by Robert M.
It was 1960,
and the end of my senior year at West High School in Denver. I was just hired
in the mailroom at Martin Marietta Company’s Waterton Plant, only to find my
route is into the test stands in the canyon.
I'm in awe. I
had never seen so many suits and ties, having come out of the west side of
Denver and at my first real job.
On my second
mail stop at test stand #2, as I was delivering mail, red lights and claxons
went off suddenly. A speaker announced a countdown for test firing of the Titan
II launch missile had started. We were all led into the test bunkers and one of
the scientists led me to a viewing slit in the bunker. I heard, “… five, four, three, two, one. Fire!”
My heart jumped at the power and steam and thrust and the bunker vibrating with
the noise. All I can say is what a way to experience a day on the job in the
mailroom.
