- On January 1, 1980, an earthquake struck the island we were on. It was a beautiful day and many people were outside. Once the earthquake struck, many Portuguese people lost their lives, but the Americans at Lajes, banded together with their peers and families along with the surviving Portuguese to gather clothes, food and medical supplies. It was a sad time but everyone joined together in brotherhood and sisterhood to help those in need.
- Our family needed to get on base, so we began walking as dad was at work that night so he had the car. The aftershokes were worse. My mother and I took turns carrying my youngest brother. On the way, a taxi driver stopped, picked us up and took us to the base. He refused to take any money from us. That memory has stayed with us for 40 years.
School Memories
