FROM SMALL TOWN ENGLAND TO WILD WEST USA

Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England is a small town on the East coast of England and about 10 miles from RAF Station Bentwaters - home of 81st Fighter Interceptor Wing, US Air Force. I was born and raised in Aldeburgh and, while still in school, started baby-sitting for American families who lived off-base in town. In July 1954 I became secretary at 81st Medical Group (later 81st Tactical Hospital). The hospital Commander at that time, and my first boss, was Major Glenn A. Hoss.  Capt. Joseph Dillehay was Adjutant and M/Sgt. Leo Loughlin 1st Sgt.   What a different world I suddenly found myself in - but a small friendly “family” who really took care of this almost even 18 year old.

The wedding photo at Aldeburgh parish church, 1956.

Wedding photo:  from left to right,  Arthur Broeker, husband Robert Winans, me, sister Maureen Borsey (now living in Chelmsford) friend Diana Hoover (was Fowkes from Ipswich) and now living near Boston, Massachusetts.

I married Sgt. Robert E. Winans who was assigned to the Hospital in 1955. We were transferred Stateside in 1958 to Stead AFB just north of Reno, Nevada. I know my parents just knew that there were still cowboys and Indians chasing each other out in the wild, wild west.  Reno was a total culture change from my home in Aldeburgh, England.

The last picture of Bob and Megan together, taken for Megan's church directory December 1994

Every single thing was different - the climate, the altitude and of course, the lifestyle. Stores were open all the time, slot machines were in all the stores, the town did not turn off the lights and go to sleep at night.

Stead AFB was the survival school training site at that time and at the end of the 6 weeks course everyone graduating and working in the office were given $5.00 tokens for Harrahs. $5.00 back then was quite a bit of money to be given just to waste!  We enjoyed just wandering around in downtown Reno watching everyone else spend their money - looking at all the lights - eating the cheap meals. Back in the late 50s an overseas phone call had to be booked ahead of time - $3.00 per minute! Believe I only spoke to my parents back in England twice in my 3 years in Reno.

My parents-in-law lived in San Francisco at that time and every time a class at Stead AFB graduated it meant a 4 day weekend for most of the office staff and we would go over to San Francisco. At first we did not have a car and went over on Greyhound, over Donner Summit. What scenery for someone from relatively flat England!  I really believe because of our lifestyles back then it was easier to get used to a new country and a new culture. The wives did not work outside the home as much, we did not have the money to make trips back to England. Because I was home with our son I got to know my neighbors - I was not alone! In 1961 we transferred back to RAF Station Bentwaters which was fantastic, however, America had already become my home.

Megan Winans (nee Hayward)  March 2000