World War II Recreation Center

World War II Recreation Center
"The Rec"
Wickham Avenue between 28th and 30th Streets,
Newport News, VA 23607

The Newsletter this week (06/24/04) sure brought some great laughs and fond memories.
When I read about the Naked Boys of NNHS, it jarred the gray matter to recall another strange name.

It was a Softball team which played in the Newport News Recreation League.
Such memorable athletes as Elmo Stephenson (Attorney) and Rip Collins ('3?) (Attorney)
and Probation and Parole Officer Paul Burroughs were on this Adult team.
Marvin Mitchell and Mickey Marcella were also on this team, along with many others who were still good athletes.
Their team name was "The Bankwalkers".

As the Adult Recreation Director, I was putting together a schedule for the season as well as the "Grapefruit League" games.
Most of the team names had to do with their corporate sponsors, like "Stony" Glass Engineers.
When I came across the name "The Bankwalkers" I checked with my co-workers, Ernie Shaffer ( '35) and Jesse Kersey ('58),
to determine who these guys were and how they came up with such an unusual name.
Both of these guys knew, but they set me up.

They told me to ask Harry Knight, who was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Newport News.
Harry referred me to Paul Burroughs for an answer, claiming he had no idea how they derived at this name.
Again, I was being set up.

You have no idea how Ernie Shaffer kept us in stitches with his wonderful sense of humor.
You never knew if he was serious or not, when he gave you his "Poker Face" and shrugged his shoulders.
He was usually hiding a grin and suppressing a laugh. Never a dull moment in that place with Ernie on duty.

When I approached Paul on his next visit to "The Rec", as we all called this center,
he gave me his usual warm smile, slowly took off his straw hat, and grinned.

Making reference to the U.S. Constitution, Paul told me that quite contrary to that document, all men were not created equal.

He then proceed to explain that when the guys on the team were young boys, they would go "Skinny Dippin" in Salter's Creek.
Those fellas who were bashful would dive in immediately.
Those who were not created equal were inclined to walk along the bank of the creek,
proud to display their manliness, hence the name "The Bankwalkers".

These guys were the original "Naked Boys of NNHS"!

- Joe Madagan('57) of FL - 06/24/04
Thanks, Joe, for this hysterical story!

He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way
He had a boogie style that no one else could play
He was the top man at his craft
But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft
He's in the army now, blowing reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam
It really brought him down because he could not jam
The captain seemed to understand
Because the next day the cap' went out and drafted a band
And now the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

A-toot, a-toot, a-toot-diddelyada-toot
He blows it eight-to-the-bar, in boogie rhythm
He can't blow a note unless the bass and guitar is playing with him
He makes the company jump when he plays reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

He was our boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B
And when he plays boogie woogie bugle he was buzy as a "bzzz" bee
And when he plays he makes the company jump eight-to-the-bar
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

Toot-toot-toot, toot-diddelyada, toot-diddelyada
Toot, toot, he blows it eight-to-the-bar
He can't blow a note if the bass and guitar isn't with him
And the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

He puts the boys asleep with boogie every night
And wakes 'em up the same way in the early bright
They clap their hands and stomp their feet
Because they know how he plays when someone gives him a beat
He really breaks it up when he plays reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da da
Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da da
Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da da
Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da
And the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B!