After basic and commo training dad went to Ft. Campbell for jump school.  After reporting he told the 1st SGT that he needed to go pick up his family.  The Top said OK obviously thinking the family was somewhere near Ft. Campbell when my mom and I were living with her parents in Elwood, IN over 150 miles away. 

By the time Dad got back and got us settled into an apartment near the post he was AWOL.  In the mean time a young trainee assinged to his barracks for jump school had tried to cover for him even though he didn't know him.  His name was Art Hill.  Eighteen year old Art Hill had set up my Dads locker and made his bunk for him but the 1st Sgt found out.  Dad got extra duty before he even started ground week.

Art became great friends with my Dad and Mom.  He babysitted for me when my parents went out. Dad got out after his mandatory two years, established his own business and was ver successful. Art made the Army a career but over the years he and Dad stayed in touch and every once in awhile Art would vist us when he was on leave.

Twenty five years later I was a PVT-2 reporting to Jump school at Ft. Benning.  After reporting in at my assinged training company I was up stairs in the barracks getting mu locker and bunk squared away.  The guy that had the barracks duty came in and told me I was to report to the training Bn. SGM right away.

I hustled over to the training Bn HQ building and reported.  Imagine my surprise when I reported to the Bn. SGM and found it was Art Hill. Art let me know I could come home with him during the weekends while I was at jump school.  He told me not to let any of the black hats know I knew him or I would be singled out for their special attention during jump school. 

Well somehow by the begining of ground week the black hats found out and I spent a few rather unpleasant sessions in the gig pit during that time.

For my first military jump Art arranged to be the first jumper and I was tapped out after him.

After the fifth jump as I ran up to turn up my chute and get in formation to get my wings I was shocked to see Mom & Dad.  I had no idea they were coming down for graduation. 

De Oppresso Liber

LOAD CLEAR! LOAD CLEAR!

To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Elbert Hubbard

I'm Surprised Panama's still sea level, after all the Push Ups I did down there.

SDMF!

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on"....Thomas Jefferson