MY MOM SIGNED FOR ME, AS I WAS ABOUT 5 DAYS SHY OF 17, WHEN I CAUGHT A BUS TO HOUSTON,TEXAS.

WHEN I ARRIVED, THEY TOOK US TO THE SAM HOUSTON HOTEL. I HAD NEVER BEEN IN A HOTEL SO IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

ON MY 17TH BIRTHDAY A GROUP OF US WERE SWORN IN. THE NEXT DAY, WE WERE PUT ON A TRAIN.

COMING FROM TEXAS WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN WE ARRIVED IN COLORADO SPRINGS BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF SNOW. WE WERE OUTSIDE IN THAT WEATHER DURING JANUARY ANS FEBRUARY OF 1960.

AT THE RECEPTION CENTER WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE THINGS WE NEEDED TO BUY AT
THE PX. I REMEMBER SAYING THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY AND BEING TOLD THAT IT
WOULD BE FINANCED.

IT CONSISTED OF A RAZOR AND OTHER TOILET ARTICLES FOR US TO PLACE IN THE TOP OF OUR FOOTLOCKERS. THE COST WAS $7.00. IT WAS DEDUCTED FROM OUR FIRST CHECK WHICH WAS $78.00.