This is the Army Mr. Jones!
This is the Army, Mr. Jones! “ No private rooms or telephones.” (Irving Berlin song from a 1942 musical) In 1960 the US had a compulsory military draft. In my opinion, it was a great system on many levels. It wasn’t totally equitable, but far more fair than the present system. If you were fortunate enough to be going college, you were deferred until graduation. Then it was time to be an officer and serve your country. It was February, 1960 and we were in a crowded cafe for breakfast in Petersburg, Virginia and my husband, wearing his uniform indicating his rank as 1 st lieutenant was being saluted. Having skipped basic training in Georgia – he had explained he wouldn’t be able to make it because he would be in Florida on his honeymoon. The powers that be said, “okay, just report to Petersburg after your honeymoon!” So here he was, knowing nothing about saluting, responding with, “How are you?” The situation was a source of discomfort for him and a cause of ...