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Hooha from... Greenville Ohio?
A walk down memory lane
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- Many of you have been reading, as I have, the columns by
Brandy Lewis. They took me down a road I once traveled many years ago.
As you read this, she is in Georgia with her son Cade, as he has now
graduated from Army basic training.
I know how proud she is of him. There are times she doesn't have
to say a word, especially on those days after she gets a letter from
him. Those are the days I can look at her and just tell by the
expression on her face that she has received a letter from him.
That brings me to my thoughts.
It was June of 1976. I was two weeks out of high school and I left the
recruiting center in Piqua to catch a train to Cincinnati with my final
destination being Great Lakes Illinois and the Navy Recruit Training
Command.
I remember how my mother beamed with pride even though the tears flowed
down her face. Her oldest child was leaving the nest to make his mark
in life.
I wrote home as often as I could, letting my family know I was okay and
doing fine. Yes, I was homesick but this was the path I chose for
myself. Nine weeks went by fast and the next thing I knew we were
taking our final physical training test.
I was in pretty good shape in those days and passing the test was a
piece of cake for me even though others struggled. It wasn't an easy
nine weeks but I had made it look easy when it counted the most for me.
Company 926 was ready for the next level.
I remember calling home to tell mom and dad the date of the graduation
ceremony. Mom was so happy, it was almost like I could hear her voice
from Hollansburg itself. I really didn't need the phone anymore.
They made the trek there to watch me graduate. Our company was a
special units company. We marched in many parades and even at the state
fair in Wisconsin. We carried the states flags. I carried the
Oklahoma state flag and mom could see me when we passed in front of the
review stand at graduation.
That weekend was spent at a campground and I really enjoyed that time.
Mom was happy she was able to spend a few days with me but didn't much
care for the fact I was going to Norfolk, Virginia and was going to be
on a ship. Three and a half years onboard the aircraft carrier, the USS
John F. Kennedy, was the experience of a lifetime.
I'm sure Brandy will experience many of the same emotions as my mother
did in 1976. This will be a special time for her and Cade as well. No
matter where this young man goes in the future, I know it will be one
adventure after another.
Good luck Cade.
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