Remembering yesterday today

I don't know why but lately I've been thinking alot about my time in the military. I think maybe because I'm disabled I don't have the same social interaction as I did when I was in the Army. Also the qualty of friendship is not the same. When your stationed somewhere with a group of people you literally put your life in their hands and theirs in yours. It gives you a humbling feeling knowing that you have an enormous responsibility, and at such a young age. Your job is a matter of life and death.

        I can still remember the day I went into the Army. Even as rough and tough as I thought I was at the ripe old age of 17 you become very lonely and a little scared. You see you lose your identity in a way because your starting from scratch in a new life. It usually takes a short time before you start forming friendships and enemies. You cannot make it through basic training on your own and the drill sergeants won't let you. These strangers suddenly become family. Oh and there is no privacy. The training is long, hard and tough but the most rewarding thing you will ever do. At the end of basic you come out lean and mean full of pride and honor, your chest stuck out and a straight upright walk that shows you have changed. You are now ready to learn the Art of War, become a cultural poet and teacher. Now you are ready to learn your job that you will do. Your literally a cog in a giant wheel. After school many of the people you have come to call your family have since moved on and you have begun constructing a social network of people you will never forget but will probably never see again. The first duty station is strange. It's much like  controlled chaos. Unit pride builds quickly and a whole new set of friends. After 20 years I remember people and wonder what they are doing? How did their lives turn out?. Did they stay in the service? Questions with not many answers. Suddenly the thought of tracking your buddies down becomes your mission, will they remember you? If anyone reading this was in Korea or knows someone that was in Korea in 86-87 at Camp Casey HQ CO 5TH/20TH MECH INF. contact me on this page. Happy reading.