Today's Featured Biography

Terry Bucklew

I’m Terry Bucklew, some of you won’t remember me as we left in 1960 after two tours at Ramey from 1952-1956 and then again from 1958-1960. First tour my dad flew the B-36 and then returned as a KC-135 Pilot. After leaving Ramey we spent our last year in the service at Tyndall AFB. Nothing good to say about that place, so we moved to Lake Mary Fla. where I graduated from Seminole High School. After high school and a few nights staying out late, I found myself drafted in the USofA Army. Graduated 6th in my class of 240 and was rewarded with the great Rebublic of South Viet Nam. Key word there was "Survival" and it wasn't on TV. When I got out of the Army I settled in Coronado Ca, where I found my brother Mitch, Navy Seal, and Bo, Surfer dude. I spent the 70's and most of the 80's Commercial Fishing during the Summer and Fall months and then Captain of a yacht in Cabo San Lucas Mexico during the winter and Spring months. I did find time to get married and had my first child, but that ended when I went South one to many times. Finally hung up my fishing hooks, got hooked!, so to speak and have 3 wonderful children by my present and only wife Shelly. Opened a Marine Service Business and went to work like everyone else. I have been coaching Youth Soccer for the last 23 years and have never done anything in my life that brings more satisfaction than working with kids. Must come from the fact that my dad was always away flying high in the sky. I am very proud of my heritage. My father, as most of yours, was a true hero in a time of need for our country. We make mistakes, but usually are able to admit to it, or are forced by our great system to right the wrong, for what it is worth. I love the USA, and believe that, if you don't like it, you ought to live somewhere else. Like Georgia! I can't wait to see some of you at some time to renew old friendships. There are so many names I remember from Ramey and things that we did, CAP, Swim Team, Ramey Spearfishing Club, golf (by the way, the course plays just like it did in 1960 when I played in a Jr Golf Tournament with my Brothers). Speaking of my brothers, Mitch and Corky and I, have joined an organization called the Ramey AFB Historical Association and have attended 2 of their reunions. The first was at Ramey in 2007 and the latest was in April 2008 in Tucson, AZ.
Most of the members are the parents and airmen that served at Ramey from its inception in 1939, until the base closed in 1973. Like my brothers and I, there are probably 20-25 former dependents that are members also.
What we, as an organization, have been able to accomplish, is designating the Base Hospital, now a Marriott Hotel and Casino, as an Historical Site, and were able to place a plaque on the entrance to the building in 2006. Also one in the Old “O” Club and through negotiation with the Hotel owners, were able to persuade them to keep the marble floor at the entrance to the “O” Club intact, and refurbished. It is now the Convention Center. We are now in the process of having the old base tower and water tower also declared an historical building and trying to secure the tower as a museum. Gerry Giles, former teacher at RHS in the 70’s, is our Museum Coordinator and Curator. He has been collecting donations from former “Rameyites” for quite a while now, and when we are able to open the museum, it will be quite impressive.
The long of it is, we are planning our 2009 Reunion around the 70th Anniversary of the opening of Ramey AFB in 1939. We are, at present, contracting with the hotels that are in the old Airman’s barracks, El Faro Hotel and Suites, and the Marriott, the old hospital, for a convention room rate and plan on being there from April 21st through the 25th 2009.
I would love to talk with you about your efforts in contacting old graduates and attendees of RHS as I am in charge of membership and I feel that we have a great opportunity to preserve some of what we all went through there at Ramey, whether it is from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s. Actually, the base is still partially active as a Coast Guard Base and has been since 1973. There are many people who have shared that experience, and if you were to return today you would find it much like you left it. It sure was that way when I returned in 2006 with my brothers and 85 year old mother(some will remember her as a LT in CAP) and sat at the old NCO Club and danced on the same floor to the same music as we did as pre-teens in the 50’s.
I remember my friends, Eddie Guthrey, Randy Grottke, and guys that I've had the priviledge of renewing a friendship with, like Rick Rhinehart, in hopes of seeing them again. Here's to everyone that ever slid down Devil's Descent in the middle of the night to party and then had to climb back up full of rum when the AP's tried to bust the party. I'll remember you forever, just as soon as I get over the hangover!
Terry Bucklew
Ramey Brat
1952-1960

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