Proud to be one
It was the 60's. Fast cars, beer, pizza ( I saw my first Pizza Hut at Kansas University in 1964) and of course youth.
I had just seen "GI Blues" with Elvis as a tank driver in Germany. Juliet Prowse was his love interest and mine as well. It was the fall of 1965 and I had just returned from a 5 week USO tour and was struck with serious case of strep throat. Doctor's sent me home to recoop and my buddy and I decided if Elvis can do it...... so can we.
Off to the recruiters office and I don't remember the next few hours as they slipped past faster than minks making love. I walked out with a 4 year commitment and my buddy decided to go into the Air Force Reserve. He paid for it because he saw the job title "Metals Processing Specialist" and invisioned himself working in a lab with a white smock and tie. Ha-Ha...... that job became a welder in missile silos near Knob Noster AFB (currently the home of the B-2).
I left for the Army in February of 1966 and thought those next 4 years would last a lifetime.
Blink-Blink and it's February 1970. A week doesn't go by that I don't think of my time in the service, the people I worked with, those I laughed with and those that I lost. I'm thankful I had the chance to be a part of such a great and honorable tradition.
I only wish the WWII memorial had been built years before so many more of our heros could have experienced seeing it and knowing how much they're sacrifice meant to those who went after.
Anyone who offers to put thier life in harm's way in the service of their country is a my hero.
Army of One