In 1961, I joined the Army for three years, and President John F. Kennedy was my commander in chief. Russia and Cuba got together and caused many problems. In 2010, at my 50th class reunion, a friend and classmate discussed our military service. He joined the Navy after high school and was aboard an aircraft carrier going to Japan, but when Russia and Cuba started up, he was sent off the coast of Cuba. No geisha girls there.
I was stationed in Alaska for 18 months, and the summers were awesome except for the mosquitoes. The winters were brutal and showed no mercy, and the three coldest days we spent in tents were 72 degrees below zero. We had many alert standbys and bug-outs, and they would last from three days to 33 days. The 10-man tent became our home.
After 30 days out with only C-rations to eat and melting snow for water and coffee, the barracks looked like a three-star hotel. After a hot shower and meal, it looked like a five-star hotel. I spent my last year in the service at Fort Hood, Texas, 2nd Armored Division, 19th Artillery.
Nov. 22, 1963, started like any Army day, and we knew the president was going to be in Dallas. After lunch, there was word that the president had been shot. We all spent the rest of the day and evening in the day room at Fort Hood in front of the TV.
We all died a little that day. But, through it all, we learned to live. President Kennedy was a leader we admired, trusted and respected. May he rest in peace.
Please thank the veterans, those who gave their lives for our country and freedom, and pray for those men and women now serving. Freedom is not free. God bless the USA. President Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Let’s do it and all move forward to serve our country!
Bill Miller
Bayfield
