Stanley Borgeson
Dublin Core
Title
Stanley Borgeson
Subject
Veteran
Description
An oral history interview with Easton resident Stanley Borgeson. Stanley discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War and growing up as a young child in Easton.
Creator
Borgeson, Stanley
Source
Publisher
300 Years, 300 Stories
Date
01/20/2022
Contributor
Almquist-Olsen, Priscilla
Rights
Creative Commons
Format
MPEG Video
Language
English
Type
Audio and Visual Recording
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Transcription
Priscilla Almquist-OIsen: Welcome Stanley Borgeson.
Stanley Borgeson: Thank you for having me here.
Almquist-Olsen: Okay, you were born and raised in Easton, is that correct?
Borgeson: Yes.
Almquist-Olsen: And how long did you serve in, and what’s-
Borgeson: I served in the US Navy from April 22, 1969 to July 20th, 1973 and
I served aboard the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier.
Almquist-Olsen: And you were stationed two tours of Vietnam, is that right?
Borgeson: Yes, and-
Almquist-Olsen: So tell me, what inspired you to go into the service?
Borgeson: I- just did… One day I just went in. I signed up. I had to wait ‘til I
was 18. I signed up prior to being 18 for the navy reserves and I didn’t get a call back so after I turned 18 I signed up for the regular navy and…
Almquist-Olsen: Did you have a lot of friends? Did they inspire you to do that?
Borgeson: Nope. I just decided to do it. I wanted to serve. So- And I - The furthest I went in New England was a little part of New Hampshire and the Northern part of Rhode Island. So before that: nowhere. The first time out of New England was boot camp. That was a real awakening experience.
Almquist-Olsen: But you survived.
Borgeson: SB: I survived. Actually I went in I dropped 45 lbs in 9 weeks in boot camp. So I went from a 34 waist to a 28.
Almquist-Olsen: Oh my goodness.
Borgeson: Worked out really good for me.
Almquist-Olsen: You are certainly trim and fit today. So tell me you must have- that was a very critical time in our history. The war in Vietnam was stagnating and it was dangerous and you had a lot of courage. Did that - Were you courageous or crazy back then?
Borgeson: Probably a little bit of both. I - I wasn’t afraid of what was going to happen. But, yeah I wanted to serve. My first 6 months on the ship I worked in the Chiefs’ Mess. Which everybody that goes aboard a ship does that. And then after that I went in to work in the Combat Information Center. And that’s where we control the aircraft that was taking off and landing. We had communications all over the world. And one of my general quarter stations was right up on the bridge with the captains.
Almquist-Olsen: Wow.
Borgeson: To add some context.
Almquist-Olsen: You were - you were pretty important and essential to the running of that aircraft carrier?
Borgeson: I felt - Everybody I felt was, you know, pretty essential.
Almquist-Olsen: Yeah, terrific. What was it like when you came back to Easton?
Borgeson: Nothing changed.
Almquist-Olsen: What did you face? Did you start looking for employment or-?
Borgeson: Well, actually I worked as an engineer prior to going into the service. You know I graduated in July and it wasn’t until the following April that I went into the service. And when I came back they had a new job for me but I didn’t really want to sit at a desk all the time, so I applied at BPM and I also applied for another company. All three of them called me back and wanted to hire me and so I ended up doing 38 years total with BPM and later Shaws.
Almquist-Olsen: And what does BPM stand for?
Borgeson: Brockton Public Market.
Almquist-Olsen: Oh really? Oh the BPM, yes. I remember going there with my mother as a little girl. They had so many Swedish items, food items there.
Borgeson: Oh, they did.
Almquist-Olsen: Mhmm.
Borgeson: John Keach from Easton hired me.
Almquist-Olsen: Really? Oh, what do you know? Okay, so, and you’re retired now?
Borgeson: Yes, I’m retired.
Almquist-Olsen: And I hear you just had a fourth grandchild?
Borgeson: Yes.
Almquist-Olsen: Wonderful, congratulations. And what was the first thing that you wanted to do when you - after you got a job and so forth? Did you get involved with the American Legion in town?
Borgeson: No actually, I joined Disabled Veterans years - years ago. And then when I lived in Wareham for 19 years and I joined the Legion when I was down there. I ended up in Hyannis at their post. And then in 2000 my father passed away so we moved back up here to Easton and I went over and talked to John Melin who was the adjutant and he asked if I could help out with his duties and I said sure and I’ve been doing that ever since for 21 years now.
Almquist-Olsen: So, what do you know? You started out on my street, Seaver Street.
Borgeson: Sure did, 9 Seaver Street.
Almquist-Olsen: Yeah you were my neighbors. And has Easton been a very supportive place for veterans do you believe?
Borgeson: I think very supportive.
Almquist-Olsen: In what ways?
Borgeson: The- you know the gatherings for the parades and all of the memorials we’ve done. And just the way people are in town. It’s always been a friendly town as far as I am concerned.
Almquist-Olsen: And what are some of the things you remember from your childhood that stand out?
Borgeson: Having a paper route for five years and-
Almquist-Olsen: Really?
Borgeson: Oh yeah, and sledding down by Fred’s Pond downhill there- uh huh- other than that just going around-
Almquist-Olsen: Did you go skating around at Fred’s Pond?
Borgeson: Yes - I did that every winter
Almquist-Olsen: Every winter, yeah so I probably saw you there, although I think you’re a little bit younger than I am.
Borgeson: Well maybe a day or so.
Almquist-Olsen: So what was it like to be growing up in Easton? What do you think was the most special parts of your childhood?
Borgeson: Well I got attached to my neighbor across the street, Walter Baldwin. He used to do the- he was retired, he was in his 80s. He used to do the caretaking for the Machinist Bank, mowing the lawns and stuff. And that’s helped me out quite a bit because I used to help him do that as a kid, you know like 9-10 years old. Then when I turned 10 that’s when I got my paper route and I still worked with Mr. Baldwin.
Almquist-Olsen: And what about your friends you made, your buddies at school?
Borgeson: I didn’t really hang around a lot of people there at school. Just a homebody I guess.
Almquist-Olsen: Okay and so, what are you most grateful for either for your military service you know what it taught you or growing up in Easton?
Borgeson: Well, growing up in Easton was a nice hometown atmosphere so I’m very happy with that. And as I said Mr. Baldwin helped me with my work ethic.
Almquist-Olsen: And that carried you through in the service?
Borgeson: Sure did.
Almquist-Olsen: What was the best part of being in the service?
Borgeson Travels. We went to the Philippines multiple times. We went to Japan multiple times. And then our first cruise, the end of the cruise was in June we went down to Australia. The captain of the ship was, his wife was from Australia. So he managed to get it so we could go down there and we spent 5 days in Australia. And then we came back and when we came back to San Francisco the first of July. The quickest route from Australia was over the top of the continent - you know the earth. So we left Australia in beach weather and came over in the winter up in the you know the Arctic and then back down to San Francisco where it was hot again.
Almquist-Olsen: Wow. So you really got to see a part of the world and you have good memories from that?
Borgeson: Yes.
Almquist-Olsen: And how did the work in the military help you with your job at BPM?
Borgeson: It - It didn’t I just had you know I tried as hard as I could with everything I did in the service and as I did with BPM too.
Almquist-Olsen: So excellence was one of your important values?
Borgeson: In that - I probably have OCD. Everything has to be set up perfect. Even now when I’m shopping in the store I’ll straighten the aisles out a little bit when walking down them.
Almquist-Olsen: Isn’t that funny?
Borgeson: Just a part of me.
Almquist-Olsen: Sure it is. Well, welcome to Easton after being away for 19 years.
Borgeson: I’ve been up here now - this is my 22nd year again.
Almquist-Olsen: I know. It’s wonderful. You have a t-shirt on and it says “Being a veteran is an honor, being a grandpa is priceless”. Thank you, Stanley Borgeson for sharing your military life, your Easton life, and also your grandparent life.
Borgeson: Oh, thank you.
Almquist-Olsen: Thank you for joining us. All the best.
Borgeson: Thank you very much.
Stanley Borgeson: Thank you for having me here.
Almquist-Olsen: Okay, you were born and raised in Easton, is that correct?
Borgeson: Yes.
Almquist-Olsen: And how long did you serve in, and what’s-
Borgeson: I served in the US Navy from April 22, 1969 to July 20th, 1973 and
I served aboard the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier.
Almquist-Olsen: And you were stationed two tours of Vietnam, is that right?
Borgeson: Yes, and-
Almquist-Olsen: So tell me, what inspired you to go into the service?
Borgeson: I- just did… One day I just went in. I signed up. I had to wait ‘til I
was 18. I signed up prior to being 18 for the navy reserves and I didn’t get a call back so after I turned 18 I signed up for the regular navy and…
Almquist-Olsen: Did you have a lot of friends? Did they inspire you to do that?
Borgeson: Nope. I just decided to do it. I wanted to serve. So- And I - The furthest I went in New England was a little part of New Hampshire and the Northern part of Rhode Island. So before that: nowhere. The first time out of New England was boot camp. That was a real awakening experience.
Almquist-Olsen: But you survived.
Borgeson: SB: I survived. Actually I went in I dropped 45 lbs in 9 weeks in boot camp. So I went from a 34 waist to a 28.
Almquist-Olsen: Oh my goodness.
Borgeson: Worked out really good for me.
Almquist-Olsen: You are certainly trim and fit today. So tell me you must have- that was a very critical time in our history. The war in Vietnam was stagnating and it was dangerous and you had a lot of courage. Did that - Were you courageous or crazy back then?
Borgeson: Probably a little bit of both. I - I wasn’t afraid of what was going to happen. But, yeah I wanted to serve. My first 6 months on the ship I worked in the Chiefs’ Mess. Which everybody that goes aboard a ship does that. And then after that I went in to work in the Combat Information Center. And that’s where we control the aircraft that was taking off and landing. We had communications all over the world. And one of my general quarter stations was right up on the bridge with the captains.
Almquist-Olsen: Wow.
Borgeson: To add some context.
Almquist-Olsen: You were - you were pretty important and essential to the running of that aircraft carrier?
Borgeson: I felt - Everybody I felt was, you know, pretty essential.
Almquist-Olsen: Yeah, terrific. What was it like when you came back to Easton?
Borgeson: Nothing changed.
Almquist-Olsen: What did you face? Did you start looking for employment or-?
Borgeson: Well, actually I worked as an engineer prior to going into the service. You know I graduated in July and it wasn’t until the following April that I went into the service. And when I came back they had a new job for me but I didn’t really want to sit at a desk all the time, so I applied at BPM and I also applied for another company. All three of them called me back and wanted to hire me and so I ended up doing 38 years total with BPM and later Shaws.
Almquist-Olsen: And what does BPM stand for?
Borgeson: Brockton Public Market.
Almquist-Olsen: Oh really? Oh the BPM, yes. I remember going there with my mother as a little girl. They had so many Swedish items, food items there.
Borgeson: Oh, they did.
Almquist-Olsen: Mhmm.
Borgeson: John Keach from Easton hired me.
Almquist-Olsen: Really? Oh, what do you know? Okay, so, and you’re retired now?
Borgeson: Yes, I’m retired.
Almquist-Olsen: And I hear you just had a fourth grandchild?
Borgeson: Yes.
Almquist-Olsen: Wonderful, congratulations. And what was the first thing that you wanted to do when you - after you got a job and so forth? Did you get involved with the American Legion in town?
Borgeson: No actually, I joined Disabled Veterans years - years ago. And then when I lived in Wareham for 19 years and I joined the Legion when I was down there. I ended up in Hyannis at their post. And then in 2000 my father passed away so we moved back up here to Easton and I went over and talked to John Melin who was the adjutant and he asked if I could help out with his duties and I said sure and I’ve been doing that ever since for 21 years now.
Almquist-Olsen: So, what do you know? You started out on my street, Seaver Street.
Borgeson: Sure did, 9 Seaver Street.
Almquist-Olsen: Yeah you were my neighbors. And has Easton been a very supportive place for veterans do you believe?
Borgeson: I think very supportive.
Almquist-Olsen: In what ways?
Borgeson: The- you know the gatherings for the parades and all of the memorials we’ve done. And just the way people are in town. It’s always been a friendly town as far as I am concerned.
Almquist-Olsen: And what are some of the things you remember from your childhood that stand out?
Borgeson: Having a paper route for five years and-
Almquist-Olsen: Really?
Borgeson: Oh yeah, and sledding down by Fred’s Pond downhill there- uh huh- other than that just going around-
Almquist-Olsen: Did you go skating around at Fred’s Pond?
Borgeson: Yes - I did that every winter
Almquist-Olsen: Every winter, yeah so I probably saw you there, although I think you’re a little bit younger than I am.
Borgeson: Well maybe a day or so.
Almquist-Olsen: So what was it like to be growing up in Easton? What do you think was the most special parts of your childhood?
Borgeson: Well I got attached to my neighbor across the street, Walter Baldwin. He used to do the- he was retired, he was in his 80s. He used to do the caretaking for the Machinist Bank, mowing the lawns and stuff. And that’s helped me out quite a bit because I used to help him do that as a kid, you know like 9-10 years old. Then when I turned 10 that’s when I got my paper route and I still worked with Mr. Baldwin.
Almquist-Olsen: And what about your friends you made, your buddies at school?
Borgeson: I didn’t really hang around a lot of people there at school. Just a homebody I guess.
Almquist-Olsen: Okay and so, what are you most grateful for either for your military service you know what it taught you or growing up in Easton?
Borgeson: Well, growing up in Easton was a nice hometown atmosphere so I’m very happy with that. And as I said Mr. Baldwin helped me with my work ethic.
Almquist-Olsen: And that carried you through in the service?
Borgeson: Sure did.
Almquist-Olsen: What was the best part of being in the service?
Borgeson Travels. We went to the Philippines multiple times. We went to Japan multiple times. And then our first cruise, the end of the cruise was in June we went down to Australia. The captain of the ship was, his wife was from Australia. So he managed to get it so we could go down there and we spent 5 days in Australia. And then we came back and when we came back to San Francisco the first of July. The quickest route from Australia was over the top of the continent - you know the earth. So we left Australia in beach weather and came over in the winter up in the you know the Arctic and then back down to San Francisco where it was hot again.
Almquist-Olsen: Wow. So you really got to see a part of the world and you have good memories from that?
Borgeson: Yes.
Almquist-Olsen: And how did the work in the military help you with your job at BPM?
Borgeson: It - It didn’t I just had you know I tried as hard as I could with everything I did in the service and as I did with BPM too.
Almquist-Olsen: So excellence was one of your important values?
Borgeson: In that - I probably have OCD. Everything has to be set up perfect. Even now when I’m shopping in the store I’ll straighten the aisles out a little bit when walking down them.
Almquist-Olsen: Isn’t that funny?
Borgeson: Just a part of me.
Almquist-Olsen: Sure it is. Well, welcome to Easton after being away for 19 years.
Borgeson: I’ve been up here now - this is my 22nd year again.
Almquist-Olsen: I know. It’s wonderful. You have a t-shirt on and it says “Being a veteran is an honor, being a grandpa is priceless”. Thank you, Stanley Borgeson for sharing your military life, your Easton life, and also your grandparent life.
Borgeson: Oh, thank you.
Almquist-Olsen: Thank you for joining us. All the best.
Borgeson: Thank you very much.
Interviewer
Almquist-Olsen, Priscilla
Interviewee
Borgeson, Stanley
Citation
Borgeson, Stanley, “Stanley Borgeson,” 300 Years, 300 Stories, accessed May 10, 2024, https://300years300stories.omeka.net/items/show/5.