What Was I Thinking

When you are nineteen years old you think you are up to taking on any challenge and will be successful at it. At least that's what I thought.

What was I thinking.

I needed to be challenged. Where do you think life can be challenging in different ways? The military of course.

What was I thinking.

After going through the normal process of basic training and advanced training,mine was the infantry. That's where all the action is and the chances were very good I would be sent to a "Theater of Operations" in some distant place in the world that was involved in, as they say,"Armed Conflict".

What was I thinking.

The normal tour of duty varies depending on the conflict. Some completed their entire tour, and others of us got to come home early. I was joined on the flight back to the States by ten others who also where getting an early out.

I was in country less than two months. Hardly enough time to figure out what I was supposed to be doing there. Next thing I knew my tour was cut short and I was on my way back to the States. It was a long flight, but time didn't matter to me or others on the flight.

After we landed and the required protocol and procedures were completed, we all went our separate ways to our hometowns, cities or wherever we called home. None of us said goodbye. Words were not spoken.

When I reached my final destination there wasn't anything that could be done for me.I was home at last.

On Memorial Day my family will fly the flag that covered my casket. I will be forever young.

What was I thinking.