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TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY
by Virgil R. Marco Sr., 366BS Tail Gunner, 305BG After a very cold week in Presque Isle, Maine, we flew on a transport plane to New York City where we
found the weather much warmer. An Army station wagon was waiting at La Guardia Airport to deliver us to the old Murray Hill Hotel, a few blocks from Grand Central Station. The old Murray Hill Hotel had been
taken over by the Air Force and you were not aware of this until you entered the front door. Confronting you was a M.P. behind a large desk asking for your authorization to enter or leave the hotel.
This hotel must have been a very luxurious place in its day. However, when we reached our large room with a high ceiling, ornate molding and antique light fixtures, we found that the Army had a way of
changing something of beauty to a drab, depressing GI appearance. The once beautiful room was filled to capacity with Army bunk beds. This was my first visit to New York City and I was
anxious to take the free tour of the city arranged by the U.S.O. Most every morning for the next several days the enlisted men on our crew were suffering with "hangovers" from too much booze and lack of
sleep. Only Ed Schwartz stayed sober. We never took advantage of the free U.S.O. tour. I did walk over to Time Square and found the Stage Door Canteen where I stood in a long line to receive my free
sandwich and soft drink. I was expecting to see some famous entertainers, but the entertainment was furnished from the local talent who I had never seen before. I could not complain as it was free and my
money was running out. |
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