VETS, show a pic while in the Service..and show some Pride

I am fourth from the left. 1988 aboard the USS AMERICA CV-66

 

Some where in Nam1968

 

Bosnia - 1999-2000

NYC September 2001



Iraq 2003-2004

 

Camp Lejeune in the rain 1998.

 

OIF 2008 82ND ABN

 

Jungle rot, 1968.

 

My ITV (Improved Tow Vehicle) crew participating in “Team Spirit 1985”.
This was somewhere in South Korea. This was one of those “war games” that always makes the north nervous. That’s me on top with the goofy grin

 

1985 Eglin AFB, F-15 incentive ride

 

US Army 1985-88, 27E (T.O.W./Dragon Missile Systems Repair)
Basic Training: Ft. McClellan, AL [now closed]
Advanced Individual Training: Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL
Permanent Duty: Ft. Irwin, CA (National Training Center)

Basic Training official company picture. I am very top row, furthest left.

Some of my closest friends, near the end of Basic, when we were allowed to go to the PX and buy non-essential things, I bought a 35mm camera. I am furthest right in this pic

If you've ever been to Ft. Irwin, (NTC), you've passed by Painted Rock. Although by now, I'm sure it has a shitload more unit emblems than what it had in 1986

The Motor Pool building, of the then 581st Maintenance Company, where I worked (Ft. Irwin - NTC)

Not the best pic, but this was going to annual rifle [re]qualification day, Ft. Irwin (NTC)

 

MOS school @ NAS Memphis

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if one of my units gave you something to fix

It never failed… some officer would read in a manual that the T.O.W. was “man portable” because some engineers figured out how to put straps on the components. Next thing you know, a squad of Grunts is carrying a bunch of fragile stuff through the desert at night (Nothing is Grunt proof)

Thank you for keeping us in fighting condition

 

Bragg '86

 

36 years ago today I got on a plane in Los Angeles, ended up at Ft. McClellan, AL (Anniston). I was In Da Army!!

 

On the 23rd of this month 50 years ago I left L.A. and arrived in San Antonio. The next six years were interesting to say the least.

 

Was that a good decision?

 

Was enlisting a good thing? Well look at it this way. Those who served, even if they were a REMF, can get up every morning, look at themselves in the mirror and know they earned this country.

Those that didn’t look at themselves in the mirror and know they are enjoying the fruits of this country and know the guilt of freeloading off the blood of others.