The Navy for me, although I did not realize it after graduating from high school in 1957 opened up a view of the world I never knew existed after growing up in a small Kansas town. After basic training I went to radioman school, then to a ship in Hawaii. What a wonderful place. I also was able to see and experience a lot of the far east.
During the Vietnam era my time was primarily spent on wooden hulled ocean going minesweepers. A great experience, although I feel Vietnam was a terrible waste of young mens lives. My entire career was spent on the Pacific side of America. I retired in 1979 and reside in San Diego.
I have the utmost respect for the young men and women of todays military. I support the VFW and USO.
God bless our troops.
San Diego area, CA