The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Hi Jim,
I’m a transplanted Benician, but I still love the people I knew there and the times I had there.
Mom sent me information on your project and I thought I would send some memories along to share.
In a few more years I’ll be retired from the United States Marine Corps. Life in the Corps has been good to me and for me. I’ve bounced from place-to-place and will retire as Gunnery Sergeant. I’ve saved a lot of money because I didn’t have anyone to spend it on and I haven’t had a lot of needs.
I never married. The only girl I ever wanted to marry lives in Benicia with her husband.
I remember playing football at Drolette Stadium and graduating on that field. The girl I loved from afar in my high school days was a cheerleader. We dated twice, but I could see she didn’t have the feelings for me then that I had for her. That’s how some things work out. She married one of my classmates and from all I know they are happy. That’s fine with me.
We didn’t do very well in football, but the time being with the guys was good. I learned some about leadership during those seasons. What I learned was there are positives and negatives in leadership. In the Corps I learned more about following and much more about leading.
I remember the cheering at the assemblies when each class tried to beat the other classes in the strength of their yelling.
Prom night my senior year was far from being the best experience I had in my life. So many people put on acts I thought I must have been watching a movie. My date and I had a good time. At least I think we did. She told me we did and I believed her.
There were some parties which were nice social connections and there were some where the theme was alcohol and what went with it. I didn’t stay at those parties once I understood the theme.
I’ve been gone so long from Benicia I’m sure it isn’t what I remember it to be. It was a good place to start life and I hope it still is.
The high school is probably like many other high schools now. There must still be some of the same teachers there I had. Some were very good, some OK, and some should have had a different profession.
All of it is part of the memories.
I guess I’ve been rambling here. I do have good memories of my years in Benicia. From what I’ve seen of the world things in my youth could have been a lot worse and has been for many others. I was lucky to have so many of my early years in Benicia.
Semper Fi
Gunny

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love,” “The Mansion Stories,” “Chief Salt,” and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.”
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

Sharing is caring!