Tainan Beach 1970s

A thought came to my mind while I was cleaning the Beach photos in this story.

"What a beautiful place Tainan was."

Photo courtesy George Hammett via Tainan Face Book page. 

The Security Police Barracks above, motorcycle parked on street next to door.
Look at this photo for a moment, beautiful and peaceful.


*******

 Last year I contacted Bill Reese, a former Security Police K-9 handler at Tainan.

 Bill served at Tainan, 1971-1973. 

 Anyone remember how many "Military Dogs" were working at Tainan?

During our conversation we discussed many things about the base and what went on behind the scenes.

I'm glad I was able to contract Bill last year. Bill passed away, this March.

Today, some of the photographs Bill graciously shared with me.

These photos, taken at Tainan Beach, during what looks to be a unit party.

Anyone remember this get-together at the beach?

Please leave your thoughts below...

Very old MAAG BEACH signage.  
Was this the entrance gate to the beach in the 1950's? 
Lots of questions about this photo and what we can see.

Before Tainan became a US Air Force facility, it was part of MAAG Taiwan.

Who stood watch at this MAAG Beach guard post?

Notice the circular bulb, which was probably red colored, hanging from the upper left of roof.

Walking along the streets outside of the base, in town, you would always see red colored balls on many street corners, and a police station in close proximity. 

Same type of BEACH signage pointing the way, courtesy Tom Roberts circa 1956-58.

Turn left and drive on toward the MAAG Beach.... 
Old style wheeled lunch wagon just in front.

Cloudy day, should be a great party.

Beach club rear entrance.

Beach Club.  Look at those comfortable Beach Chairs...
All photos courtesy Bill Reese, unless noted differently.

DOUBLE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO GET A FULL-SCREEN VIEW  

Before the games begin...


The guys have all the goodies necessary for a fun time, beer, sodas and good food.
Notice the burgers, but, are there ribs or chicken in the cooler? 
Notice the 3 bottles of BBQ sauce on the table.

Looking across the sand toward the Beach Club buildings.

OK, move that table out of the way so we can play volleyball.

Fun, fun, fun, some one always makes one of those unbelievable digs.....

Game on-going..  Beer brake for some, change players..
Good time to get a burger and head to the lounge chairs, watch the waves and talk story...

Relax..... Pretty much have the whole place to yourself.
How much would you pay to hang-out at the beach on vacation.
No cost at Tainan, back-in-the-day for you.

More folks arriving.

Is that the cement bunker in the distance?

 This is possibly a different bunker than the photo above?

This looks like the same bunker as photo just above.

 Time to head home, a mother taking a youngster into the water as a young boy races down the beach with his hands full...

What days they were.... at Tainan.

Confirmed: AIT to be guarded by U.S. Marines

A new beginning....

Read the story on the Taipei Times web site:

 

An Old Ally in a Difficult Position

Taiwan appears to be in a conundrum; attempting to train their conscripts during their 4 month stint of military duty, and maintaining a strong military.

Yesterday's Taipei Times newspaper had a interesting article on Taiwan's military training and those who serve. 

Link to the story below:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2018/07/19/2003696933 

Chinese Tourists in Taiwan

An article in today's Taipei Times newspaper hit home for me.

Chinese citizens (tourists) have been visiting Taiwan for about 10 years.  

I have experienced their deportment on many occasions, especially tour groups.

Individual visitors are not as easily recognized as Chinese tour groups.

This article, written by a staff writer for one of Shanghai's newspapers hits the nail on the head!

Here is the Taipei Times article

Worth your read!!!

Looks Like our Marines Will Guard AIT....

It's the old story, everyone is dancing around the subject!

In Saturday's Taipei Times newspaper, an article quoting CNN as saying US Marines would be sent to guard our new AIT complex in Taipei..But, is that FAKE News?

The CNN Story:

Today, no one talks.

A Taipei Times follow-up article in today's newspaper

New AIT Facility Dedicated in Neihu

It took many more years to build than planned, but the new American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) compound was finally dedicated yesterday in Taipei.

Here is the Taipei Times story ---

Here is link to the On-Line story at the Taipei Times Website which is probably easier to read:

 

Memorial Day Gathering in Taipei 2018

Click below to watch video of ceremony... https://youtu.be/nat62UR6RFM

 

We gathered just beyond the 3 trees by the truck, about 11:00 AM, on Memorial Day 2018.

I arrived before anyone else. It was overcast with slight threat of rain.

Here's the end of the old prison wall. 

 

Looking back toward the end of the wall. 

During the ceremony, you will hear Michael Hurst talk about what happened to the bodies of those executed inside the prison.

Here is that old gate, now bricked-up, where bodies were placed.

During the ceremony, Michael Hurst talks about the prison wall being constructed from the stones that once were the wall around old Taipei, torn down during the Japaneses period and used to construct the wall surrounding the huge Taipei Prison.

Here, some of the people who came to the service, talking story before the ceremony commenced.  

Courtesy Michael Hurst
  Here some of the folks that came out for the Memorial Day gathering.

Courtesy Scott Ellinger  
Last photo taken this Memorial Day 2018.

The Memorial Day gathering was organized by:

Michael Hurst  MBE
Director, Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society

Thank you Michael.

Before you watch the video below, I would like to mention that the portable audio system that is usually used was not functioning.  Apparently the batteries were gone, and there was not time to replace them.

As the ceremony began, the wind begin to blow as the rain clouds blew over the site.  A sprinkle of rain here and there, but the largest problem was the wind whistling past the camera as I was recording, blocking out the speaker, Michael Hurst occasionally.  

What's important, we gathered to remember those who were men who lost their lives here at the prison and all around the world.

Memorial Day 2018 along the wall outside the old Taipei Prison.  

Click to watch video of ceremony... https://youtu.be/nat62UR6RFM

THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO WANTS TO BEGIN AT 5.11 MINUTES IN.

I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT IT A NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT IT WON'T MOVE.

SO, WHEN IT BEGINS, JUST PUSH THE RED LINE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VIDEO TO THE LEFT AND THEN LET GO, IT WILL BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING..