I let Veteran’s Day slip up on me! As a career veteran and NCO in the Air Force and having three overseas tours, including two wars, I want to honor all those retired and those serving, too. I know leaving home at age 19 changed the course of my life. I recall the sad feeling of leaving loved ones and traveling to far places. I know becoming a recruit with head almost shaved can change one’s life in a hurry!
In early days of service, I traveled back and forth to home or various assignments by train. Looking back, my early reading of books helped prepare me for a rapid changing life of movement and adapting to new places and new people. I found basic training wasn’t too difficult and I followed orders. Being reared on the farm by Christian parents, I knew obedience and was strong from farm chores, done often in the hot sunshine. I also believe attending a one teacher country school for five years gave added discipline to mind and body.
My Air Force career led to several transfers around our nation, which suited my desire to go see new places. Some places were better than others but I learned to adapt to both duty assignments and new people and different environments. My widespread interest in many things helped me adapt. After marriage to Florine Kelley, I was happy to find she was tolerant and understanding concerning my love of the outdoors, fishing and hunting, and exploring.
The long separations tested our love and trust as husband and wife. I served one-year tours in Korea and Vietnam, no dependents allowed, and one three-year tour on Luzon Island in the Philippines. Fortunately, in a few months, Florine joined me there on Clark Air Base. Being Christians, our ties through the years remained close and committed. One child, Amy, born in the Army Hospital, Denver, Colorado, also added joy, purpose and strength to our relations.
Today as the years mount so fast, I often ponder on my life. A civilian since August, 1971, my military service seems only a little while ago. I had 19 years of youth when entering the Air Force. Now in my senior years the pull of the 22 years of service tugs at my mind more than my years in civilian life. However, I share very little of my thoughts to others, even in writing, because I think people today are involved in life totally different from service life. Only a small percent of young people serve in uniform, which I believe is not good for them or our country. We almost forget we are now at war!
