anniversary

[bummer]

Today marks the 40th anniversary of my time in the Army. I had entered on the delayed entry program at the beginning of my senior year of high school. I walked across the stage on June 5 1981 and shipped out from Pittsburgh International this morning. After a short stay at Fort Jackson SC we boarded a bus for a drive to Co B 9th BN 2nd ITB Harmony Church area of Ft Benning GA. I learned to hate fire ants,fire guard and PT in the middle of the night in my underwear in the rain because the fireguard fell asleep. I learned to love my Drill Sgts ( Gosa and Hendricks) you whip a 17 year old into a young man, and I can't forget the girl who sent me a Penthouse for my 18th birthday and that centerfold that I got to do push-ups over after we completed a 15 mile road march.
I served 8 years 1 month 15 days , I had good times and bad times but I would do it again

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Thanks for going in and welcome home (32 years late)!

Ivan

 

[Golddollar]

Thank you for your service.

 

[lihpster]

40 years ago I was 13. I was riding my bike to school. I was beginning to rebel against my parents and question authority of any sort. I was learning to think for myself. I was learning alot of that thinking was going to be about girls. And guns. And cars. And motorcycles. I made mistakes by the thousands, and had successes by the.... Well, let's just say I had successes.
And I was able to do all of it because people such as yourself protected my freedoms and those of my fellow citizens. Thank you for your service and Happy Anniversary!