Now that is my kind of poetry, it rhymes. Great job, I can feel all the emotions of a kid off to the service.

A great poem with such clear remembrances of the past. I think we women missed something by not having been in the war services, well except at desk jobs.

Very much matches my recollections of Army entry and basic training in 1958. However, you recall going to sleep that first night hearing your heart beat. I remember hearing men crying during that night. Perhaps it was the first time away from home for them.

Gabby, I dropped a tear or two while at the airport. I wrote about that too. Yes, there was crying that first night in the barracks. When I heard it I determined nobody was going to see or hear me cry. I dove in to try to be the best at everything we had to do.

Thanks for sharing such wonderful memories. Interesting what some people remember.

You wrote that so well. Your poem reminded me of all those old patriotic songs we used to sing for each branch of the military, especially,"Off we go into the wild blue yonder, flying high into the sky..."

Herm,

When I see your name I know I am in for a wonderful trip down Memory Lane with you.

This poem touched me so much because I remember my two brothers going away to war when they were still in their teens.

You have a talent for capturing your reader and making them join right into the adventure with you.

Well written, Herm.

Thank you for the generosity of your comments. Don't know if I'll do anymore of these, so here are a couple facts that I would have needed to find a way to include.

My mother drove me to Ft. Hayes. I was feeling sorry my dad hadn't felt to make arrangements to do that. I could have used his strength. When we got to the airport I was feeling pretty low. This wasn't a trip I really wanted to take.

I was reading post cards in a gift shop to occupy my mind until time to leave. I felt like I was being watched, but I wasn't going to steal a card. No, it wasn't that. It was my father standing off to the side watching me. He'd gone to work extra early so he could leave in time to see me off at the airport. When he came over and took my hand is when I dropped a couple tears. He gave it a firm grip, put his other hand on my shoulder and told me to lift my head and be strong. I looked at his face and saw the man I wanted to be. I steeled myself for whatever was to come.

The other thing is that after basic graduation, I was disappointed because my orders didn't come for another three weeks. When they did I was heart broken because they said I was to report to tech school in Mississippi within 48 hours.

I didn't get back home for some leave for nine, I say 9 months. These are stories I've written, but not with rhyme.

Great way to tell your story Herm. I had tear in my eye reading it, thinking of young men going to serve in any armed service is such a generous gift to a nation. I have family including my Dad who served in WW11 and a couple of Uncles in WW1. Having reently been writing and researching family history your poem bought it all back. Did you marry your sweetheart Herm? perhaps that could be your next poem.

You've told your story really well. Reminds me of a visit we made to Lackland Air Force Base in 1948 to see a new recruit -- loved son, brother. This young girl had to sleep in the car that hot night -- it would have been Sept. or Oct., I think. I'm not sure I slept. I just remember I never before saw so many and such big mosquitoes in my life.