After enjoying a delightful afternoon taking in the Concerts by the Bay, led by the indomitable Chris Pederson and his Garden State Symphonic Band, it is a treat to devour the chili hotdogs at the Chez Slavko lunch truck at the boardwalk.
This also brings back happy memories of my misspent youth when I served as navigator on active duty in 1952 on Okinawa flying as a crew member on B-29 bombers over North Korea. We watched movies in between missions. Among one of the technicians the name Slavko Vorkapich appeared. A crew member picked it up and addressed another crew member usually me – as “Slavko.” The reply was “Vorkapich.” This continues on a few missions. When a nine hour flight got boring a crew member would bark over the intercom, “Hey! Slavko! Where in blazes are you taking us? I have a date with Yoko, the belle of the town of Deregawa!” I was also the honorary mayor of that town. Anything to break the tension of those times!
As an old hotdog connoisseur I appreciate Slavko’s hotdogs. I began my career at age 14. I was the hotdog boy for Monte Borak, of sainted memory, at Water’s Stadium. I can still hear his sales pitch. “A loaf of bread a pound of meat, a gallon of mustard, a shovel of sauerkraut – all for a nickel, five cents! “Slavko’s dogs are the closest in quality those of good, old Monte! May Slavko continue to exist and prosper. No matter where he may find himself. May the name of Slavko Vorkapich be honored and cherished, as it lifted-up our spirits in the service of our country in the long ago.
Thank you for your courtesies.
Very truly yours,
Peter Book/a.k.a. Pedro Libro