One Decision That Changed My Life

As graduation from high school approached in 1957, I expected that military service was probably in my future.

I had no idea that one decision would eventually place me five feet from President John F. Kennedy with a camera in my hands.

I had been considering continuing in construction but that could quickly be interrupted by a draft notice. It was time for a decision.

Even though my relationship with my dad in the construction business left much to be desired, it was a good income, and a partnership was a good possibility

A friend shared that he had joined the National Guard and that I should consider it.

I checked it out and committing to eight years of National Guard service removed you from the draft list. I decided to join after graduation.

Then a change in the draft rules was announced for after April. The new rules required everyone joining the National Guard to serve six months of active military service and then five and one-half years in the National Guard.

I decided to join the National Guard in February and committed to eight years of service.

At first, it was just two hours one evening every week in uniform and two summer training at a military base. That was quickly changed to a full weekend once a month. My first assignment was heavy mortar training.

The mortar was a large, rifled barrel weapon that fired explosive projectiles which…