Branch Clinic Naval Air Station Sigonella

When we arrived in Sicily we had a lot to learn. We could speak no Italian (and still can't, except maybe ciao), and we were surprised at how many of the Italians could speak at least a little English. The Sicilians seemed to like Americans and were very friendly with them. I once had a waiter in a restaurant tell me he'd been in a prisoner camp and the Americans liberated the camp. He said he owed a lot to the Americans.

Sigonella was considered a remote duty station. There was no high school there, and once your children were old enough for high school they were sent to Zaragosa, Spain. They would board there, and would come home for holidays and spring break. Almost every time they came home the plane they flew on had some sort of difficulty and they were either delayed coming to Sigonella or getting to Zaragosa.

As for anything to do with the medical needs of the people in Sigonella, this too was limited. At the time we were stationed there we had a branch clinic--it was actually a small dispensary.Minor things could be taken care of, and it did have a ward of about ten beds and one "quiet room" for anyone who could not be in with the typical patients. Women having babies were sent to Naval Hospital Naples. They could go downtown to a hospital in Catania, but then they were subject to Italian laws. Other, more serious illnesses or injuries were sent to Rhein Main, Germany. In fact, one of our friends was sent to Germany to have a kidney removed.

When we arrived in Sigonella the Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Commander Eckmeyer. He was a gruff sort of fellow when you first met him, and could be intimidating if you let him. One of his favorite commands was , "Petty Officer Mullikin, F&C." The first time I heard this I had no idea what he was trying to say. Of course I soon learned it meant "Front and Center" and that he wanted to talk to you, up close and personal. Mr. Eckmeyer's wife was from England, and I guess about two years after we arrived Mr. Eckmeyer retired. He and his wife were going to England to live, and were having a few difficulties--like their pets would have to be quarantined for six months before being allowed in England. These pictures below are a few of his retirement ceremony.

I think in this picture Mr. Eckmeyer is reviewing the troops one last time.

This is Chief Ciciora Leading Mr. Eckmeyer through the troops.

Mr. Eckmeyer was given a plaque commerating his time at Sigonella.

And of course there were speeches made. The man in the front is Chief Ciciora, and in the second row, first person is Glenn Hickman.

And I had to put this one in. The second sailor in the front row is none other than Petty Officer First Class Mullikin.