Veterans, we served

 Pic of the day;

 

My mama sewed that uniform, I was a soldier early in life.  LOL

 For today:

I have always been an odd ball. From my childhood I KNEW I would be military. My brothers, cousins and uncles were off to WWII. Many a night I was in our front yard with my wooden rifle waiting for the Germans or Japs to fly over. I was enthralled at the blackouts and how car lights were shadowed when driving at nights.

When my brothers would be home in uniform, they were my heroes.

I couldn’t wait until I was  17 to join.  So I forged a Birth Certificate and registered for the draft at 16. Sherry let me use her Typewriter to fix the birth Certificate. I made it through all the tests and physicals until just before the swearing in.

The Officer in charge asked if anyone was under 17 without parents' permission. No one spoke. I was nervous then I heard: Darnell, step outside,  State Bureau of Investigation agents wants to see you.

So I waited until I was 17 and joined the USMC. That was January 1956.

 

A Marine in Athens Greece,

After a tour in the Corps, I enlisted in the USAF. I was assigned the Crash Boats in Biloxi Mississippi as a radio operator. I was cross trained into Analog computers, when the USAF switched to Digital Computers, I was sent to school for those and repaired the newest computers, that one took 1200 sq ft.It was tube type and took an Air conditioner the same size. If you have a  digital watch, it will probably do more than that computer. LOL

Above I had just gotten home from school on Keesler AFB. I was greeting Jack Jr. our first son.

Last I Joined the USN and became an IBM repairman on the USS Independence, an aircraft carrier. I was then switched to Naval Intel and taught Naval Intel Processing.

Petty Officer 3rd Class on the Indy in Istanbul, Turkey.

Most vets never see actual combat, I was one of the fortunate ones. I was always in a support roll. I have always admired and respected my fellow mates who served and survived the combat rolls.

I have a great respect for this country and do not regret a moment serving under several Commanders in Chief, both Democrats and Republicans.

 I am proud of all Veterans. All gave some, some gave ALL. When I see my fellow Vets at the VA Hospitals missing limbs, and suffering from the effects of war, I am humbled.  I only lost my hearing to guns and aircraft engines. That was long before ear protection was required or used. God Bless all veterans and I thank them.

 

Nite Shipslog

PS 

Thanks for all the visits  Love all you guys… 

One thing that is forgotten many times is the wives and families left behind to handle EVERYTHING while the military member is deployed.  God bless everyone who kept the home fires going.  My Sherry was/is one tough lady...