(Sing after me…) “GI Beans and GI Gravy, Gee I’m glad I didn’t join the NAVY! Am I right or wrong? Are we weak or strong? Sound off, 1,2, Sooound off, 1,2,3,4.” This is part of an ole Army cadence song, that I would sing to my troops when we were marching or running in a formation. Also called a “Jody” song, as Jody was the SOB that got your girl when you left for the Army. As I sang (read YELL), the troops would repeat every word I said in a energetic and enthusiastic manner. I used to make these “songs” up on the fly as we were running down the street. It helps build morale and creates Esprit de corps within the unit. Oh, your reading this and thinking where is George going with this? Well, I feel an intense pride when I’m around military bases and monuments, and it makes me think back to my military days, which is now another lifetime ago.
Well, Virginia Beach is a Naval Town, and we are visiting from a campground just a few miles down the road. While I tend to “pick on” the Navy, I truly respected those that wear those funny white bowl hats and uniforms that made Popeye famous for singing ” I’m strong to the “finich”, ’cause I eats me spinach” Yep, Virginia Beach is proud naval town.
We went down to the board walk and the ladies got some sand between their toes. Howie and I planted ourselves on the steps and people watched until our brides happily returned. Half way down the boardwalk is the Naval Aviation Monument Park. It was dedicated in 2006 to highlight three eras of naval aviation, starting in the early 20th century, and then progressing to World War II and then to modern times. The monument features laser-etched granite storyboards, along with a tribute to aviators past and present. There is also a monument that includes the names of maintenance personnel and aircraft carriers. It is very well done and tells the terrific history of our great Naval Dominance in the World. Just a side note, the sculptor Michael Maiden, was actually in the Army National Guard. Hmmm, GO ARMY!
We worked up an appetite so we went to Dumars Drive-in. Elkorn told me about this place so we had to check it. The home of the original waffle cone, they hand make this delicious treat rolled right in front of your eyes on the original four iron waffle machine, built in 1904. Of course Guy Fieri from the Food Network was there in 2019.
We decide to eat in the diner instead of eating in the truck. We each order a burger, fries, and an ice cream. We also had a chance to meet and sit with the owners, brother and sister team, 3rd generation who still work at the dinner. I asked her how many waffle cones she eats a day, and she laughed and said some, and she (she first began when she was 13 years old) was outside hand making the cones on the original machine that morning, they make 800+ a day. Very awesome folks and a slice of Americana that we love to experience.
