The White Falcon - 23.11.2001, Side 4

Fil-AM club unites community,
boogies back several generations
CMDCM James S. Klinefelter and Ellen Rosento (above) won the 70s
dress contest. Other category winners were MAI Jeffrey Abubo and
Katherine Rose Jonsson in the 50s dress and EA1 George Juaneza and
Sheri Lair in 60s dress. Most items were pulled from back closet spaces.
Story and photo by JOl Linda Pepka
Fish nets, hip huggers, mini skirts, rolled
up pant cuffs and T-shirt sleeves, along with
white socks and penny loafers mimicked
scenes from a sock-hop or disco at NAS
Keflavik Saturday night.
Members and guests of the Keflavik
Filipino-American Association met at the
Community Center and danced to disco,
swing, Rock ‘n Roll and Tango - to name a
few, as they sported duds from the 50s, 60s
and 70s.
The Fil-AM November event brought the
Keflavik community together for a night of
nostalgia that was felt by the Baby Boomer
generation and experienced first hand by the
post-bicentennial age group.
Fil-AM Association Master at Arms, MAI
Jeffrey Abubo remembered a time when the
popular 50s and 60s fashions were not much
different from today’s styles.
“When I was growing up in the Philippines
during the 1960s, I can remember wearing
baggy pants and white T-shirts,” said Abubo.
“Today the kids are still wearing baggy jeans
and pants. The only difference is that we did-
n’t trip over ours.”
With 14 years of service in the military
and accepting that fashion had not changed
much, Abubo said there are major differ-
ences between yesteryear and today’s youths.
“There was a time when Asian-Pacific
Islanders consid-
ered it an honor to
join the United
States Navy. We
enlisted to improve
ourselves and to
achieve a better way
of life,” said Abubo.
“I went through a
mandatory pre-boot
camp before I
enlisted in
November, 1987
and left the
Philippines with a
small bag and 20
dollars. Those of us
from the Philippine
Islands joined
because we loved the
Navy and everything
that it stood for.”
Hoop skirts, leather jackets and oxfords
were also popular in the 50s and 10-year-old
Jerrica Lair said her friends were impressed
when she wore a poodle skirt to a Halloween
costume party.
“I thought it was cool when my mom made
me a poodle skirt,” said Lair. “I wish that
style would come back so I could wear it to
school every day.” She added that she would-
n’t mind wearing fashions from her parent’s
generation.
CMDCM James S. Klinefelter, master of
ceremony and club advisor, spoke to an audi-
ence of nearly 150 and highlighted events
from the 1950s.
“The 50s were called the transition decade
because America was still recovering from
World War II,” said Klinefelter. “Some high-
lights included the 1955 opening of Disney
Land and Rocky Marciano retiring in 1956
See Fil-AM on page 12
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Marines assist with
helping hands
Marines from the NAS Keflavik Marine Security Force Company pro-
vided another form of force protection for students at A.T. Mahan
Elementary School. Due to high winds, Marines helped the smaller chil-
dren on and off the buses to make sure they weren’t knocked over by high
winds on Nov. 16. “We want to help make sure the children arrive and
leave school safely,” said Co. 1st Sgt. Stanley Robinson, NAS Keflavik
Marine Force Security Company. The Marines have done this for sever-
al years as one of their contributions to the Community Outreach
Program. The program encourages commands to allow military mem-
bers the opportunity to give back to the community. The Marines will
continue to assist elementary school students during days with high
winds at the request of school officials. (Photo by JOl Stephen Slteedy)
Page 4
The White Falcon
November 23, 2001