Page 111 - Stand Down Vietnam

As for the draft dodgers, I figure that if they ran
away, they should not have been allowed back in the
states.

I was brought up to be patriotic, I salute the flag
because I respect it and our nation. I stand for the
National Anthem and the Star-Spangled Banner; none of
this kneeling crap, we showed respect.

My mom didn’t think I was serious about joining the
military. But, when I showed up with the Navy
recruiter, she signed the papers. I took my tests on a
Monday, that Wednesday I took my physical and by Friday
I was on my way to Great Lakes for fourteen weeks of
basic training.

My mom was happy I was doing something for my country,
but she still worried about me. She supported me and
what I’d done. I can’t say that she had an opinion
about the Vietnam War. But she supported me.

My little baby girl, Pamela, (now 50 years old) was
three months old when I came home from Vietnam. My wife
always thought we were doing wrong by going over to a
foreign country. I feel like it was something that had
to be done. My son, Daryl, and daughter know that I
went over and did my job.

I always enjoyed coming home.