| Vern was 1st here with his 1953 High School Class Trip, arriving on ship "South American" at Navy Pier, saw sites and returned home by boarding a train at a station no longer there, one block N.W. of Grant Park. continue below |
| Vern's 2nd experience in Chicago started in the fall of 1953 when he joined the Navy. The physical and swearing in took place some where outside of the Loop. He just missed being flown to San Diego for the plane was full. His 1st ride on the elevated train was to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Liberty was taken many times here in the Loop, mostly on State Street, where the Movie Theaters were. He learned to pick up girls at Walgreen's, chase them through the Palmer House or making dates. These girls were under 18, but were dressed to kill. He also visited the Planeterium and viewed exhibits at Navy Pier. He also got his only Tatoo here, just before going home to Fennville, Mom was not pleased. The train home was always from LaSalle Street Station. In the spring of 1954, from LaSalle Street Station he was transfered to Little Creek, Virgina, aboard one of the Last Streamlined Steam Engines. |
| In 1955 Letha had her 1st experience in Chicago. She too took the same Senior Class Trip, but in reverse. She came to Chicago by train and left by the same ship Vern did, "South American". It would be four years before they met each other. |
| Vern's 3rd experience here was with his wife Letha, in November of 1961, they took a train from Michigan, changed trains at Union Station and went to Denver Colorado to see their friends Joyce and Carl. The train was full of skier's and quite fun. Also, in the fall of 1964 they spent a weekend here. Their hotel was by the Illinois River and their best view was of the twin circular towers near the Wrigley Building. The toured the Art Museum, Planeterium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. They have driven through many times since, including the 1974 visit. |
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