I joined the Air Force after graduating high school. The oldest of 7, there just wasn't money for nursing school. I remembered the words of JFK: "Ask not what your country can do for you but what can you do for your country."
My father had served in the Army during World War II and was called back into duty when the Korean conflict started.
The recruiter had come to school and explained the benefits of joining; the GI Bill caught my attention. So on Jan. 6 1966, I took the oath. After discharge, my husband and I went back home to where he had lived in Iowa. I started beauty school under the GI Bill, became pregnant and the chemical smells just were not good, so had to quit. We moved to Indiana a few years later. I applied for LPN school; they had 1 opening and since I was GI Bill, I was accepted. In the meantime I found out about a little program from my father's service where they would pay 1/2 or 3/4 of tuition and books. So I applied for that. My nursing career took off after graduation. It was a good thing I had the education as I lost my husband at 34, and was able to raise our children with very little change in living situation. I am so thankful for the time I spent serving my country.