Page 113 - Firehouse Pond

TOP had a way about himself and a little saying: He would gather all the

troops around in a circle; point to his rank chevron (three stripes on top, a
diamond in the middle, and three stripes on the bottom), and he’d say:

“Just remember gentlemen, diamonds are trump, and I have a full
house. It is my way, or you lose. I will protect you – I will train you.”

I appreciated and respected this man for the way he looked out for all of us. I

studied hard and worked my way up to the rank of Staff Sergeant E6. TOP
would be responsible (directly and indirectly) for many aspects of my U.S.
Army life well into the future.

I did not serve In-Country in Vietnam. I served my Combat Service Support
with some heavy-hitting units. I saw training incidents (mishaps) that

maimed, disfigured, and killed. I served with soldiers who were broken, went
absent without leave (AWOL), and in a few cases committed suicide.

In short, I witnessed horrific situations and circumstances often involving our

own military.