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Kingston,Mi | Jan. 20th, 1972 was cold as is today. I reported to the Selective Service Office in Caro, Mi for a bus ride to the induction center in Detroit. After a day of medical exams and other activities, it was time to stand with the other inductees at attention, right hand held up and repeat the oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States. With that done, I was handed a bundle with all the records for this last bus out of Detroit and boarded a chartered bus for Ft. Knox. Some time after we were in Ohio on I 75, the bus driver provided a public service announcement to the effect if you were in possession of marijuana, you might want to "dispose of it" before the Army finds it. Down went half of the windows and a fair amount of the future Army privates lit up and spent their stash.
That potential problem solved, we lumbered on toward Ft. Knox, crossing the Ohio River and struggling up the Kentucky side with the mighty GMC engine screaming and the constant downshifting by the bus driver until we reached flatter ground. At reception station we were the last bus of the night, everyone wanted to go to sleep including the Army staff. They explained the amnesty box and what should go in there, knives, Playboy magazines and other contraband. Then another oath and of to our first night in a barracks.
3 years later on Jan. 19th, 1975, I drove my brand new 1975 Duster off of Ft. Belvoir Va. loaded with my possessions. I had packed the car the night before and made 2 large thermoses of coffee, signed out with the C.Q. and the N.C.O.I.C.. Had my discharge papers in hand and a few friends to see me off. A stopped in Maryland for windshield washer fluid and I continued my drive thru Maryland in second gear due to 6 inches of snow and drivers who were unaccustomed to the phenomena. Once on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I was able to shift into 3rd. 18 Hours later, 1 gallon of coffee and a stop at every rest area in Ohio, I arrived at my parents place.
Edited by BOGTROTTER 1/20/2025 06:47
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REFLECTION ON JAN.20TH 1972
