When I was drafted in Feb. of 1966, the services were going through a massive build up for Vietnam, 250,000 new troops a month. Since normal basic training facilities were maxed out, I was in a group that was sent to Fort Stewart, Ga. for basic training.

We were the first recruits on base since WWII, and they were scrambling to make ready for us. There was not 1 Drill Instructor on post when we arrived, although 2 did show up by the time we finished 60 days later.

We thought our basic was bad, but after hearing other soldier's stories, we didn't have it so bad, after all. We even had 1 of our group graduate on crutches, but we made pretty good soldiers.

The ones I've kept in contact with even made good citizens, proud for our time to serve.