The day we were married on 6-25-1982 –

this is after both of us were married and divorced.

We met at AOTC –

I was working in shipping and she was working in payroll.

I had to walk by her desk-

to the traffic manager’s office to get paperwork.

By that time I had already worked here for 13 years –

starting June 5, 1967.

And she started a few years before we were married.

For as long as I can remember –

I always wanted to be near the sand – surf of the beach.

The first place we went on vacation together was to the Outer Banks.

But before I met her –

I worked in Body Prep for American Olean Tile Co.

First 6 1/2 years was on the second shift-

before I bid on a day shift job in the same department.

The new crew I worked with were –

Nick – Zeke – Clarence – Lynn – Walt -Bobby – and Big John.

This crew had worked in that department for years –

before I came to work there.

The Tile Plant was what I called a generation plant.

Grandfathers – fathers and sons –

all worked there.

When they finally closed the doors in 2012 –

It had been operating for 99 1/2 years!

I worked there for 32 years before we transferred out in 1999.

Sherry by that time was Logistics –

and I was a supervisor.

I had worked all over the plant –

and ended up running the two departments I started in.

Those early years were full of memories for me.

I worked with people who at the time I started –

had over forty years in!

I remember the original owner walking through the plant.

I knew every nook and cranny –

as when I transferred –

I was responsible for all the outside grounds –

Acres and acres needed to be maintained.

I would inspect the roof –

and report anything I saw to the head of maintenance.

By that time –

I headed the replacing of people on vacations for the entire plant –

those positions I had to have people who could replace them –

if they – the department –

couldn’t fill in the spots – and I had to do it with no overtime.

All this while filling in myself for other supervisors’ vacations or time off.

I needed a change –

I was stressed out – time to leave.

So when Sherry said she also wanted to leave –

we began searching for openings in the company.

Two jobs came up in NVA –

and we applied for them=

and we got them.

Transferring within the company meant that we carried our service years with us.

By the time we retired,

we had accumulated 79 1/2 years between us.

Those early years have brought us here to 2025 –

and living our life near the beach.

My and her dream has come true.

But – I fondly remember the early years –

the struggles and raising two sets of children.

Today I look back-

at that crew, I worked with all those years ago –

as far as I know –

sadly all but two are gone.

But – I cherish those days =

as they were with me growing up from 1967 –

a time of turmoil in the world –

to find security within those walls and earn a living.

Thanks for reading and HGD!

Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SHERRY and PAPA – celebrating our lives together.