Okay, so it has been over a year but I’m thinking this could be a great place for me to vent. I’m sure there will be no sense or order to my writing just thinking out loud. On my FB today my sister posted a poem:
This got me thinking and searching on line What is a Veteran as defined by others. Really got me thinking and wanting to share with anyone who would like to know about this Veteran yes me. I am a “Cold War Veteran”, I served in the US Army during supposed Peace Time (June 1982 – May 1991). When I was preparing for my senior year in high school I had to ask myself wher do I go from here. I was lucky my class counselor and teacher in charge of the National Honor Society at my little school Erie Jr. Sr. High School spoke to me about the future and how important education would be in my future. All I really understood is education costs money and or you can do well in school in your studies, extra curricular activities, sports etc. and maybe earn a scholarship to a college or university. I worked hard and submerged my life with school, music and sports, I believe I did alright for myself. I did not know anyone in my family that had gone on to higher education. I received numerous letters from colleges and universities who wanted me to run and or play music at their school on scholarships. Not knowing or understanding what scholarships entail, how they worked, what is paid and not paid, how much would I have to pay? All of those questions and felt kind of dumb not knowing and didn’t ask my track/cross country coach Binkley, my band instructor Mr. Martorano, or my student counselor Mrs. Cole. As our senior year began in August of 1982 everyone was talking about our futures, and where are we going from here.
I was not in trouble with the law, I had no prior record, I was tenth in my class with a 3.45 gpa so I wasn’t not smart. I did have a shot at going on to a higher education and future. Although I didn’t know it at the time my family was not poor, I was not a loser, trouble maker etc. all of the stereotypes that were out there in the 80s of our military. Since I was 5 or 6 years old I wanted to be in a uniform, yep a uniform and I loved the “Few the Proud, the Marines” commercials. Oh, how I loved their uniforms, during this time of year at school the recruiters began coming to our school, and one day a wrestler (Ernst) who graduated from our school a year or two before me represented the US Army. He was an awesome athlete and good guy so I figured the stereotypes were very wrong, so I went home and convinced mom and dad that at 17, I was required to get their permission to take the ASVAB exam to see if I coulc even qualify to serve my country in any service. I convinced them it was to take the exam only……well I got so puped up and excited after knowing I surpassed the minimum qualifications I was ready to swear in that day. Originally wanted to join the Marines, however at this time (1981-82) I found out that there can only be so many marines, and only so many women. At this time there was a 2 year waiting list to serve in the Marines. I chose to swear in on the delayed entry program in September 1981, which meant I swore in September, but would leave for Basic Training a month after my graduation. June 30, 1982. OOOOOO, how everyone was surprised my teachers, coaches and especially my parents not what they wanted for me. But I did it, and without regret I enjoyed my senior year, and graduated May 29, 1982. One of my good friends who graduated with me was killed on that night in a car accident. Talk about life events and growing up fast, when it was known Rinda had died all I could think about was where are my friends, Cheryl, Amy, Jan, Beth everyone else was ok, but what an eye opener of how short life can be, and as a human being should not regret any choices we make and when we make them make the best of everything. You don’t have to be old to die and leave this world, so live your life to the fullest now and everyday.
June 30th, 1982, time to leave for the Army, on my way to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, how selfish was I at the time, I never thought my family or friends would miss me, or care what could happen to me. I was just excited to begin my new phase of life. So mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt Carol, uncle George, and their 3 boys went with me to Stapelton Airport, at this time we could all go to the gate and wait together. I was excited, I didn’t realize what would or did happen to my family after I left. I found out years later, what an impact my leaving made to my family. My sister was a sophmore, and my baby brother was going into 8th grade when I left. My dad had just got hired back at EG&G Rocky Flats as a Journeyman Painter, which entailed a lot more money for the family, and dad didn’t have to work 2 or 3 jobs to keep everyone fed and clothed. I later found out mom and dad had an extremely hard time dealing with me leaving, I never thought to ask my parents why. I just know my sister and brother shared with me after mom died how she cried everyday for the first year after I lef Dad didn’t know how to handle mom and her depression so he seemed to find ways to not come home early during the week or and weekends finding odds and ends jobs, and who knows what else but it wasn’t very good. My sister and brother, the little that I’ve gotten from them, sister and brother had a hard time because of the school and teachers expectations of them, because of me. Since first grade, my mom drilled in my heart, mind, and soul my decisions, actions, and choices will effect my younger brother and sister and I should be the best I could be for them. This is where I learned we are all different and contribute to this world in different ways, not everyone is an honor student, scholarship athlete, great musician. Now that my parents have both passed away and I’ve been able to spend time with my sister and brother now as adults I wish they knew how successful and what great adults they have become in my eyes. I was unable to have any children (endometriosis), and brother had a sickness when he was born not sure what it was but I remember mom and dad talking and saying he may not be able to have kids when he is older. However, brother did have the joy, experience and love of raising a baby boy Christopher, Michaels wife Rachel of 19 years had a 4 year old when he met her. From the day they met, my brother loved that little boy as his own. He coached, help raise and teach life lessons to this young man and continues to this day. Christopher has become a good man, and our family enjoys and can’t get enough of him when on the rare occasion he can come down from Grand Junction and spend time with all of us. Mike and Rachel divorced a few years ago and it took a major toll on my brother and I’m sure on Rachel and Christopher also, but my brother is doing well and works hard every day. Aaahhhh, my sister, what a hell of a time she had in school and at home. I think my sister believed she was supposed to fill my shoes when I left, but sister was and is a different human being, and contributes in her own way, back then and now. My sister brought 6 nephews and nieces into our families lives. I don’t care who the fathers are, my sister took and has taken responsibility for everyone of her children. Four boys and two girls who now range from the ages of 12 to 26 years old, sister what wonderful young adults you have shared with us all. I so do love my baby sister and brother with all that I am, and all that I could be in our future. I really wish I would have been able to be there while they were becoming young adults in high schoolThey are now getting to know me also, but just who am I now at 49 years old?
Hope you follow and I believe next will be called “Time Served” talk about my time in service.
My Life? 