usmc2427765
US Veteran
I was a young PFC and stationed at Staging Bn Camp Pendleton, Ca. prior to shipment to RVN. I had duty that night and we were living in Quanset Huts which looked like a 55 gal. barrel on steroids cut in half. Everyone was on liberty, going to homes of folks that invited Marines to their homes for Christmas Eve and Day. It was also cold in that hut since we were required to keep all windows open including the hatches at both ends due to a meningitis problem. Temperature about 45 with a stout wind.
I was not a happy camper. My father had taken his life a few days earlier because he didn't think I would survive Vietnam. I was a radio operator, so he may have had a valid concern. I was an only child and left my mother without any real family support. My girlfriend, that I thought was the love of my life, had lasted a whole week before I got her letter telling me she was already dating other people.
That hut I was in had an old coal oil fired heater that I had on full blast to keep the cold under control and I was seated as close to it as I possibly could without bursting into flames. I noticed a coyote come in the door to my left. It was not unusual to see them since we were out in the hills and they would prowl our garbage cans for food.
As I watched him, he approached the opposite side of the stove and laid down to take advantage of the warmth. He kept an eye on me but was never real concerned. He stayed about an hour and then departed, I assume, warmed up.
It reminded me of a manger scene ,many years before, when other animals and men came to worship a new born King. If there was not a coyote there, one should have been.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve 1969 when I did meet my true love of 49 years. I just wish Dad could have been here to see her and his grandson Robert.
Merry Christmas everyone and hold those dear to you very close because you never know when it will be the last time.
Brian Jefferies
Sgt. USMC
RVN Jan.!969 to Aug. !970
I was not a happy camper. My father had taken his life a few days earlier because he didn't think I would survive Vietnam. I was a radio operator, so he may have had a valid concern. I was an only child and left my mother without any real family support. My girlfriend, that I thought was the love of my life, had lasted a whole week before I got her letter telling me she was already dating other people.
That hut I was in had an old coal oil fired heater that I had on full blast to keep the cold under control and I was seated as close to it as I possibly could without bursting into flames. I noticed a coyote come in the door to my left. It was not unusual to see them since we were out in the hills and they would prowl our garbage cans for food.
As I watched him, he approached the opposite side of the stove and laid down to take advantage of the warmth. He kept an eye on me but was never real concerned. He stayed about an hour and then departed, I assume, warmed up.
It reminded me of a manger scene ,many years before, when other animals and men came to worship a new born King. If there was not a coyote there, one should have been.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve 1969 when I did meet my true love of 49 years. I just wish Dad could have been here to see her and his grandson Robert.
Merry Christmas everyone and hold those dear to you very close because you never know when it will be the last time.
Brian Jefferies
Sgt. USMC
RVN Jan.!969 to Aug. !970
