In May 1946, he took an "on-the-job training" training stint with H. B. Smith Pontiac in Hershey where he switched his vocation from airplane to auto mechanic. After six months with H. B. Smith, he decided he'd like to try it on his own, so he took over a gas station and automobile repair business. After enduring a seven day work schedule, he decided he had had enough, so he sold out and went back to work for the government.

He bided his time by taking a one-year stint with the Pennsylvania National Guard - intending this to be temporary until something better came long. However, one enlistment led to another and another and 36 years later in 1983, he finally joined the ranks of the retired.

It had been a satisfying part of Pete's life. From a rank of Private in 1947, he had risen through the ranks to Warrant Officer W-4. He had served as an automobile repairman/inspector, automotive foreman and finally General Shop Foreman. During this time, he had repaired both wheeled and tracked vehicles, communications and electronic equipment, small arms, artillery, instruments, engineering and quartermaster equipment for the entire state of Pennsylvania. It had been a very fascinating and exciting career, one in which he had done it all within his trade.

After retirement, Pete reaped the benefits of his labor - Access to Post facilities such as Post Exchanges, Commissary, medical treatment including prescription drugs and all of their MRW wares. Incidentally, the monthly check came in handy too.

Pete & Betty Ciucci

Back in 1948, Pete Ciucci had married Betty Fisher. They went on to have four children - two boys and two girls. Now all grown, educated and married except for one boy who, up to this point has chosen to remain a bachelor. He is a professional sacred music organist. Among the seven grandchildren (so far) are twin girls born September 1991. You can be sure that Pete and Betty had a ball tending to these new additions to their family.

At the time of this writing, Pete classified his health as good, having undergone open-heart surgery twice - the first in 1978 when he received five by-passes - the second in 1983 when he was the recipient of four more. The first by-passes had become blocked and again within five years. In 1987 he had successful gall bladder surgery.

He faithfully followed a regiment of fast walking one hour each morning and in summer played golf three times a week. He walked a treadmill once each year and for his last eight years passed with flying colors.

It can be accurately said that that Pete's life has been very fascinating and fulfilling.