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| USAF Photo |
Fifty years ago.
Yes, fifty, a half century, five decades ago, two score and ten, i.e. a long, long time ago.
Wow.
Since that day, I have retired from the Air Force and gone on to a second career, from which I retired last December. Time, it seems, is racing past as if it is in a hurry to get somewhere. I, on the gripping hand, am content to take my time, stop and smell the roses, and generally regard life as something to be savored and enjoyed.
But gee, fifty years?
Where does the time go?
The photo above is my flight at Basic Training, 3708 Squadron, Flight 512. I am in the front row, second from the left. Man, I look so young, no doubt there's more hair under my hat than there is now.
That's for sure.
Upcoming Events
A couple more episodes from Dakota Viking in the "Black Cat" saga, which I am enjoying immensely are sitting in the editor's office. I wanted to share JB's post before doing anything else, it was a busy weekend. Fun but harrowing in a way.
Those will be forthcoming the next couple of days. DV has been very prolific as of late, I'm enjoying his stuff (not to mention the time off for myself) but I'll get back to writing soon. No, really.
We went north for to see my Mother on Mothers Day last weekend. She's 94 and is forgetful as older people tend to get. Her cat, a lovely lad named Pepé wasn't looking too good either. My Mom is pretty strong, Pepé not so much.
My kid brother, The Musician, who retired some time ago, made the decision to move in with our Mom and see to her needs a year or so ago. He texted me on Monday to let me know that Pepé had passed that morning.
He hadn't looked well, at least I had the chance to say goodbye to him. He was a good cat and a great companion to my Mom. I fear for how she's going to take that loss.
Sigh ...
All seems to be drifting with the wind ...
Think I'll go cut the grass, then have a beer.
I've got the time, why not?
My best friend enjoyed Lackland during the summer and fall of "71 after we graduated high school that late spring.....indeed......Time doth fly Sarge. Good times to share with loved ones........:)
ReplyDeleteWe graduated high school the same year.
DeleteI was there in '68. I find it odd that everyone is all smiles in your photo, yet everyone in my grad photo was scowling and looking mean and tough. Then I remembered, the Viet Nam war was over in '75. I woulda smiled too! You ask where does the time go? Where does it come from?
ReplyDeleteWhen ordered to smile, one smiles.
Delete50 years ago I graduated from high school. 35 years ago I married Lisa. THAT is hard to take...can't be that long! 10 years at the most!
ReplyDeleteTime flies, at Mach.
DeleteAll that and it's the day Lewis & Clark left on their journey in 1804 too!
ReplyDeleteYep, Sarge was one of the guides. Man! The stories he’s got!
Delete😉
Rob - I had forgotten that. In my defense, that was a while ago.
DeleteAny Mouse - Most of which I've forgotten. 😉
DeleteSarge, Happy enlistment anniversary! Time sure does pass swiftly, doesn’t it? I remember the day my Dad gave me my commissioning oath like it was yesterday. Turn 70 in a couple of weeks and have our 43 anniversary in a couple of months. Sure doesn’t seem like it.
ReplyDeletejuvat
70? Why, you're just a young'un. 😎
DeletePassed my 50th anniversary of graduation from Parris Island about 18 months ago and 52nd of enlisting last week. A bit of contrast might be in order though; a guy I worked with enlisted USAF and we compared.Boot Camp/Basic. For punishment he and his bunch were denied their TV privileges for the day; our corresponding penalty was "watching TV" which gym people now know as "planks". One is on " elbows and toes" body rigid; the DI would say "change the channel" or "turn it up" and one would have to take one arm and make the "adjustments". Elbows and toes is difficult; one elbow and toes somewhat moreso.
ReplyDeleteOne of our DI's said " You hogs may not be smart when you leave here; but you're sure as hell gonna be strong". Right as rain, he was...
Boat Guy
After a year of Army ROTC, USAF basic training was a piece of cake. Basically we learned how to march and fold our clothes.
DeleteSeriously.
Happy Enlistment Anniversary Sarge!
ReplyDeleteMowing and a beer and reading sounds like the perfect way to spend a day.
Out in the sun, getting some physical activity in, then washing it down with an adult beverage is something I recommend.
Deletemay you have at least another 25+++ years to continue smelling the roses in good health
ReplyDeleteyou started me thinking about Sheppard in the early summer of '66 OBMTM #??; I had taken my oath (which I, too, still follow to this very day) in the fall of '62 with 4 years (continued top grades required) deferred under a 2-S before the requisite two-year active (and, no, Uncle Sam didn't pay for the prior 4 years).
my wife, trying desperately to condense what we're going to transport to our greatly reduced living quarters, ran across the Sheppard photo: "OMG! is that you? you look like you've just gotten out of Buchenwald!" needless to say, I've put on a few avoirdupois since.
Yeah! I agree. "Time flies."
And, now that I've been retired for 15 years, I have a big problem remembering the not-so-great times; they were 90% great times.
may you enjoy your retirement years at least as s much as I've enjoyed mine: problem is previously busy people rarely find the time to stop and smell the roses - even (particularly) when "retired."
Thanks, boron.
DeleteSound wisdom.
Nice picture; some ten years after I left the Army. I can only imagine an Army NCO losing control with all those tops not tucked and pants not bloused. Don't see much shine on those boots. Different strokes?
ReplyDeleteAir Force, not army. Big differences.
Delete"on the gripping hand"
ReplyDeleteI read that book many years ago, remember I liked it. Can't remember the actual title. I should maybe look it up. (Now there's another genre to look at)
My muse is tickling my brain, maybe I can bang one out today.
The Mote in God's Eye, Pournelle and Niven. Followed by the novel using that phrase as its title. Great science fiction.
DeleteI use addall.com to find what I want: ridiculous prices and even more ridiculous shipping, but, then again, I lend out my copy at even higher prices
DeleteA good source.
DeleteAs the song says 'just gotta keep on keeping on', or as as Churchill was alleged to have said 'keep on bu**ering on'.
ReplyDeleteRetired
Well, Sir Winston could certainly turn a phrase.
DeleteI could tell you a story about drifting with the wind....Congratulations on achieving longevity. I look across the verdant landscape of my sister's lawn where they have decided to follow the 'no mow May' policy and decamped to Italy for a vacation. I think the city will be heard from shortly because I swear there was a leopard in their yard yesterday. I just mowed between the rain drops. Keeping the gripping hand alive is harder these days since I never see Niven and Pournelle in the bookstore anymore. A book like the Mote is good for another 100 years at least.
ReplyDeleteIt's one I reread periodically, a great tale, well told.
DeleteI got out of the army December 19 74. In some ways it seems like yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about it much one way or the other at the time, but looking back it was some of the happiest carefree times of my life
Although I was a lowly E-4 I was proud to wear the uniform
And I thank you for that.
DeleteIs this your 'graduation' photo? When my RTC Company completed boot camp in Orlando in December '72 our photo was in Dress Whites. Wdstk
ReplyDeleteNot a graduation photo, we were in blues for graduation. No photo taken as I recall.
Delete