Not Taken

Does Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” Apply?

I received the letter sometime this week in October 1964.
The document speaks for itself. ¹

Being in the Army Security Agency and not being able to talk about my work with my wife weighed heavy every day. I anticipated being in the CIA would be at least the same if not more.

I was due to be separated from service on October 31, and my debriefing process was started.

Who knows what stories I could tell if I had taken the CIA path.

One thing for sure, I’d not have what I have now. I am certain God was guiding me without my realization.

As my octogenarianism continues, my mind wanders as I wonder.
Or could it be that my mind wonders as I wander?
It is a fact that I have opinions – or is it?

6 Oct 61

President John F. Kennedy, speaking on civil defense, advises American families to build bomb shelters to protect them from atomic fallout in the event of a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union.¹

Where were you on October 6, 1961? That year the 6th was on a Friday.

I was working at the Army Security Agency communications center ‘Dachsbau’ in Frankfurt, Germany.

Less than two months before, August 13, the border between the Soviet puppet German Democratic Republic and the western sectors was closed.

Life was tense!

There were similar concerns about the full intent of Russians in the GDR, but we in the Agency under extreme caution could not share with our families. My wife and sons had arrived in Frankfurt only a month before on the last flight of dependents that year.

The threat of a local a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union wasn’t of high concern, but the GDR supported by Russia had tanks lined up just 45 miles from Frankfurt.

Life was tense, but 60 years later, here we are!

As my octogenarianism continues, my mind wanders as I wonder.
Or could it be that my mind wonders as I wander?
It is a fact that I have opinions – or is it?

4 Oct 57

Guilty if charged!
What I read was dated, so I could not help myself. I’m breaking my break!

Where were you on October 4, 1957? That year the 4th was on a Friday.

I was with an Army Security Agency electronic equipment installation team at Chitose, Japan. I wasn’t directly involved in monitoring Russian rocket launches; but working with operators, our team tested the installed equipment.

A telemetry intelligence (TELINT) intercept operator testing a workstation said something like, “This one is different,” as he turned on a speaker. ¹ TELINT was and is the mission of collecting and analyzing of signals from and about guided missiles and space missions.

I still remember the beep, beep, beep, sound from the speaker. It was a little like the sound I hear when my coffee machine tells me brewing is complete.

Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, transmitted radio signals back to earth strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. But ASA operators were far above amateur status.

The Agency’s unofficial motto, “In God we trust – all others we monitor,” was in full operation.

As my octogenarianism continues, my mind wanders as I wonder.
Or could it be that my mind wonders as I wander?
It is a fact that I have opinions – or is it?

Blog Break

It is a fact that I have opinions – or is it?

My current opinion is that I should avoid stating my opinions so, no one gets a feeling that I’m presenting a deliberate misinterpretation of an opinion related or unrelated to a fact or other opinion.

However, consider it a fact that this an official announcement of my taking a break.¹

As my octogenarianism continues, my mind wanders as I wonder.
Or could it be that my mind wonders as I wander?

Month: October 2021

Not Taken

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6 Oct 61

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4 Oct 57

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Blog Break

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