In 1967, I was at the Naval Training Center in San Diego in Company 212. My fondest memory was graduation day.

My worst memory was the gas chamber. My gas mask had something wrong with it—a poor fit or a leak. When the tear gas came, I was choking. We had to recite our General Orders in the chamber. I couldn’t breath. I didn’t dare complain because I would be blamed.

I also never said anything about the terribly infected blister on my left foot. I tried to blend in and never complained because I suspected that the consequences would be worse if I spoke up. Graduation day was definitely the best day I had in 1967.

John Dowd
Brinnon, WA

American Legion Post 26
Port Townsend, WA
Member ID No. 204365819