Geoffrey Hayes

GEOFFREY HAYES 1945 - 2009

Geoffrey Hays came from a long line of fighting men that dated back to the Highlands of Scotland where the members of the Hays Clan battled their bitter enemies. Geoff was born in 1945 and joined the Army Security Agency in 1963 shortly after graduating from high school.

After completing his basic 12 month Russian Course he was selected for an additional 6 month of training in advanced Russian and then sent to Vint Hills Farms for voice intercept training. Geoff was then assigned to the 78^th USASA SOU in West Berlin where he worked on the Hill as a 98G until his discharge in 1968.

After his discharge Geoff returned to Cheney, Washington where he attended Cheney State University before moving to Alaska. Geoff lived a vigorous life in Alaska that included working on Artic fishing boats, the Alaskan Pipeline and the railroad. He was married for 25 years before losing his wife to cancer. Geoffrey Hayes died from cancer in December, 2009.

In addition to his language skills Geoff also enjoyed writing poetry; his poem to Andrews Barracks is below.

The Parade Ground is quiet now,

This red brick, a monument to the fallen…

Here the cream of a nation

Swore blood redemption and marched

Precisely to its death.

Now the bright banners are faded

Rags in recluse closets.

With fresh brick and new windows,

The old barracks grins down at a new generation

Like an old whore in new panties,

And in the hallways at night the ghosts

Awaken and cry like a lost puppy.