WHAT IT MEANS TO ME TO BE A VETERAN

It can be humbling to be a veteran. I had no choice as I was drafted in the heat of the Vietnam War build-up. Less than 3% of all draftees were college graduates In looking at my Platoon photograph ( found on Togetherweserved U S Army). In our own right we were conscripts on a mission to serve our Country!


My confidence grew with every waking hour. FRIENDS WERE MADE. Namely John B. O'Sullivan of Springfield, MA. The Army had a plan for Yours Truly and I, for the most part obliged. But that was 51 years ago.

I didn't take too much crap from anyone and enjoyed the ride.


Military Service instills Patriotism as it should. There's a respect for us today.. those who once served. I see it in the cap I wear and others wearing theirs. It's an American identity, regardless.


For the most part Uncle Sam was real for me. Spit-polishing the combat boots and using Brasso on the belt buckle we had to stand tall. Rolled socks in my footlocker was another sample of uniformity and discipline. In the modern age of jet travel


 We flew for half-fare in Uniform.. Class A's
Nothing was more fun than coming home on Leave.


As I grew older, my Buddy Jack Swedis, late of Spencer grew in a lifetime of happiness and laughs for neither of took things that seriously! And when I got orders for Vietnam, my main-man was terribly upset. I wasn't!


I SAW HALF OF THE WORLD, PLUS DOWN-UNDER! My memories today are lucid and refined as pure gold.


I maintain the system works. Despite the shenanigans of the VA, essentially we're earned the privilege to being a veteran.


Our Country seems to remain divided, and us Vietnam Veterans are "oldies." Too many smoke cigarettes and scratch tickets without a raison d'aitre. Luckily I have dodged health bullets in my advancing years (age 75).... and it is my pleasure to be your Blogger Emeritus...LOL.


I will not allow Veterans Day to go by without giving pause...pause to remember the happy moments, and yes, the sad ones!














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Specialist 5th Class   Medic  91.p20