Could this be the end of the Purple Water Fountain?

Sadly, it appears so.
In today’s Washington Post, there is an article about the ongoing renovation of the Pentagon. For those who have had the pleasure of never working in the Pentagon, The building was constructed in World War II and many of the accoutrements remained in the Pentagon all these years. A visit to one of the 284 restrooms was like a trip to the past.

All this started to change in 1986 when the Pentagon renovation program started. Now it the program is getting close to ending. Less than 10% of the Pentagon is “original”. While many of the renovations drastically improved the safety and utility of the building, as a result many of these time honoured accouterments have been removed and replaced with more modern equipment.
The article points out that there is a feeling of sorrow at the change. Walking through the Pentagon was, to many, a trip through history.

One of the unique losses is the removal of the Purple Water Fountain. In the Pentagon there are 691 water fountains, but only one of them was purple. Many myths and legends have been written about this Purple Water Fountain, many of which should not be posted on public forums.

Way back in the stone age, there was an Air Force Personal office located in the same hallway as the Purple Water Fountain. For many brand new assignees to the Pentagon, this Purple Water Fountain served as a critical navigational landmark. Since there was only one Purple Water Fountain, you knew exactly where you were. For those who have never visited the Pentagon, it consists of five concentric pentagons and a complex room numbering system that can be confusing, especially to a new troop. Getting lost was common in your first tour.

Most of the ancient accouterments probably deserve an honourable burial with recognition of a job well done for over 60 years. However, I would have liked to see the Purple Water Fountain preserved as something a little special. I have not had the chance to go back to the Pentagon since the late 1990’s (I have been lucky in my career). I have been searching for a picture of the Purple Water Fountain. But the Pentagon, being what it is, I doubt there are pictures. I wish I could have taken one last look at the Purple Water Fountain… probably the most famous water fountain few have ever heard of.

Anyone else have fond (or not so fond) memories of the Purple Water Fountain?

 

SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE!

Lordy - how many memories????
The Ground Zero Cafe
The VIP Golf Cart
The best damned malted milks on the PLANET
The 4D deli with cheap subs that put Wegmann's to shame!
The Flag Officer's Mess (behind hte third panel down the hall)
The rumoured third basement level & Q ring (Shhhhhhh!)
The court yard in spring time (the most beautiful acre of land in Arlington!)
The "WeatherMaster 500"
Rollerblading around 4E at 0100
Doing your Christmas shopping at the 1A Mall
The USAF Enlisted Man's sword
The Soviet Jeep captured in Afghanistan in 5E


And, Sir, I must take issue with your assesment. My tour at "The Gone" was the best three years in my career. But then, I was assigned to the CNO's office.

 

Well I can understand people liking their tour if they were assigned to the "good carpet" areas.

For us minions down in the cheap seats, Pentagon duty can not always be a picnic.

For those who don't understand the inside references. There are different areas in the Pentagon. Where the minions work, it is rather plain and utilitarian. Where the high poobahs work the decorations are pretty nice. One aspect is the carpeting. The nicer the carpeting, the higher the honcho.

One sure way to tell if you are lost in the pentagon is when you find yourself standing on really good quality carpeting..... chances are that you probably don't belong there. LoL

I found that out the hard way just after the first Gulf War. I got seriously losted in the Pentagon trying to move some equipment. An unknown but rather authoritian voice was heard "son, I don't belive you are supposed to be in this area."

Gulp! Yes Sir

Ahh memories....