51 years ago today...

[two-bit cowboy]

Dateline -- Riverton, Wyo.

I walked up the stairs to board a Frontier Airlines Convair 580 bound for Denver. At the top of the stairs I turned to wave "so long" to Mom, Mamo (my grandmother), and my girlfriend.

On the other end an Air Force staff sergeant collected me, shuffled me onto the waiting blue bus, and delivered a bunch of other guys and me to MEPS on Denver's dismal Larimer Street.

"Raise your right hand, and...."

"Off we go..." to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. I retired 28 years, four months, and four days later.

I didn't realize it then, but it changed my life. Not one regret, and I wouldn't alter anything that's happened since.

 

[crazyphil]

After I finished my initial 4 year enlistment, I took a discharge at rank
of S/Sgt. I had been working at NSA in Arlington VA (at that time). They
offered me another stripe to stay with them, but I wanted to go to college.
I have often wondered how things might have been if I had stayed with the
program.

By the way Bob, do you know that Bitter Creek is in Sweetwater
County Wyoming. (I like trivia)

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Hmmm, Phil. After basic and tech school I worked at NSA in Laurel, Md. When Nixon pulled us out of 'nam I got a pink slip saying I was "excess to needs" in my career field. I cross-trained into air traffic control. If not for that I would have been out after four.

Yes, I know Bitter Creek in Sweetwater County!

If you like trivia, the river that runs through Cody, Wyo. was originally named the Stinking Water River because of the mineral smell. Once Cody gained some prominence the "new" locals couldn't abide the river's name for fear it might detract tourists. It's now the Shoshone River, and it still stinks!

 

[pharmer]

........ Not one regret, and I wouldn't alter anything that's happened since.

And that is how to gauge "a life well lived." Joe

 

[Golddollar]

Thank you for your service.

 

[Rustyt1953]

52 years for me. If memory serves me correctly it was a Delta Stretch-8 from CVG to SAT.

I got a free lunch.

 

[Truckman]

52 years for me. If memory serves me correctly it was a Delta Stretch-8 from CVG to SAT.

I got a free lunch.

I well remember the stretch 8's, Trans Caribbean Airways had a fleet of them for contract flights between McGuire and Frankfurt...300 of us knees to back the whole trip...The dollar-41 between Holloman and Spangdahlem was more comfortable......Ben

 

[mdf9183]

Come April 24th it will be 60 years for me. It was a Super Connie for me from Newark N.J. to S.A.

 

[Ugly Hombre]

1/2 century-50 years ago for me this summer..

Man how times have changed, and so has the Republic. Glad I served, glad I had the chance to, glad the world was the way it was when I was in.

Peace time GI no combat. Was able to live O/S in three countries for 10 years really a education bout how lucky we are to be Americans.

Not much I would change but there are some.

I talk to young GI's almost everyday always tell them.

"Don't forget you are doing something honorable- you are doing something good or our country. remember that"

They don't hear that enough- and a big difference today not much fun and little blowing off steam allowed.

 

[OLDSTER]

I was in graduate school, and on the ROTC pistol team.

 

[Inusuit]

54 years for me. Train from hometown to Denver, some flight from there to SeTac and Fort Lewis by bus.

 

[llowry61]

Thanks to all for your service.

Back when I started traveling for work in the early 90's the Convair 580's were used for the commuter flights between CMH and ORD. I spent a lot of time in them since out HQ was in a suburb of Chicago.

 

[max]

I had been out less than a year and was working as a veteran's job counselor. Once a month, I went to Chanute and spoke to people who were being discharged.

 

[jimbo728]

52 years ago i took the oath. service was a great honor
jim

 

[JayCeeNC]

Almost 52 years for me; flew to Lackland AFB in August, 1971, for Basic Training.

 

[gunship]

May 1 will be 53 years for me with a ride from Flying Tiger Airlines to the Tropics

 

[crazyphil]

71 years for me. I went to Lackland AFB on the train, basic training.
I'm 88 now. I was 17 then.

 

[fiasconva]

51 years ago I was sitting at McChord AFB waiting to put on another stripe since I finally had enough time in grade to get one. I think that was about the time they had a promotion freeze and I had to wait another 6 months. I could be wrong about the timing of the freeze. Anyone in at that time remember?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Anyone in at that time remember?

Yes. I don't know the actual originator of the freeze, but word on the street blamed it on President Nixon.

My second stripe was delayed in the freeze. Wasn't very long, not even two months, but as a "mosquito wing" it was a hard pill to swallow.

edited to add:

You made me go look. I don't know when I sewed on my second stripe, I believe it was some time in February 1973, but my effective date of rank was 8 Jan 73, as if there'd been no freeze.

 

[fiasconva]

I don't remember the exact dates either. I was just hoping for that massive pay raise that went with one stripe to two.