General Discussion

Navy vet here. Boot camp at Camp Nimitz in San Diego, arrived October 25, 1965.

A dozen of us got off the bus from Oregon in civilian clothes, were assembled on the parade grounds and informed by a 300 pound Bosun's Mate that we weren't civilians any more.

"But don't get the idea that you're sailors. Right now you're nothing. You're mine".

We got uniforms and a spot in the barracks with a total of 90 guys in the company, which I will never forget was Company 621. and were introduced to our Chief.

Next was the haircut tent. While waiting in line, we could hear the barbers inside asking each recruit "how would you like it?" Good inside joke because we all came out with the same buzz cut.

Fast forward to being assigned out of boot camp to a destroyer out of Norfolk, Virginia.Some guys were assigned to the Pacific Fleet, and from there some spent time in Nam. Through just luck, I never went within 6,000 miles of there.

To your thoughts about being spared, I was one of those. Two of my friends went to Nam and didn't come back. Their names are on the Wall. My best childhood friend came back with PTSD, and later took his own life.

I don't know why I was spared, I just remember those guys, often but especially on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day.

Another friend who spent tme in Nam is now fighting terminal cancer. I'm glad to be able to spend time with him.