Frank Smith, an Air Force man, who's assigned duty station was at Taiwan Motors, spent a lot of his free time up at Club 63, circa 1962-1963.
Taipei's Club 63, for many single and unaccompanied personnel, served as a
"Home away from Home"
Club 63
offered more than a cold beer and good food.
There was always something going on at Club 63....
I don't have a Monthly Flyer from the Club for 1963, but here's what was going on in
June of 1968..
Sunday's - Movie at 8PM
Monday's - Pinochle, Floor Show or TV Shows
Tuesday's - BINGO
Wednesday's - Floor Show
Thursday's - Movie Night
Friday's - Mongolian BBQ, Floor Shows, Monte Carlo Night, Men's Night
and "In and Out" Reception for Arrivals and
Departees.
Saturday's - Children's Birthday Celebration and Floor Shows
Membership Night - Every Quarter.
Dinner, chits for 4 Alcoholic Beverages, all on the House.
After dinner and a "few" of those free
drinks,
the Emcee would Introduce a 'Risque' Floor Show.
Changes to the schedule would take place, but there always was something
happening, to help draw you back to Club 63.
During the warmer months of the year - The Swimming Pool was open.
Our beloved MAAG NCO club in Taipei officially operated as:
"MAAG NCO Open Mess" Club 63.
Frank carried his Red Cross Card of certification as a "Lifeguard"
He worked at the Club 63 Pool as a Lifeguard during his off-duty hours.
Sometime after working the Lifeguard position, he was asked to help with teach swimming lessons. Club 63 taught many Club members children to swim, and Frank was instrumental in teaching many children and adults to swim at the club pool.
A lazy afternoon at the Club Pool.
Look at those Big billowy clouds, the cool water, what a day in Taipei..
A great place to relax under the shade, hide from the sun.
The Keelung River was about 40/50 yards on the other side of this wall.
Look at that aircraft on approach to the airport.
I'm going to guess it's a DC-6, civilian airliner.
I don't recognize the tail, perhaps someone knows what airline it is.
That's NOT Frank on the Lifeguard stand. It looks like the Life Guard is situating the umbrella into the stand. It can get awfully Hot up on that chair without shade.
There is also a Lifeguard standing back toward the open window, he's wearing a White Pith Helmet, as is the other Lifeguard on the "high" chair under the umbrella.
In this group of photos, we can clearly see the "Old" Grand Hotel.
A different view of the Snack Bar, to the right of the building across the pool.
What was that window on the left side? Looks like a bunch of baskets inside, Hummm, could you drop off you street clothes at the window?
A girl walks in front of the camera, a man is diving into the pool just to the left of the girl here wearing the cap, a life guard is talking story with some men over by the building.
It's a wonderful day at the Club 63 pool.....
I'd love to be sitting at that table across the pool, nursing a cold San Miguel Philippines.
A couple of "not yet on Duty" Life Guards waiting to go on-duty, resting in the pool area.
This girl was a dependent who liked Club 63, had a boyfriend Lifeguard here.
I guess she's wearing the 1963 version of a bikini.
Her boyfriend.
Another lifeguard, with her boyfriend, Club 63.
Frank also sent along, the Club 63, Adult Beverages
Price List
Anyone recognize the beer listed above Foster?
Frank also has the House Rules of Club 63.
If you'd like a copy, Email me:
taipeiairstation@yahoo.com
I want to thank Frank Smith for sharing so much of his story while assigned
to Taipei.
His photos have helped keep the History of the United States Military in Taiwan available for all time.
There are few people that would not say, in some way,
"My time in Taiwan were some of the best days of my life"
Tsi Gen my friends.......
10 comments:
Kent, I think the beer you asked about is Champale. Never tasted it but I read that it's a malt liquor that tastes sort of like a sparkling wine. I think they still make it.
The plane in the one photo could be a Lockheed Electra and even though the coloring is off I suspect it’s a Cathay Pacific airplane in that they flew those planes in that time.
I think Don is right about the Champale. Also, are those $US prices? Why not NT? ( I was a kid; didn't keep up with the money side of things.)
The aircraft Stan has mentioned above:
https://reurl.cc/qDb3jn
Anonymous --- I tried to open the link, would not open?
This is amazing! I frequent this place a lot still when I visit Taipei these few years. It is now called "American Club Taipei" and despite the many renovations they've undergone since then, I can still see the resemblance of the swimming pool.
Fond memories here. I was MC at the Club on weekends in 1961-1962. The prices on the menu look very accurate. The House Band was an 8pc orchestra from the Philippines-Rudy Arevalo Rudy and I put together a musical revue of South Pacific in 1961. All GI cast. My wife played Nellie Forbush and brought the house down singing "Gonna wash that man right outta My hair". The
orchestra was outstanding! The Club would book "exotic" shows once a month on Friday nights.
Of course the MC would have to go back-stage to "ready" the "young ladies". Didn't sit well with my wife. I could go on and on. My God that was 60 years ago!!! Merv Massey Spec5
Army Security Agency Linkou Air Station
My father was stationed at Shu Linkou from 1958-1963, and I was born there in 1958. He sang in a group called the "Satellites" at Club 63, the International House, and many other venues. I wonder if anyone remembers seeing them perform? I have tons of photos. Their members changed as guys shipped in and shipped out, but my Dad stayed with the group from inception till they disbanded....about four years. He was Staff Sergeant Donald Jackson.
Dear CJ-How surprising and wonderful to hear from someone very close to Taiwan, Shu Linkou and
Club 63.....after a lot of years. Would you believe 63 years??!! I don't remember a group
called the Satellites, but with my memory at age 89, a lot has slipped away. Way back in my memory I think I DO remember your Dad. As MC at Club 63 in 61-62 I think that I may have
had him sing as a separate soloist. Apparently, you lived off-base. In town or the countryside?
My wife and I rented a cute little house nestled into the side of YangMingSan (sp?) mountain
I was Army-76th USASA. I bet your Dad was AirForce USAFSS. Do you remember his MOS? I was a
RDF operator (056 MOS). Thanks so much for your post. Brought back wonderful memories.
Merv Massey-Wisconsin
Dear Merv-WOW. So amazing that you were there at that time! Yes, we were Air Force...my Dad's MOS was Construction Supervisor. I have a copy of a program from a talent contest that the Satellites performed in...the title on the program says "United States Air Force Talent Contest, Taiwan Area Level, Shu Linkou Air Station, March 29, 1961". The MC's for that particular event were A2C Ben Petersen, and SSGT Riley Flynn. The presentation of awards was by Lt Col Morris B. Johnson, Commander Shu Linkou Air Station. Perhaps you knew these guys? Anyway, the only guy from the Satellites who is actually listed in the program as a soloist is A1C Robert Orr, Jr. The Satellites were the very last group to perform.
We lived in American Village, where many military families stayed. I was the third of four kids, my younger brother was born there also. I remember LOTS of children around! My older sister and brother attended the Dominican School, which is still there. I was very young, but have beautiful memories of our time there. My parents used to say those were some of the best years of their lives!
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