In December 1964, just 4 weeks after the battle of LZ Regular. My cousin Terry McGuire and I began our quest of joining the Army to defend the World against the expansion of Communism in the Far East.
Both of us were sons of combat veterans of World War II and felt that we had a duty to serve during a time of war. Being 18 years old and a part of the generation who were born into the world knowing more than their parents.
Terry and I went down to the Army recruiting office and spoke with the Army Recruiting Sargeant. Boy, did he have an opportunity for us. Terry wanted to be in the Infantry, and I wanted to fly helicopters. Terry was accepted before I was. My journey began in Kalamazoo Michigan and expanded to Ft. Wayne in Detroit Michigan. Physicals, Dental exams, psychological testing, Flight physical and interview with a board of 6 Officers that would determine my acceptance or rejection into Flight School. After, several months of prodding and poking, the recruiter came by the house one night and informed me that I had been accepted. Now all I had to do was graduate and the Army was going to be my next stop.
I graduated in June and got a job working for G&W Pizza working in Mendon Michigan. I was officially a Pizza Dough boy. My job consisted of mixing 350 pounds of dough moving it to a production table then cutting into balls of dough into 3 different weight groups, putting a ball into processing machine (manually operated) and pressed and cut into pieces. Spread the pieces onto a tray covered with cornmeal and put it into a humidity cabinet to rise. Remove one tray and put it onto an operator’s machine. All-in-all it actually was a good training protocol for me to get fit for basic training. Eight hours of back breaking hustle and non-stop till lunch and quitting time. Lost weight and gained muscle and psychological stress to the breaking point. Who would have thought that being a pizza doughboy could be so challenging.
In late July I was notified that I had a report date of August 21, 1965. I was notified several days to be at the Greyhound Bus Station for my ride to Ft. Knox Kentucky.
So, begins yet another Storm of life.
“We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. ” – Mother Teresa