Yesterday, a moment or so before noon, I heard what sounded like fire engine sirens that had started to blare like crazy. the thing was the sound came from a stationary point, not from firetruck speeding to a fire. Then, maybe half a minute later, I heard something I have not heard in Texarkana ever before and otherwise have not heard in decades. Right at noon, what sounded like an air raid siren also went off. That was from the local high school, across from the dog park where I was walking Skye, my pooch. After about 3 minutes of nonstop siren from the school, I got somewhat concerned, in fact enough to bring up the news on my phone. That was because, it had been sounding off for so long and it reminded me of the air raid siren tests run every day in NYC back in the 1960s. Do you remember them? They probably had them all over the USA back then.
With all the shit going on in the world and it being the first time I have ever heard that alarm here (I have been in this area over 6 years now), and it going on for three minutes or more, I wondered if we were under attack. Of course, there was nothing to worry about in the news, at least no immediate threats, and the siren stopped right after I checked the news. Boy oh boy though, it had me wondering.
That, I guess, is due to my having grown up during the worst part of the Cold War! I remember air raid drills in St. Pancras RC School, we students had to: immediately become and remain absolutely silent, listen to directions either over the loudspeaker or from a nun or lay teacher in the classroom, get up and follow a nun or teacher, cover with a jacket if you had one, get to shelter in the school basement pr if no time then in the classroom, get under a table or desk, and then pray. Supposedly we would survive a nuclear bomb blast by doing that.
What a memory was triggered by that unexpected blaringly loud warning noise yesterday. I have to wonder, if they just started doing it now (and as I said, it was the firsf time I have heard it here in six years) why now!
Anyway, my routine in the event of a real air raid today would be a bit different. If not there already, I would head home, don protective gear, grab defensive gear, grab water & a bit of food and meds (everything in a go box) and find below ground shelter. As I said, I grew up during the worst part of the Cold War and besides that, come Hell, high water or the Zombie Apoalypse, I want to live too see many more days & ights.
All the best,
Glenn B
2 comments:
I can see how that would be unnerving. Duck and cover!
I grew up on the perimeter of Pantex Plant. We knew we were screwed if the SHTF.
A friend at the local dog park, told me today that the siren has been going off every Wednesday at noon for years. Amazed, I never heard it before but am rarely, if ever, at that dog park near noon. More likely just cooking breakfast in my apartment. Wake up time in retirement is grand!
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