I grew up in a rural area of central Wisconsin,graduating from Amherst High School (total enrollment,224 approximately). Three days after graduation,I joined the United States Army for two years,knowing that I could not afford college without working for a few years (which would result in me being drafted),or the aid of the G.I. Bill. My older brother had just returned from Vietnam a couple of months before and strongly advised against enlisting for any longer than required. He told me that if you like it,they will be happy to let you re-enlist;if you don’t,they won’t let you quit.
I went through basic at Ft. Campbell,Kentucky,and Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Lewis,Washington. I had volunteered for Airborne and found that jumping from planes was as big of a thrill as I expected. I,along with 13 others,were mistakenly sent to Ft. Lee,VA instead of Vietnam after Jump School. It took the Army five months to straighten things out,and I arrived in Vietnam in February of 1969. I was assigned to Charlie Company,3rd Battalion,503rd Infantry Brigade,173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade,(Separate). I served a year in the field with the “Herd”,primarily as a Radio Operator.
I came back home unwounded physically,but deeply changed. I attended the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point,failing out after a couple of years of heavy partying. I eventually returned and graduated with honors in 1977. I became involved in the veterans’anti-war movement,and eventually in a number of other veteran-related activities. Those volunteer activities lead to a career as a veteran’s advocate. Among other things,I served as State President of VVA when it was first formed,served as Chairman of the board and as Executive Director of “The Highground”veterans memorial,as Portage County Veterans Service Officer,and as the Veterans and Military Case worker for a US Senator. I always had an interest in writing,and joining with the Deadly Writers Patrol as helped that interest grow and flourish. I thank them for letting me be part of the Patrol.