Reblogged from Project 365 Vets:
I graduated from college on May 9, 1971, and was in Navy boot camp in Orlando, FL, on June 1. At that time it was not an “All Volunteer Military”—every able-bodied man was given a number in the draft “lottery.” If you ended up with a high number, you could feel fairly safe that you wouldn’t be drafted and could continue to make school/career plans. If you had a low number, you could expect to end up in the infantry in Vietnam. Some men enlisted because they wanted to serve in the war. I …
365 Veterans is a fabulous blog that focuses on those serving or who have served our country in uniform. They have many wonderful stories to share, but I chose to reblog this one because the subject’s experience, I think, is typical in that I’ve heard many former shipmates tell a similar story.
I was one of those who had a high draft number and had little chance of being called in the draft. However, a close friend of mine was killed in country and I enlisted more out of a sense of anger than duty.
The irony is that for all my intentions, the closest I got to Vietnam was being pulled off of a flight to Da Nang an hour before departure because the Battalion Aid Station at Kaneohe Bay Marine Air Station needed someone qualified to perform X-Ray exams.
I suppose that this was just my destiny from the beginning because the transport never made it to Da Nang, either. Instead, it was rerouted in flight to Iwakuni, Japan where my replacement bought, and on his return, sold Teak reel to reel tape recorders for a significant profit. Of course, I had to buy one out of a sense of duty because of what might have been for him as my replacement.
Please take a moment or two or three and visit this website. Also, if you see a veteran in your day to day life, please, pause just long enough to extend a hand and to say thank you. They’ve all earned that much.
And, of course, let’s not forget their families. They are sacrificing for us just as much as their warrior.
I was one of those who had a high draft number and had little chance of being called in the draft. However, a close friend of mine was killed in country and I enlisted more out of a sense of anger than duty.
The irony is that for all my intentions, the closest I got to Vietnam was being pulled off of a flight to Da Nang an hour before departure because the Battalion Aid Station at Kaneohe Bay Marine Air Station needed someone qualified to perform X-Ray exams.
I suppose that this was just my destiny from the beginning because the transport never made it to Da Nang, either. Instead, it was rerouted in flight to Iwakuni, Japan where my replacement bought, and on his return, sold Teak reel to reel tape recorders for a significant profit. Of course, I had to buy one out of a sense of duty because of what might have been for him as my replacement.
Please take a moment or two or three and visit this website. Also, if you see a veteran in your day to day life, please, pause just long enough to extend a hand and to say thank you. They’ve all earned that much.
And, of course, let’s not forget their families. They are sacrificing for us just as much as their warrior.
~ Rick
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tshang said:
Thank you Rick.
--Rick said:
It is I who should and do thank you for remembering and appreciating the true 1% of the nation who are always willing, able and ready to serve their country for nothing other than the opportunity to safeguard liberty, happiness and human dignity. I salute you and your blogging efforts. Be well and prosper!