I was 1-A for the draft so I went down to the Marine recruiter and signed up. Shot at and missed, #%^@ at and hit a few times. Was sent down to the Army jump school in Ft. Benning, and later went through "Sub-Ops" in Key west before heading over to Vietnam. Served with Delta 1/3 in the mountains off the DMZ and then with India 3/1 west of Da Nang, with a 3-4 week TDY with a CAP unit. Got out on my return home but later joined the Army National Guard and did 20 years with them. Proud of all my service and happy for the experiences it gave me. I believe the draft would be good for all young people. Military (any branch) teaches them responsibility and p***e in one self, self discipline and p***e in oneself. As in anything, you get out what you put in. My oldest made a career of the Navy and my youngest did one enlistment in the Air Force before deciding it wasn't the career he wanted.

As of late, I have been posting others' letters/articles from Reminisce Magazine. The following is a letter I received from my Dad while on the USS Sanctuary in 1968...just a few days after my arrival in Viet Nam. It remains one of the most memorable in my life. I had not been raised by Dad and having spent rare time together, I hardly knew him prior to the last two years of high school. Dad (likely as a result of being a WWII/Korean Vet) was a hard man. Over the years, I had often (in my mind) questioned his thoughts of/for me. This letter went a long way in answering those questions and bolstering confidence in my value and worth to him. It served as an elixir to my heart, mind and soul.
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Dear Lon,

I got your 1st letter yesterday and answered same a few minutes ago. June then called, read me your letter to Kenny in which you said you were rec**ping on a hospital ship. I thank God your wounds have had no permanent damaging effects and prayerfully trust that you have a speedy recovery. I called Mike and sent him over to a f**g company to get you a Texas f**g which we will ship to you today or tomorrow.

As you have already learned...an areal or artillery bombardment is a traumatic and frightening experience, because of the patterns used. The density of coverage and the overwhelming power levied against you and the fact that there is no defense except to just hit the deck, hang on and pray. Having shared the experience many times, I can well understand the natural feelings of fear, frustration and helplessness that one feels. If your recovery is good, I suppose you will be back on the lines within a few weeks. I wish to God you could get a "survey," but understand how the machinery operates.

I wrote Don several times to the effect that heroes are made and not born...that, in a sense, every combat veteran is a hero if the word means or connotes a spirit of manliness. The every day life experiences of the foot soldier...not counting the extraordinary situations, require the very best of a man's fibre in strength, will and determination. Unquestionably, you satisfy all of those requirements and will account for yourself in an admirable manner, so...do not undertake to do more than you are directed to do. The Corps is the best judge of where they need you and what you should do in the line of service.

I can visualize the smile fleeting across your face as I write...don't be a foolish volunteer on extraordinary assignments, but I say it nevertheless. ('Skull' knows!) If there is anything we can send you, let us know. Of course, we will all write you often and regularly. June will bake some pogey-bait and cookies for you and ship same.

I bought a 12-gauge pump shotgun...plan to go out when bird-duck season opens...sure wish you were here to go with us, but we will lay our plans accordingly when you get home.

May I say that I am especially proud of you son, and I know that you will continue to manifest the finest traditions of the Corps.

God bless and keep you.

Love, Dad