One day our family hotel received a terse telephone call from the Cairns Inspector of Police to let us know that the US Navy was considering commandeering the hotel for a Rest and Recreation Centre. A small group was to arrive late morning the following Thursday, and if selected we would have to vacate the premises in twenty-four hours, and Sergeant Mick would be on hand to enforce the order. Promptly on time at the appointed day, two Navy vehicles pulled up outside the hotel and two teenage naval aviators came through the swing doors, but stood apart, having nothing…
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