One for old Chuck

Here I sit in the Company day room, annoyed with the Army and anxious to get home. My third cup of coffee on the table next to me. Walker Texas Ranger is on daytime tv and I'm listening to Swamp Thing. These next few minutes have the potential for absolute destruction.


I'm smiling a little bit to myself listening to Robert scream that I'm going back to Square One. You're so wise, my friend! I am indeed going back to square one this evening. Hopefully I will come around though. I'd hate to think that I really am done.


Anyways(listening to Rainer Maria at this point).

I'm looking at my DD 214 (form that houses all of your military education credits, accomplishments, awards, special skill designators, and the like) and wondering what my grandfather was feeling like 60 years ago here at Ft. Dix when he came back from Europe in WW2. Was he convinced that he had done his part? That war would no longer be used as a solution? I don't know. I sure wish somebody could convince me of such things though. I understand that his Army and my Army might are two completely different things, but I hope he would be proud of me for this.
Which brings me to my next point....

I don't want to sound arrogant or ungrateful but I am kind of annoyed with being publicly "thanked" for my service. Its one thing to get a personal little "hey, thanks" or smile or whatever, but standing on a soap box and flexing your "patriotism"...I just wish the people who do things like this would use that energy to give their neighborhood bum a sandwich or plant a tree or something else of greater substance than tickling our egos.


I can't wait to get home. I am so pumped but also so nervous. I hope I make some good decisions this year. We shall see!!!