52 years ago today

[Lee Barner]

I left my hometown on a Grayhound bus bound for Memphis MEPS station and later that day arrived at Lackland AFB for a fun filled 6 weeks of marching, running push ups, marksmanship and other fun stuff. can't believe it's been that long. that was the beginning of a 21 year, 2 months and 15 days career that took me to every continent except Antarctica. quite a trip for a Tennessee farm boy. wouldn't trade it for the world. saw a lot of beautiful places, some no so, and a few really nasty, poor places. lets hear about your military service, short or long. Lee MSgt, USAF, Retired(31 years)

 

[Funflyer]

From one Airman to another, for selfless sacrifice to your country, I thank you sir.

Pick em up, put em down. I think I heard that before.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Thanks, again, for your post, Lee.

On March 27th, I passed year 49 since I hopped on that Frontier Airlines Convair 580 in Riverton, Wyo., bound for Denver to raise my right hand.

After 14 assignments in 28 years, 4 months, and 4 days, I retired.

The folks made the "not so great" places Great!

Aim High

 

[vytoland]

october 10, 1963 left chicago and arrived Lackland AFB, after basic, Keesler AFB, San Angelo AFB, final destination Chicksands , England.....6950th Security Group.....met a lovely British girl, got married.......honorable discharge February 4 1968, E4, back to chicago.....

 

[mdf9183]

April 23 1963 I was headed to Lackland on a four engine prop Super Constilation from Newark N.J. to San Antonio Tex.

 

[moosedog]

Hat's off to all of our protectors. Thank you.

 

[Eagle 477]

Arrived Lackland AFB Sept 17 1969 (Draft Notice Tucked in my back Pocket) Discharged McGuire AFB June 1 1991
21 years 9 Months 13 days

Thought I would avoid that place by enlisting Low and behold C-130s were stationed everywhere

Rob

 

[jscheck]

Much later than you, but USAF for 5 1/2 years, US Army for 2 1/2 years. West Germany, Dover Delaware, and back to Germany (with the Army this time). Two basic trainings. Fortunately never in a combat zone but available if needed.

 

[Rustyt1953]

A bit later for me. June 1971 to June '75. My DD-214 earned me my US citizenship. I grabbed a guitar and the GI Bill and hit the road.

What a ride it has been.

 

[SMSgt]

Made that Lackland trip in Feb, '71. Lasted 20 years, 6 months, 19 days.

 

[walkin jack]

On June 17th (my 77th birthday) I will observe the 59th anniversary of the day I took that big silver bird to San Diego for my Navy boot camp training. it was 16 weeks of...well, lets just say it was a life changing 4 months and let it rest there.

Feels like a life time ago in a far away, surreal place. Or maybe like a strange movie I saw. I'm a totally different person now.
Then: 5'5", 112 lbs, Brown wavy hair and most of a full set of teeth. I could see and hear and still unaffected by arthritis, neuropathy, and nerve damage in my arms. I could see and hear just fine. I could breath unassisted at night.

Now: 5'4", 165 lbs, bald headed. Most teeth gone, and all the physical problems I didn't have then I do have now. Had surgery to restore my vision and now have to wear hearing aids. I now have to sleep wearing a cpap or risk dying in my sleep.

Not complaining mind you. I wouldn't go back to being 18 again for all the oil in Texas.

It's all about...adjustment. ;^)

 

[stu1ritter]

Next week will mark the 62nd year since I hopped on the bus in Manhattan for the trip to Ft. Dix to begin a 5 year learning experience.

Stu

 

[max]

I was in Vietnam that day. That considered, I probably had a better day than you did.

I was at Fort Sam from Dec of that year until the next July and saw a lot of USAF around San Antonio.

Thank you for your years of service.

 

[m75rlg]

Boot camp is a good thing for an 18 year old kid. I did some growing up in my 13 weeks at USCG TRACEN Cape May, New Jersey in 1971. Even though I had been holding down a man's job 48 hours a week in the cotton mill while going to high school since I was 16.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Pickle suits, pugil sticks, pots & pans and butt cans.

The stuff memories are made from.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Farm boys from northern Illinois

In 1965, 56 years ago, I was inducted into the Army and my oldest younger brother into the Air Force. I was sent to Fort Detrick, MD after basic at Ft Knox. He did basic at Chanute AFB and spent most of his 4 yr. hitch in Germany. It was quite a ride for both of us. College degrees plus masters and long professional careers. Both married to same women with four children each who all have professions including 3 MDs and one Harvard lawyer.

My two year hitch in the Army got me started in a good direction.

 

[crazyphil]

I had just turned 17 on Feb 11, 1952, and on 6 March 1952 was sworn in
to the USAF. Then by train to San Antonio, Tx. Lackland AFB for basic.
If I recall correctly it was 8 weeks back then. Spent most of my first year
in schools learning to be a cryptographer. Spent a couple of years in a
very cold place, but my last year was in Wash. D.C. with NSA. Girls
outnumbered boy about 10 to 1. It was much warmer there.

 

[Tom Kent]

On 5, May, 1964, I went to an exotic place called Parris Island to begin "boot camp". I celebrated my first year in the Marine Corp in the Dominican Republic. Participated in my first firefight and saw my first dead Marine down there. A year later I left Camp Lejune for Viet Nam. Spent my tour there and then came back to the states and did the rest of my four years. Went to collage on the cold war GI Bill. There are things that stay with you and the Marine Corp is one of them. Semper Fi.

 

[STORM2]

56 years plus, but I'm still on the payroll.

 

[raisedin99]

Lee,

No sooner than I saw { 52 years ago today } I knew what the subject was all about.
Next Wednesday the 21st will be 52 years ago for me.

Thanks for all who served our great nation.

terry