British Motorcycle Gear

Categories: Back In The Day

Enjoy the Day

By Joe Berk

It was 50 years ago that I joined the U.S. Army.  I went to college on an ROTC scholarship and graduated with a Regular Army commission, the same as the people who graduate from West Point.  Three days before graduation, the Army told me my first duty assignment would be staying at Rutgers and getting a master’s degree, all courtesy of Uncle Sugar.  Guys I went to high school with were going to Vietnam; the Army sent me to grad school.  It didn’t feel right, but it was what it was.

The ROTC scholarship was a sweet ride; grad school was an even better deal.  Uncle Sam picked up the entire tab, paid me a housing allowance, and I drew my full pay as a second lieutenant.  As I recall, it was something like $436 per month.  I couldn’t believe how sweet life was and how I was rolling in dough (grad school was actually easier than undergraduate school). Three of the guys I went to high school with were killed in Vietnam.  Several more served over there.

Memorial Day has always been a special day for me, and not just because of what I wrote about above or my time in the Army.  I think about the guys I knew and I remember them.  You don’t have to have served to do that; all of us should take the day, enjoy it, and think about the people this special day honors: Those who were killed in action fighting America’s wars.

Enjoy the day, my friends.

Joe Berk

Recent Posts

25 and 50 Yard ARX .45 ACP Results

By Joe Berk I am giving the .45 ACP ARX 118-grain bullets a thorough evaluation…

2 days ago

Winchester 231 and Alliant Power Pistol .45 ACP ARX Results

By Joe Berk When you’re a retired engineer who likes to play with guns…well, read…

5 days ago

India 2025: Jain Temples, Crowds, and More Culture Shock

By  Mike Huber India 2025: Part VI Waking up the next day was a little…

1 week ago

Dialing In A .45 ACP ARX Load

By Joe Berk This is what happens when you’re retired, it’s raining, and you have…

2 weeks ago

India 2025: Alawar to Jaipur, Step Wells, and Forts

By Mike Huber India: Part V As I woke up in my dark hotel room…

2 weeks ago

9mm and .45 ACP ARX Load Testing

By Joe Berk I recently received my order of Inceptor ARX 118-grain .45 ACP bullets.…

3 weeks ago