Page 97 - Firehouse Pond

THE CALL TO DUTY

Throughout the course of the next three years, most of the guys who went
through basic with me were placed on “levy” (called to duty) for service in

Vietnam.

Twelve of the twenty-six came home with major non-combat related injuries,
seven were killed in not directly combat-related action and therefore no

Purple Heart on their chests.

Two had committed suicide. The suicides were classified as “Not in the Line

of Duty”. The soldier’s families received no benefits other than the payment
of a paltry life insurance policy, small payment for a lost soul.

I do not know the status of the other four.

I was the only one to not serve in Vietnam.