Richard LaGana
1955-56
 

My name is Richard LaGana and I was at Indian Mountain (then known as Utopia) Top Camp from 1955-56.  Our buildings were pre fabricated and in the winter we had to get out in the middle of the night (several times) to secure a roof that the wind had torn loose.  We lost our water most of that winter, back then our water was brought up from bottom camp in 600 gallon barrels, on a sled towed behind a D8 Cat.  We were allowed to go unshaven several weeks at a time.  We had one sink full of water daily to wash and brush our teeth, some of the brave ones also shaved.  We were able to take one trip to bottom camp for hot showers and shaves, that in its self was an adventure as we all huddled on a sled behind the Cat, it was about a 6 or 7 hour trip, there were shelters set up along the way in case it got too cold. While there an other Airman and myself found a boxed up AFRES radio station, turntables and all.  We got permission to set up and broadcast 24/7.