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Skippy and Boomer have both warned me of an Air Force decision to either limit selected base access, or bar altogether, use by retirees. The claim is to reduce exposure to the Wuhan Virus- exactly how this works by grouping retirees into long lines and allowing a few in at a time is left unsaid.<\/p>\n
Boomer sends a first hand account of his experience at AAFB on Guam.<\/p>\n
What I experienced and witnessed yesterday (Saturday the 21st) at the Andersen commissary was outrageous and cruel. Allowing retirees access only on weekends to shop in the commissary or go to the BX was both an inane and insane decision by the two senior military commanders on the island IMHO. Apparently they don’t realize just how many thousands of us who served careers are on the island and what would occur trying to allow them access on just one or two days versus each weekday. I’m sure most would recognize the old term ‘goat rope’. It was worse that that!!!<\/p>\n
What was most distressing was the fact that all of those in very very long lines, longer than I’ve ever witnessed before, were not only old, but most were handicapped to some degree. A few in wheelchairs. One lady holding herself up with two crutches. Myself, I suffer from a cardiovascular problem in my left leg that affects my lower back and causes severe pain if I walk too far or stand too long. I stood in that line for 2 1\/2 hours just to get to the door. Arrived just past 7AM, the normal opening time for those with handicaps. Told that the store wouldn’t open until 10. After an hour in line, and it was growing fast, we were told it would open at 9. Then at 9 we were told it would open at 10 again. About that time the Base Commander’s vehicle showed up and some young guy got out and went to the commissary entrance. Apparently to tell them to open the damn store and let the people in.<\/p>\n
Only 80 at a time were allowed it to start. I was well within that 80. After shopping and about 45″ later departing the parking lot the line was still as long, if not longer than when I was allowed into the store.<\/p>\n
I just wonder how the commanders who made this decision would feel had their father or mother (if a retiree) had to stand in line for so long. Immediately in front of me was a lady about five feet tall, probably older than me at 82, who was beginning to teeter holding onto her shopping card. I was thinking I hope there is an ambulance ready to roll. Fortunately it appears nobody suffered serious injury. Me? I was rather uncomfortable for those several hours of standing in line. Today I was really slow to get up and move.<\/p>\n
This should never have happened and I consider it, as I’ve already noted, cruel and unusual. If the problem is hoarding then I suggest, and they are already doing so, limit purchases on certain items. Water and toilet paper come to mind.<\/p>\n
A pat on the back to Guam’s young Congressional representative for his efforts in asking the local commanders to reverse their insane decision to restrict access for those of us who served faithfully. He makes a good point of how divisive this action is. All we should ask for is equal treatment, respect and consideration for our service and for the privileges we’ve earned.<\/p>\n
I’d really like to express how I really feel, but dare not because most receiving this are Christians.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n