Wearing a uniform during that era – especially in SFO – was not advised. But timing as always, is everything.Clint Eastwood bought the four of us a drink at the lobby bar @ the Fairmont Hotel, SFO, just after making some of his Spaghetti Westerns.
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He was just passing through ... saw us sitting there in our pitiful Midshipman suits with woeful faces, came over and said: "HEY! I'll buy the Navy a drink". Chatted for a few minutes, paid the bill and left.
It wasn't a woman, but it was still O.K. ....
Good to hear Clint Eastwood came through. (Not a surprise)
I spent a great and memorable night before we deployed on our first combat cruise with 8 great friends, all of us in civvies, in the Fairmont's Tonga Room. We had a most remarkable and enjoyable night; but we all paid our (expensive) way.
Many years later, upon being surprised to see the Tonga Room still existed, I took my entire family and some close friends there. Although everyone thoroughly enjoyed the night, for me it was bittersweet. Naturally, no one could ever imagine or truly appreciate my experience there, so many years prior. Nor did I tell any at our table. . . of the subsequent losses from our group of 8 on that wonderful night so many years prior.
Occasionally today, when I do see our people in uniform, and who honor the uniform in public, I am inclined to cover a tab. Although it's for them, I also really do it for my buddies, officer and enlisted, who in my time were never granted that small honor.
