[Qcwa] Old MARS surplus stories.

[J. Craswell]

I'm not sure I should relate this story I don't want to get anyone into any
trouble but here goes - I was sent on a mission to pick up some MARS
property that was at a Silent Keys house.  We contacted the Widow (This was
long after he died) to inquire if the equipment might still be there.  She
said to come out and pick up anything that was "ours"  we arrived to find a
TON of surplus equipment.  She was interested in knowing where the "truck"
was that we were going to need to haul away everything.  Well...  We told
here there was a total of maybe 5  small items we were supposed to account
for.  We quickly found and packed them up.  The poor lady said "What in the
hell are you going to do about all this other crap?"  *Rooms full of stuff.
I had to laugh thinking about it now.  Our Chief-ette told her that as far
as we knew the rest was all personal property probably bought at the local
Surplus Store etc.  This lit up the XYL (I think now that was a mean thing
to suggest.  The OM probably told her it was all "free" MARS stuff or?  I
dunno)  Anyhow as we were leaving she insisted we double check to see if the
"Generator" was on our list.  I assured her it was not but said "Hey, if you
want to sell it I might be willing to buy it for my own use as long as it's
not ARMY / DOD property."  She swore it must be but that I could have it for
nothing.  We went outside to see this HUGE "thing" on a concreate pad.
Imagine half a backyard full of "thing"  I can't discribe it as I've never
seen anything like it before or sense but I was assured by the son that
during a power outage it not only powered everything in the house but it
also did all the neighbors as well.  How he got it there (Cargo Chopper???),
What paperwork shuffle he did to have it not show on our list I guess we
will never know.  All I can saw is Sheesh!  *No I didn't buy it.  How would
you even move it?

I have to agree with the comments about how insane it is to be bulldozing
old equipment..  Heck, we paid for this stuff with our Taxes once.  At least
lets try to get a few bucks for it or baring that give it away.  I can think
how my eyes would have lit up as a young guy to have a real O Scope.  Or a
radio working or not.  Just the parts alone would have been worth it.

73 de Jay W0VNE Ex:WB0VNE / AAV5TH (Minnesota)