson was interviewed in the 1990 documentary narrated by Danny Glover. He and survivor Robert Routh met in LA years after the war and became friends -
Best,
Robert
> > > > > (See attached file: Survivors.xls) > > Dr. Allen, > > I am glad we got a chance to speak and talk about the film project we are > working on. > > This is the list of names I found in out files it list survivors and > families of survivors. We are mainly looking in survivors who lived > > the°incident. If you can either verify any contact information or have any > updates or^the status of these individuals it would help limit our search. > I am sure I do not have to tell you that this is sensitive information > that > should not to be shared outside this project. > > Morgan M. Smith > Chief of Interpretation, Education and Outreach > Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site > John Muir National Historic Site t > Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park > Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial > morgan smithQnps.gov > ( 925) 683-9958
10/11/10 9:18 AN/ 1 of 2 f) VV\ Vo ) w Li vb jV is /'w
First Name Last Name Com; Address Cit; ZiL 20 Glenric Montclair 07042 Frank! Alston P.O, Box , Hayward CA 94540 Glenn &Ale Alston (707) 645-0611 51 Ramsc Vallejo CA 94591-831' Samuel & E Boykin 2039 W 1- San Bernar CA 92411 Wade Brown 6220 Johr SacramenttCA 95842 James Edwards 94608 (510) 645-0754 Robert Edwards 987 57th I Oakland CA 5810 Mac Oakland CA 94609 Randle Cla Ellington (510) 534-5708 2316 Ran Oakland CA 94601 Sikes Family (510) 658-3269 933 37th I Oakland CA 94608 Soublet Family 94127 Morrison F. Gardener 50 San Ar San Francis CA 2211 Mon Pittsburg CA 94565 Edward J. Hart 1652 Dee Pittsburg CA 94565 T.J. Hart (323) 295-0384 5324 Angl Los Angele: CA 90043 Cheryl Jackson (510) 235- 256 Soutl- Richmond CA 94804 Dewhitt Jamison 9733 home (510) 236- 1818 work
615 Flora Martinez CA 94552 (925) 229-2891 Dudley Knisley 2944 Corr Rocklin CA 95765 Dr & Mrs D Marna 95954 (530) 873-4021 Janice Pow McKinnon P.O. Box < Magalia CA 1040 Stirr Concord CA 94518 Shirley & D McKinnon 90043 (323) 295-0384 5324 Angl Los Angele: CA Eleanor & C Meeks 3956 Ledt Cincinnati OH 45229 William & CMundon 71202 Josephine Price 2929 Che Monroe LA 484 Lake Oakland CA 94610 Michael & L Reams 10019 (310) 463-5 patrendlerri Pat Rendleman 340 West New York tjJY 11 Pine Ti Salisbury NC 28144 (704)636- Patricia Prc Rendleman 4064 home (828) 898- 4746 summer prendlemar 1417 Dog Raleigh NC 27607 (919)782- Richard Rendleman 4170 home (919) 962- SI 88 work Richard Re 1259 Nort Yuba City CA 95991 (530)673-0188 Morris & Pc Rich 90019 (323)733-3269 3605 Cou Los Angele: CA Robert R#ft 5122 N. HWashingtor DC 02001 (202) 829-2731 p Eugene Sayles 292 Wellir Webster NY 14580 (716)671-3098 Thomas H. Shaw PO Box 1 Oakland CA 94619 Spencer E. Sikes S y 94901 (415)485-1581 160 SeaviSan Rafael CA Joseph Simon 5109 Pine Oakland CA 94605-3815(510)638- richardsout Kathleen & Soublet 8495 home (510) 562- SI 26 work
Notes ______• ' ------Survivor - guest book 7-17-99 Survivor's family - son of Frank Alston, guest book 7-17-99 Survivor Survivor Survivor's family - son of Robert Edwards Sr. Survivor Survivor, Claude Ellington 1921-2002 Survivor Survivor Survivor Survivor's family - son of TJ Hart
Survivor's family- daughter of Freddie Meeks, pardoned from mutiny charge Survivor
Survivor - Merchant Marine electrician Survivor's family - related to Morris Rich Survivor - POCH town resident Survivor - POCH town resident, where she was born Survivor's family - wife & daughter of Freddie Meeks, pardoned from mutiny charge Survivor Survivor's family - relative of Willie Sims (see AC Taylor) Survivor’s family - grandchildren of Robert Edwards Survivor's family - daughter of Lt. Richard Rendleman (letter^) Survivor's family - wife of Lt. Richard Rendleman (letters)
Survivor's family - son of Lt. Richard Rendleman (letters) o f ^
Survivor - Armed Guard Survivor - lost his sight Survivor - clarinet player for band at POCH Survivor - aboard E.A. Bryan days before the explosion Survivor's family - son of Spencer Sikes Sr. Survivor Survivor's family - son of Morris Soublet, Sr. Mr. Joseph Small Port Chicago Sailor, 1943 to 1944
I was in my bunk almost asleep when the explosions hit. I didn’t know what the first one was,- and the second one disintegrated the barracks. It picked me up off the bunk - - 1 was holding on to my mattress — and flipped me over. I hit the floor with the mattress on top of me. That’s why I escaped injury. The glass and debris that fell hit the mattress rather than me. I got one minor cut. Other fellows were cut and bleeding all over the place. I helped some of the men that were injured, One fellow’s feet were bleeding and I gave him my shoes. Another fellow had a cut all the way down his arm, and I put a tourniquet on it to try to stop the bleeding. There were no medics around; it was chaos.
Mr. Duane Wiley Port Chicago Resident, 1935 to 1957 I was bom in Texas, and we came to Port Chicago about 1934, ’35. In 19441 was twelve years old. My father worked at the Port Chicago base as a blocker and bracer. He worked with the wood bracing that was put around the ammunition in boxcars so it doesn’t move around. My dad, on the night of the explosion, was working in the shop. They didn’t find him for a day and a half. When they found him he was injured very badly. When the explosion blew it blew out all the windows and the glass. He was standing and running a band saw with a big, long blade. The explosion blew the building down, and blew the saw on top of him, cut him up pretty severe, and the glass was all in his body. A funny thing about glass. If you get a piece of glass in your body, over the years it will eventually work itself off and want to come out. Twenty-five years, thirty years after the explosion we could still take glass out of my Dad’s back. He stayed in the hospital for over three months the first time. He returned to the hospital two separate times to be repaired. He eventually overcame the injuries that he got during the explosion, and he lived until was eighty-four years old. EXCERPTS FROM ORAL HISTORIES for July 18, 2009 Memorial. Oral histories done by Tracey Panek (and Robert Allen interview with Joe Small.)
Mr. Robert Routh, Jr. Port Chicago Sailor, 1942 to 1944
There was one ship being loaded and another ship was the due in that day that didn’t really arrive until around eight o’clock in the evening... On this particular day, July 17 . . . at ten o’clock when taps sounded I put away my gear in my locker where I had been writing. Being a teenager, 19, and typical of teenagers there was the usual, you know — pimples and so forth - and so I went to wash up and put on Noxema and get ready to hit the sack. I guess by about 10:201 jumped into my bunk. I had the upper bunk. Bunks were two by two. I had been in my bunk a minute or two when all hell broke loose with the explosion - a humungous Bang! I had my head, pillows on my arm looking in the opposite direction. When the first explosion came, well I sat up on my arms and looked toward the dock. You know how barracks are built with window after window after window. At just about the time I looked up then the second explosion occurred. I gues in the span of just seven, eight seconds it was all over. But looking toward the docks brought about a devastating problem for me. Flying glass, compression, and so on, lacerated my eyes and the left one was lacerated so badly that it was removed that night. The right one had a laceration that went across the eye and eventually left me with what was referred to as split vision. In those days, in order to close up any laceration the common practice was to use sutures. Back then, with scars in both eyes, from that point I was rendered a blind person.
Mr. Harold Tegner Coast Guard Sailor, 1944
I was on a patrol boat. We had certain areas to patrol and we kept people out... We were just doing our thing patrolling there, and I was in my bunk because I didn’t have to do watch. We used to go pretty close in. We had just passed by the ship and a couple of minutes later we were farther out and that’s when the explosion, the ship blew up. There were two different explosions. Maybe you had six or eight seconds apart. The first one, it was so loud that I thought our boat blew up. I jumped out of my bunk and landed on a bunch of glass and got up and realized that the wheelhouse, the top was blown off. The one guy, Robert Dollar, who was at the wheel, I think he may have gotten the worst of it because he was pretty much more open. The rest of us just some minor scratches as I recall. A few seconds later all this stuff came down on top of us. I guess tons of oil. Black oil and then whatever else. It covered every one of us from head to foot with oil. We were black. Nobody could even call anybody by name - they couldn’t recognize us. Needless to say we were scared stiff. But after we stood out there we couldn’t see anything. There was no lights. Everything was out. Roe Island light was blown out. All our communications was knocked out. Our engines were knocked out and no lights or anything. So we just dropped anchor and waited for somebody to come and pick us us. They said that the explosion, if we would have been closer we would have been killed.
Mr. Robert Edwards Port Chicago Sailor, 1944
I was laying flat on my back reading. The first explosion when it went off, it made me sit up in the bed ‘cause you could just see the flash the light caused. I raised up in order to look to see what was going on. And that’s when I was blown completely out of the bed because of the second explosion, I guess, or either the shockwave from the first hit so I could turn and see the second explosion when it went off... At that particular moment the barracks collapsed. All the lights went out and everything was dark. There was glass everywhere. A few people that had flashlights when I came to were trying to help all of the wounded out of the barracks. You know, they were leading us down the steps that weren’t collapsed, and everyone was giving orders. Everyone was running around trying to do the best they could. It was just chaos. All I can remember is the fellows helping me up and we were walking out. I guess there was an ambulance or what we called a cattle car, the naval shuttle buses that they had. They had a lot of emergencies, ambulances, fire department. Everybody came to the rescue.