50 years ago this week

[vito]

On July 6, 1966 I began my active duty as a newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. With my new wife (we had married just a few months earlier) of not yet 20 years old, this 23 year old embarked on this new adventure which was to have lasted for just my two year obligation. Looking back now at that young man, I feel like I am watching some old movie. That two year military stint turned into a 24 year career. Military "retirement" was really the start of another 24 year long career in the civilian world. Over these years we saw the birth and growing up of five children, and now 12 grandchildren (and counting!) and numerous momentous events, both good and bad. And it is really true that this half century has gone by so fast that it makes my head spin. I find it hard to get my mind around the reality that 50 years have gone by and I am now an old man. But it has been a great adventure, and I am hopeful that the adventure has at least a few more good years to keep going. I have few regrets and make fewer apologies, and am so grateful for the life that I have been given so far. And the greatest part of it is that the young woman who started this with me is still at my side. She turns 70 later this summer, and I still get a thrill when I see her smile and feel so lucky that this great gal has, for some reason, stuck with me all these years. Life has been good. Sometimes hard, sometimes with great anguish and sadness, but good.

So as we prepare this weekend to celebrate the 240th birthday of our great nation, I celebrate a milestone of my own. God bless all of you.

 

[m657]

thank you for your dedication and your service vito
I get the same feeling for my own Sweet Bride now well over 40 years into our journey together

of course Happy Anniversary America!!!!

 

[bobski]

well done!


btw...50 years ago my dad bought a new 66 pontiac lemans.

 

[CGDustDevil]

Thank you Vito!!

 

[PackinPreacher]

I was still in basic training as a 20 year old seaman recruit. Since then, I've had a total of 18 years relationship with the USN between active (4 years), ready reserve, and drilling reserve. No retirement but don't regret the way that I did it. Two marriages. One was for fun and one was forever. 3 Sons, 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. Finishing my 16th year in pastoral ministry after making my living for 32 years as a straight commission industrial sales man. I am so blessed to be part of this great country and am fearful for the direction that she is heading; politically and morally.

 

[blume357]

Simply, "you done good" vito.

 

[graygun]

A good friend graduated in June of '66 and enlisted in the Army. He'd been talking about it for a couple of years. He wanted to go armor but IIRC he was working with mobile generators. He was stationed somewhere close to the DMZ in Korea and actually got into a shooting exchange which left a Communist dead.

I also had a cousin (Army 65-67) stationed there who shot a guy with a .45 while on guard duty. The round hit the guy's leg.

These incidents did not usually make it into the civilian newspapers.

 

[vito]

During my 24 years of active military service I only had one assignment in a combat zone, Vietnam from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1971. Being in a medical battalion headquarters I certainly did not have a combat role, but I had reason to use my weapon and one never forgets the feeling of being shot at by some invisible enemy. It does seem, however, that was an entirely different lifetime. But maybe if I lose a few pounds, cut my hair short, and put a Marlboro in my mouth I would again feel like that young Captain in a war zone.

 

[pete44ru]

.

50 years ago, I was a short-timer @ Fort Bragg, awaiting my (honorable) discharge from the USAF (Pope AFB), raising a (then) new 1st baby (a Son) of what would eventually become first, 3 children, then 3 adults - all with the same lady, my wife of 51 years (now).

I count myself among the fortunate - Have a safe & happy 4th of July !

.