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Show HILL TOP TIMES m I Friday, April 25, 1986 Depufiy (soinmipTOllleir Ogden Ieiues federal service That experience began in J apan after graduating By Ernie Shannon from Ogden High School in 1946. "There were three of us and we decided we'd join the Army. One ALC Public Affairs Office Lee Florence has a lot on his mind these days, but maybe paramount is his effort to get a grandson. You see, he's had nine granddaughters in a row and not a single grandson. He is so desperate, he's decided, to award the son or daughter with the first grandson either $100 or $200...he hasn't decided which yet. . caught polio and had to remain behind," Mr. Florence explained. "In fact, while we were embarking on a great adventure, he was in an iron lung here. That affects you." After a year and a half in Japan, Mr. Florence returned to pursue an education, only to interrupt r it with a mission for his church in the state of Oregon. Following the mission, he resumed his schooling, later graduating from Weber State College in 1952 with a degree in cost accounting. "My first job was at the Defense Depot Ogden, earning, would you believe, 96 cents an hour," Mr. Florence said. "Then came the big money! I transferred to Hill AFB where I worked as a cost clerk for a little more than $2,100 a year. I was rich!" he exclaimed. two-yea- For Mr. Florence, deputy comptroller, Ogden Air Logistics Center, family matters will receive more of his time and attention now that retirement is in the offing. He's scheduled to leave federal service April 30. "It's been a real experience," he said. "I've met some interesting people people I'll remember as long as I live." M YaDnniP ILdDwdl dDmug's Mlfe Es IFmil M HJjps sumdl 3C (DwmSoo, After graduation from Weber State, he thought the West Coast might be the place for him. The California Packing Corporation of San Francisco hired him as a cost accountant, a job he "loved and from which I became more enthused about cost accounting." T I However , he didn't like I (U S Air Force Pnolo) the big city and in two years he was back at the Lee Florence base in the Comptroller's office...to stay. During the years, the Ogdenite has had his share of excitement. The job he calls his favorite next to his current duties was a post with the 2750th Wing. "Our job was to keep the troops in Vietnam supplied with certain munitions," Mr. Florence said. "I remember one experience where the Seventh Air Force phoned us with a rush order for teflon powder. Here I was, an accountant, lining up teflon powder, an airplane and other details for a shipment to Vietnam. I nearly went crazy, but loved every minute of it." That experience highlights the work he did for the 2750th for a period of three years, years he calls a "very special time" in his career. fV Air-munitio- ns Called 'feather merchants' Another assignment that Mr. Florence looks back upon with a twinkle, was training he received at Air Command and Staff College. "I was one of seven civilians in a class of 600. They called us 'feather merchants,' but we had the time of our lives," he said. "I never worked so hard, but I loved it." Mr. Florence also earned a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University while attending the Air Command and Staff College. The accounting field has changed in Mr. Florence's 30 years, but not as much as you might think. For many years, not much changed and accounting procedures remained virtually untouched; that is, until the onset of the computer age. "I used to be somewhat ashamed of the accounting field because many of our practices went unchanged for years.. But when the computer appeared, things changed quickly," he said. For him and many others like him, the computer took some getting used to. "The younger people took right to them," he said. "Us older folk were a little apprehensive. We had to be told 'You will take a computer.' " Leaves with mixed emotions When he speaks of leaving the base and federal service, there are mixed emotions. "There are no regrets whatsoever about my decision to leave. I need to get out and meet people and do something different," he commented. "In fact, I'm very excited about the future, and why not? I'm still young." "Nevertheless," he said, "Til miss the base and the many people here who have become like family to me." As he talked, he reminisced about some of the personalities he called a "pleasure to have known." "Like General Hobson, for instance. One day when the golf course was being built, I went out there to volunteer some work on the course and who did I see out there in shorts, on his knees working, but the general," he said. "That's just the way he . was." take the first step, take Step One! Lakeview Hospital's confidential program can help both of you. Lakeview Call 299-STE- P Why is it most people think only have the problems? abusers drug If you love a drug abuser you know better, don't you? , The abuser escapes into drugs. Where do you run? Sure, the drugprescription abuser needs help. But, then again, so do you. So Substance Treatment and Education rzr Program. Step One For your own sake, take Step One! It's one step closer to being happy again. Lakeview Hospital's Substance Treatment and Education Program. (Damn Dial WM) As the interview comes to an end, there's still that one concern for the deputy comptroller: what to do about getting a grandson in the family. Little girls are nice. But what's a grandpa to do with no grandsons? u.s.skssoq;:bs j wacoae to First Southern Baptist Church 546 So. 800 E. Clearfield Pastor Barrett M. Lampp 825-027- 7 299-ST- EP Sunday School Worship Service SERVING 9:45 A.M. 10:55 A.M. & 6:30 MILITARY FAMILIES P.M FOR OVER n 88 YRS. jf)f |