ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
- "This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end"
-The Doors, "The End"
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An abandoned US military base… this is what happened to taxpayer $$ collected from the greatest generation and the baby boomers…
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Over the years, Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, or Roosey (pronounced "Rosy") as it was frequently called, was home to thousands of military personnel and their dependents. The base was first commissioned as a U.S. Naval Operations Base in 1943. At one point it had become one of the largest naval facilities in the world, encompassing more than 100 miles of paved interior roads over 8,650 acres. In March 2004, The U.S. Department of the Navy formally ceased military operations and closed the now former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. 18 years later this is what it looks like… a dystopian world…
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It’s as if someone just turned off the lights, closed the doors, and walked away… it will be the closest you will come to scenes from Logan’s Run or to The Walking Dead…hopefully. You’ll feel like you’re a travel survivor in search of safety and security, following a zombie apocalypse… and you’ll soon discover that overwhelming inner fear of the space around you and the unknown of what could be out there…or in there.
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The only redeeming aspect about this was that the roads were open to cyclists, it’s a great thread work of cycling trails!… and we are seeing the beginnings of Eco-tourism on some of the property. I met the president of a group who is repurposing some of the military Barricks for just that.
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For my international DoD friends around the globe, this may bring back some memories of base life overseas… it definitely reminded me of times I visited you…I loved going to the commissary to shop.
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*Note- The buildings we saw included the barracks, hotel, gas station, commissary, chapel, infirmary, movie theater, and bowling alley - I couldn’t believe there’s still a bowling ball still sitting there. Lol
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day 4
.
Don’t wait,
Time flies…
.
#abandoned
#abandonedplaces
#abandonedbuilding
#military
#ocean
#Latitude
#sunset
#travel
#travelphotography
#caribbean
#puertorico
#sanjuan
#iamthesherpa
I was born in Roosevelt Roads Naval Station Hospital and raised inside this base. Couldn't hold it together any longer and burst into tears till bawling as I watched this because all I could see & hear is the voices and faces from memory lane of my life inside that naval base in every single angle recorded in this video. So many memories unlocked at this very moment, I feel I can't even breathe. 💔
Thank you for sharing 🙏
My first daughter was born there. I also cried.
It’s such a shame they didn’t keep this base open…I remember when it was in operaation as well as Ramey Field.
I was not born on the base, but was born fairly close, in Fajardo, but I grew right next to the base, I mean just a few hundred feet away from the fence in Parcelas Aguas Claras in Ceiba. I remember growing up there in the 70's and watching the fighter jets taking off during their 'maniobras' (maneuvers). I knew some of the names of the jets, like the Phanthom F-4, the Tomcat F-14, the Intruder, the Corsair, the older Skyhawk, and the big C-5 Galaxy cargo plane!
I share your sentiments. I was waiting for my transfer to Rosy Roads from Norfolk in Virginia but fate wouldn't have it...got to visit once after my enlistment and fell in love IT instantly...sad to see it her in deteriorating...
Really tears at your heart to see a base you lived and served on for years now abandoned in place.....dead and being "reclaimed" by nature. Almost like a part of my soul ripped from me. It was a paradise I hated to leave
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
I called Roosevelt Roads home for almost 6 years while stationed there. Why did Puerto Rico not do anything with the land? Why let such a beautiful place go to waste? Roosevelt Roads was such an amazing and wonderful place to live. I have fond memories of the base, Ceiba and Puerto Rico.
Thanks for sharing.
There are folks repurposing some of the property. While I was visiting, I met a group that was starting ecotourism on some of the land. They were converting some of the barracks buildings into a hotel type accommodations.
@@rafikb08 Thank you so much for the update and reply :) That said, It's never too late to do the right thing. When the Navy left the island, the base was in pristine shape. They repaved most of the roads, refurbished housing, a new commissary, and the Navy Lodge was practically new as well. It was like Uncle Sam said... "Here you go PR, here's a brand new city" and what did PR do with it? Now it looks like an apocalypse city from the 1969 movie planet of the apes lol. I'm happy, that they are finally getting something done, but this should have happened from day one. Rebuilding a city will not be quick or cheap.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE RICAN GOVERMENT IS NO F##!!! GOOD. AND THE RICANS ARE LAZY.
Baseless, corrupt government - still no change.
I was in security department from November 1995. Left in December 1998. Loved the base and island. Seeing this is sad.
A monument to the incapacity of the political leaders of Puerto Rico!
Everything thats good in that island is going 2 waste,they don't even maintain the monuments over their.
We were there 1996-1999 when the "incident" happened and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson came down and stirred up trouble. They didn't realize that once they shut Vieques down, there was no need for Roosey Roads. All those civilian jobs - lost, all the revenue from military families spending money out in town - lost. The beautiful base - lost. Now the whole island suffers...
yeah, Clinton showed how little he cared about the future, just trolling for votes as usual and ignoring what the military was telling him. did vieques turn into the paradise that was promised? i'll bet a number of folks passed a lot of gov't bucks around and put them in the bank, PR is SO CORRUPT and the Clintons should probably be in Jail
So you think that preserving the base and all those jobs was more important
than stoping the cruel bombing of an island inhabited by human beings?
@@thegoldenratio-1.618 it's not about the base and the jobs, it's about supporting the ability of the military to defend our Country. imo it would be "cruel" to send Americans into a conflict without the ability to do the mission or survive the effort. too bad that idea seems to make the "not in my back yard" folks a bit selfish
@@cloudshe if you want to send your "boys" to practice war games do it in your own fucking country, that's why we kicked your fucking ass out of here, and you are still whining and crying, colonialism is a crime according to international law, the USA is commiting a crime in Puerto Rico and you proclaim you are the greatest country in world history
@@thegoldenratio-1.618 if your independence is such a great "fucking" idea, why don't your fellow PRs support it? sorry it hurts you so badly to be an American
I feel as if my heart was just ripped from my chest watching this. I was stationed at Roosy from Nov 1977 to Aug 1979. One of my jobs before I transferred to Surface Ops was at the Base Theater. I lived in Bundy 731 at first but moved out to Luquillo. Seeing the base looking like this is heart-breaking!
Thank you for sharing 🙏
Me and my family use to live in Puerto Rico 1999-2003 my dad was stationed there I really loved it there.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
I lived there from 1996-2000 so we possibly went to Roosevelt Roads Elementary together
You were a late comer, but better late than never!
@@jasminecarriker7047 I was in 5th grade in 1999.
I was stationed there 5/72-5/76 newly married, both of my beautiful children were born on base and my wife was a elementary teacher @ the school . Many found memories there @ 12 Lexington. So sad to see to see this. Genesis 3 19
BMC(SW) Ret
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
My mother may she rest in peace used to work the daycare center, I remember going in the naval base and it was like stepping into another country it was I always found it so beautiful so well kept..
And to see it like this is very sad I used to like going in there a lot.. things in Puerto Rico always change for the worst not for the best that's why I'm not there no more.
🌙🐺☀️🐺🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
WE ROCK!!!!!
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
What years did she work? I was a child and went to that daycare from 1996-2001
What years did she work there? My mom worked there also.
RR was before my time, but from my time at Buchanan in San Juan, I couldn’t imagine seeing the base where I grew up in in such a state.
Ramy, Roosevelt Roads, sabana seca… all we have left is Buchanan
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
I went TDY there in 1990 as an airman.It was in support of the Caribbean Tanker Task Force.It was the best TDY I was ever assigned to.
Thank you for sharing 🙏
I worked at the dental clinic from 73 to 74 and lived up on El Yunque. Roosy was a magical place to be stationed at a mere lad of 20. Now? Classic example of a bureaucratic nightmare. Just like the US is now. I chocked up when I saw this video.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Worked at the dental clinic from Aug. '66 to July '67. Have seen no pictures of the clinic and wonder if anything is left of it. What a shame it's come to this end. Thanks for the video, so sad to see!
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
@@PietriGuitars What are you on about, China can't own the former base and use it as a military station considering Puerto Rico is a US territory and it would be in the US interest not to allow such a thing.
@@vickubasiak2166
Deployed there in 1976, worked primarily on building the waves barracks. It was my last deployment after my injury there. We lived in Huts then, no real barracks. Never went to a movie theatre, the chapel depicted in the video, nor the navy exchange. Just worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. It was a long summer. Sorry to see the base closed.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
We lived there from 79-84, loved it. I went back in the early 90's, still loved it. Sad to see the sate of it now. good thing we still have our memories. I use google earth quite a few times a year to go looking at the base and my o;d stomping grounds. Oh the fond memories.
Thank you for sharing 🙏
Was my home in 83 - 86 and my daughter was born there in 83. Lots of memories with family and friends! May RR rest in peace. ;(
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Edgardo ortiz de San Sebastián puerto Rico la base Roosevelt Road deberian hacer una escuela militar con entrenamiento a soldados y remodelar el hotel que esta en las intalaciones y utilizarlo como área turistica.
This is sad to watch. My friends father worked on this base and we would go snorkeling on the base beach and workout in the bundy gym. The base was so well kept back then.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
It's literally breaking my heart rn
September 1981 to June 1985. Public Works and Weapons Department. I lived at 34 Saratoga. One of the best memories of my life. Really sad to see the further decay of this once great Navel Station.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
I was stationed there from 1983-1986@ the Naval Hospital..was in the base theater club that performed at the high school and officers club..played for the hospital softball team in bundy..was there when they opened El Coqui thetare..thrilled to see the video but sad of its current state..like seeing a ship under water and hoping all the images would return to how they were..
Thanks for sharing 🙏
Wow! Its so sad that it's gone I was TDY there in the 1980's such a beatiful air station/base. 🙏
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
So, sad to see such a beautiful base that's just been left to decay!
Me and my brothers went to school there. Miss that place sooo much
Thanks for sharing. 🙏 👍
What years were you there and what grades? I too went to school there.
Wow....right in the feels. Nimitz Dr crew represent!
Thank you for sharing 🙏
My husband and I were there from 1980-84 and we loved it. It used to be so beautiful--I cried when we left. This is really sad to watch. We had a wonderful time there.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
@@rafikb08 🌷🌹🙏
I live on that base. My mother worked in the pizza gallery. I’m surprised PR Let it go
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Very very sad! I had my son there. This just breaks my heart
@@jodiwyatt1987 thank you for sharing. 🙏
That's so sad. This video just made me cry. My brother was in the Army for 4 years then came back to puerto rico and he went to the Army Reserve in Roosevelt Roads. He was a manager in the navy exchange. I use to go there with my brother's when were kids in the 80's. I remember every 4 years we use to watch the Blue Angels perform there stunts in the sky. Those was the good old days.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Wow! I was born there in 1973. I visited in 2006 and tried to get back there to see the house I lived in, but it was blocked off. My dad ran tugboats there in the early 70's. USS Nadli was one of the tugs.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Spain has a Navy Base
Italy has a Navy base
Etc, etc...
Puerto Rico had a Navy bsse...
Thank you so much for uploading this. It was sad but that theatre is where I had my first performances as a child. Usually when I try to find old videos of the base they never show the theatre! I’m grateful to have this footage! If you’re able to visit one of the libraries that was on that base that would be cool too!
I’m happy you found this post. 🙏
I had my kindergarten graduation in this theater! 1998, 👍😁
I remember watching “Demon Night” in that theater back in 95. Shame to see it so run down. 😢
Thanks for sharing. 🙏
I loved there for three years 1988-1991). This brings back so many memories. Makes my heart ache to see it like this. 😢
Thanks for sharing. 🙏
Were you station there or were you a kid growing up there during that time? I ask because I was went to the elementary school during those years.
Sueños perdidos ...Se cansará Estados Unidos de enviar dinero a cambio de nada ...???
I got married in the chapel December 21, 2001. Breaks my heart to see… I was Station there late 1999-2004 and deployed there before, as a Seabee 1998-99
Thank you for sharing 🙏
Wow… I literally grew up there.. almost cried watching this..🙁🙁
Thanks for sharing. 🙏
I remember watching "signs" in that theater. Such a shame its all gone.
Thanks for sharing. 🙏
I was stationed there and remember when hurricane Hugo hit the base, it got very nasty.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Toda una ciudad perdida. La envidia de un pueblo , bolera, iglesia ,cine / teatro, gasolinera, mercado, hospital, aeropuerto, puerto para botes etc. podías estar días sin salir y no aburrirte. Qué pasó ? No hubo políticos con visión. No había que construir mucho ya todo estaba echo sólo mantenimiento. Y pensar que hay escasez de vivienda en P.R.
Thanks for sharing. 🙏
Anyone knows about any revitalization plans for Roosevelt Road?
There are folks repurposing some of the property. While I was visiting, I met a group that was starting ecotourism on some of the land. They were converting some of the barracks buildings into a hotel type accommodations.
We are so sorry for that , Now is Zombie Town
Hey! I have a picture from 98 in that theater. Kindergarten graduation
Ah man this sucks, went to middle and high school there.
Thank you for sharing 🙏
I was there from 87 to 89.Sad to watch
Thanks for sharing 🙏
Very sad to see this ...
OMG...I got my interview for a part in 🏴☠️ of the Caribbean and worked with larkey Martin air defence back then..
Thanks for sharing. 🙏
I was stationed there 30 years ago. It is heartbreaking to see what has happened to the old base.
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Lived on base for a bit stepfather stationed there for 4 years. Huge place sad they just let it go.
@@MrStar700 Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Did you serve with a Jose R Perez?
@@jperez1083 that name sounds very familiar. Did you by chance serve at Surface Ops. I was on the Tugs YTB 788, 803 and 811.
How sad.
Si this is all accesible only on bike
Is this the chapel that was there in 63-65 or was this one built later ?
I don’t know. Sorry.
It was the one built later. This one was closer to the FFSC and more towards the middle of the base.
This is not the one that was there from 63 to 65. The one that was there was up on the hill behind the old EM Barracks.
I'M 80 YEARS OLD. I LIVED WITH MY PARENTS IN ROOSEVELT ROADS FROM 1950 TO 1958. I WAS BORN IN 1943, THE SAME YEAR THAT THE BASE CONSTRUCTION STARTED. THE FIRST HOUSING AREA AT ROOSY ROADS WERE CALLED THE 120 HOUSING ( THERE WERE 120 HOUSES). THIS HOUSING PROJECT HAD THE FIRST CHURCH IN ROOSY ROADS. THE SECOND WAS BUILT IN FORT BUNDY WHEN THE ELIMINATED THE 120 HOUSES TO MAKE WAY FOR THE RUNWAY EXTENSION AND THE THIRD WAS BUILT CLOSE TO THE BOWLING ALLEY.
It was in the Bundy Area
what a damn shame
@@Thetravlingteacher thank you for sharing. 🙏
Deployed there 3 times. Sad to see it in ruin.
Thanks for sharing 🙏
Four years in heaven
Thank you for sharing 🙏
The beginning off, as the Boston Tea Party was the beginning of the ending of
Be Creative And Reuse That Place, For The Real Beneficiaries Of That Property, The People Of Puerto Rico. Is Not A Military Station Anymore. Stop Thinking In War. That Portion Of Land Is In a Privilage Spot. The Government Of Puerto Rico, Sadly Does Not Serve To The People. Allways Waiting For Orders of Their Masters. Clean The Property and Re desing Something For The People.
Thank you for sharing 🙏
A lot of ugliness now of what used to be a beautiful place😢
Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Why?
Essentially the people got tired of what was happening in Vieques and that they wanted the military out, you see the part of that island was used by the military to test weapons which up until this day still affects the health of the people living on that island.
Donde queda el cine ???? Quiero ir a ver como esta
I don’t speak Spanish. Sorry. The movie theater is not far from the bowling alley when you are going down the road you have to look into the jungle/forest off to the side of the road and look closely otherwise you will miss it. It’s difficult to see from the road.
I don’t speak Spanish. Sorry. The movie theater is not far from the bowling alley when you are going down the road you have to look into the jungle/forest off to the side of the road and look closely otherwise you will miss it. It’s difficult to see from the road.
@@rafikb08 cool It should be on the right hand side
@@michaelgabrieloiglesias4388 It was so long ago I cannot remember exactly which side it was on in the direction you’re coming or going…
I do remember a small parking area was on the other side of the street and there seemed to be a pedestrian crosswalk right there at the road so try to look for that
there might’ve been a handrail or guard rail or something like that
But the movie theater building itself was deeper in the woods and you have to look closely to find it
@@rafikb08 going
Donde esta el cine ?
Bundy, después del campo de golf y la piscina/gimnasio de Bundy siga directo, estará a su lateral derecho. La forma más rápida de llegar es si entra por el gate 1 en vez de gate 3. Nací en el hospital de Roosevelt Roads Naval Station y me crié dentro la misma. La naturaleza ha cubierto la mayoría de las infraestructuras y caminos. Ver esto me devastó por dentro.
@@AlsemmiEmirr787 realy sad... it give me nostalgia
A lot of times went there with the Army and was like being in another state .,sadly now is like another ghetto from a third world country
As a Puerto Rican so happy this base was abandoned. The military no longer uses Vieques as a bombing range and Puerto Ricans are allowed to go to Culebras. A lot of people here are sad that it’s gone, but I’m not. That base brought my country nothing but pain and destruction.
Will all the respect, 1rst vieques and culebra was so damage from military exercises that people should.not be allow to live there, THATS WHY WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE GETTING SICK, you know that, also 2nd they should have let the us government take the two island and leave RR base in place for any emergencies, and last but not least, pr lost a lot of income and support when the base was gone just like in 1972 Ramey base in aguadilla was closed by the usaf. Now tell those protestors including pip RB WHO NEVER HAD A PLAN ON DEVELOPING THE BASE NOR ANYTHING IN PR. ALSO THANK PPD AND PNP WHO NEVER HAD A PLAN. AND YES JUST IF YOU WONDER WHY I SAID THIS ? I FROM THERE AND I WAS THERE WHEN ALL THIS TOOK PLACE. THERES NOTHING ANYONE CAN TELL ME TO CHANGE MY OPINION ON THIS SUBJECT.
It is people like you that I despise the most and wish you’ll go away with your bullshit.
I understand what you are saying and agree but many of us where just children and have happy memories
@@RUDYLOVE72 That's why I no longer believe in your god, for miserable people like you.
That base and the US government is what’s holding the island together along with the people who get all off the benefit of being a US citizen but none of the responsibilities of being a State. My family is from the island and I lived on the base as a kid. There was way more good that came out of the base.
Wonder if PRs are proud of themselves for letting go of all of this. For what reason? For zero reason. Are y’all better off after this?
They were using Vieques as a bombing range. We’re very happy that this base is abandoned, has brought nothing but destruction and pain of our people.
@@janicepena6710 Sure.
@@janicepena6710 Now the destruction and pain comes from drugs and gangs, hypocrite
@@janicepena6710 I'm sure.
hows the economy going ?
Sadly some are.