From the files of Frank Clyburn Clyburn Family News Vol. 25, December, 2006

I reported on time and was bussed from San Francisco to Oakland, CA to catch the Santa Fe train for the trip to Fort Des Moines, IA for Basic Training along with some other recruits.

I'll never forget that five days and four nights on that dirty, hot, train. I ran out of meal tickets by the time I arrived in Kansas City and then had to pay for my own lunch on the Super Train (the Rocket) from there to Des Moines. Meal tickets were $1 for each meal.

We were a pretty crummy looking bunch by the time we got to Des Moines.

We were met at the Des Moines Depot by Army trucks and had our first ride in those lovely vehicles from there to the Post. I believe that I'll never forget our first army meal - half cooked baked beans! The is all they had left that night and the is what we had for our dinner. We were assigned bunks and told to make them. Then we hade all the bunks in that big building. Also to make them right as there would be inspection the next morning.

I was assigned to Co. 16, Regt. 3 at Boom Town on July 5, 1943. There we learned how to march, do K.P. and many other things. I'll never forget the field kitchen on a rainy day.

August 3, 1943 about 5000 of us gathered, sat on the grass and listened to Col. Hobby speak to us. The next morning we all marched to the parade ground and were sworn into the WAC. That is one of my fondest memories.

August 19 found us leaving Ft. Des Moines and I was on my way to Hdq. 3rd Air Force in Tampa, Florida. I arrived in Tampa on August 22, 1943 and there I stayed until I was discharged on November 16, 1945. My years in Tampa were very interesting and educational. I made many friends and still keep in touch with many of them.

July 1, 1978 a group of 3rd Air Force WACS met in Tampa for four days and we had a wonderful reunion. I have many memories of my years in Tampa. Most of them good. I was made a PFC in Oct. 1943, Corporal in Feb, 1944 and Sargent in Oct. 1945. My office, Eng. Section, had a way of filling positions with some one back from overseas instead of with local people. So the Sgt. Stripes took a long time.

My Husband, Ernest E. McBain, was in the Navy SeaBees and he visited Tampa on two leaves. He was out one month before I received my discharge at Camp Beale, CA. He passed away on October 15, 1973. I have one daughter, two grandchildren, and I great granddaughter. I am retired from the State of California. I worked for the Department of Public Works, Div. Of Highways for nineteen years.

–Narcy Fay (Clyburn) McBain.

Folks: The rest of this issue of the Clyburn Family News is presented as an exhibit of the various family members who have web sites and are in business trying to sell items or have sites that are attempting to help people. Look at them and see if you wish to purchase anything.

I think that it would be very nice to purchase from a relative, even tho distant. Give these folks a chance. You may be happy you did. I purchased an item from a distant Parks cousin and am completely satisfied! The item is simply beautiful...much more so than the website shows. I wish to purchase more from this cousin as gifts.

Also, one cousin is renting cabins in Alaska for the summer. She and her husband are in the process of building an even bigger and more elaborately beautiful one. If you would like to take a trip to the North country, you might give her a call. That country is simply beautiful and I'm certain you'd like to vacation there.\

Another cousin is now selling Avon on her new web site. You may like to try her products or purchase them as gifts.

One cousin is selling fishing items that he invented and designed. If you are a fisherman or sportsman or somebody in your family is, you may wish to purchase one of these special items for yourself or them.

One cousin creates fantastic buttons and shows and sells them. Look at her site.....you may wish to purchase these for yourself or as gifts. These are guaranteed to become family collector items! Click here to go to her website:

One cousin has a site that is a gathering place and informational place for a childrens' disease. She knows what she is talking about as she has a child with that disease. You may wish to look at this site and or share knowledge with her or others there.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you have a very Christian Christmas. --Your Cousin Frank Clyburn. PS for the rest of this newsletter click here.

Angela Clyburn has a new book titled The Clyburns of Carolina available now on CD only. Contact her at carolinaclyburn@hotmail.com to discuss details and arrange delivery of yours now.