Presidio Closing

The news of the closing of four major military bases in California (“House Vote Spells End for 86 Bases,” Part I, April 19) brought back to me memories of my first love affair with California, particularly with the Presidio of California in San Francisco.

As a young man of 20, born and raised in the Boston area, I had enlisted in the United States Army in June, 1940, and chose to be assigned to the 65th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment which was stationed in Fort Winfield Scott which is at the top of the Presidio.

For a city boy, Fort Scott was an outdoor wonder. The barracks were nestled against virgin woods overlooking the Golden Gate and its bridge. Fronting the buildings was a huge parade ground covered with evergreen grass. There was no smog, only fog, but a gentle fog which echoed the foghorns and melodies of the bell buoys.

To drill and parade in this garden, to fall asleep to the muffled sound of “Taps” (from a live bugler) and its echo are memories which time can never erase.

If the Presidio (and Fort Scott) must be closed, may it become a national park, and if some of its pristine beauty still remains, please let it be so forever.

HASKELL COLLIER

Whittier