In 1965 ... [View all]

I was in the 1st 6 wk. basic training class of the Army Nurse Corp - normal was 8 wks. It was made up of a few Captains and 1st Lts. , but mostly 2nd Lts.
Rank was based on previous experience - I was an exp. ER nurse. Assignments were given out - I got Hawaii - some got Japan, Alaska, Philippines etc., but most were sent all over CONUS. (Continental United States).
A few short months later, all that were CONUS were in Viet Nam. Some were seriously wounded; but quite a number of them gave their lives.
When I applied to go to VN, I was turned down. Why? Was told that I was needed where I was.

My AF brother was the navigator on airplanes flying out of Seattle, WA to VN on milk-runs (taking in supplies). Once on a return trip, his plane stopped in Hawaii and I went out to meet him. His plane was riddled with so many holes acquired when leaving Nam that I could not imagine how they kept it in the air to get to Hawaii.

Each and every Memorial Day, I remember these 2 things and question WHY were the two of us spared?