Posted by John
on December 1, 2008, 9:19 pm, in reply to "LOL.... "
Admin
I started to volunteer for the Marines when I graduated high school in 1965. That was when the buildup was coming in Nam, but before the really ugly stuff was happening. My family and friends talked me out of it. I was already racing then, and had a partial scholarship to Clemson on the track and field team. Believe it or not, I was pretty good at the 100 yard dash back in those days.
I did sign up for selective service, and went back to school. I guess I had a deferrment while I was a full time student. I started to join the ROTC but track and racing barely left time to pass my classes. I was off racing somewhere 2 or 3 nights a week while I was in college. I did ok at the track meets, but wasn't really spectacular. I racked my knee missing a hurdle in my senior year, and dropped off the track team for good. I went racing another couple of days a week, when I could afford it.
I graduated in 1970, fully expected to be drafted, but for some reason my number just never came up. I lost a lot of high school and college friends in Nam. I kept racing, went to work welding for Springs Industries on their plant equipment. My mom was always embarrassed and tried to tell her friends that I worked in the office, since I was a college graduate. I hated offices, still do, and took a job welding instead.
Yes, my friend, you are speaking to a graduate of Clemson University. I majored in mechanical engineering and minored in English, of all things.
8
Message Thread:
« Back to thread