Chapter II: Runaway Accomplished: Now What?

This is a photo of the barracks at Camp Roberts, Ca. There are two floors of double bunk beds on each floor. On the first floor there is a large latrine (bathroom) with a row of toilets against the wall with a large shower area where many men take a shower at one time. Everyone gets up at the same time (5:30). Living conditions for soldiers have improved over the years,

Seattle is a big city for a country boy. After living in a hotel for a few days Specialops8013 rented a room in an individual house. The renter was a seaman who goes to Alaska once or twice a month working on a boat. Specialops 8013 and he strike up a friendship. He called a friend who worked in a hardware store and managed to get Specialops8013 a job. He not only knew that he needed money, but did not want him roaming the streets. This worked out very well for 8013. The job was full time stocking, pricing and cleanup.

The man's name who helped 8013 was Jeb. J eb's girlfriend came over to do some cooking and cleaning while Jeb was gone. This made everything very pleasant for 8013. He did not know how lucky he was. As time went on Jeb encouraged 8013 to join the military. He was ex-navy. He was afraid that young people like 8013 would meet the wrong people and get into trouble. His younger brother was a paratrooper and loved it. 8013 was not so sure he wanted to jump out of planes. Jeb encouraged 8013 to go to the draft board and say it is his birthday and where does he sign up. 8013's birthday was actually coming up soon.

They made plans that if the board wanted to call him to use his number. He would answer as though he was 8013's dad. Jeb advised that when 8013 goes to the board office to act kind of scared.The birthday came and 8013 went to the board and declared that it was his birthday today, He completed tons of paper work. The board did call Jeb and he explained that he was separated from 8013's mother. He promised to get a birth certificate and take it in.

Well, it was an anxious 8-9 days before a letter came for 8013. He was to report for a physical. Then after another 8-9 days he received orders to report to nearby Fort Lewis. Wow! no turning back now.There a bus schedule for Fort Lewis. Goodbye's to Jeb and Angel, his girl friend.Fort Lewis is very large but everyone was escorted as they got off the bus. A very hectic 5 days and off to Camp Roberts in California. Oh! in uniform. Camp Roberts is a very large basic training camp in Central California near the coast. The parade ground was a square mile black topped. All of the marches were across the parade field. Lots of marches, drill, KP. bayonet training, weapons firing, hand-to-hand combat, exercise drill every morning at 6 AM.

The weeks went by. 8013 went to Los Angeles with a friend who lived there. Now that is a big city.8013 was 18 years old in the eyes of the Army so he was careful to act mature. He went of and practiced drills and stuff. Even went down to the obstacle course at night instead of drinking beer with other basics. It was dark and dangerous. However, it did help. One drill sergeant, who was a paratrooper toughened 8013 up. 8013 respected him and decided to be a paratrooper. The Sgt. said he would never make it.

Basic training is very difficult, both physically and mental. 8013 is only 16 years of age. Men were drafted up to age 35. Many living adjustments to be made. New things to be learned. New people and procedures to learn and live with. Leaders yelling at you and you can never talk back. Drill, drill and more drill of all kinds. Long marches in hot weather with heavy loads. Backpack, weapons, etc. Short breaks and up and at it. We are talking about miles here. The coast is flat but there are hills not far away.

Weekends were rather strange. On Saturday mornings there were parades. Soldiers could get passes to go to town. Not too much nearby. San Miquel was very small and had one of the Missions that the Spanish built when they owned California. Paso Robles was larger but some distance away. 8013 and a couple pf friends went. Saturday evening there would be beer drinking at the club. Some would drink beer and gamble around the barracks. This is the first time 8013 heard Mexican music. There were several Mexican men who had guitars. That would play loud and sing loud. A fight or two might bring some excitement,

Every now and then during training a soldier would give up. You couldn't help him and usually you never saw him again. Only one way to do anything: the Army way. Of course, once in awhile a soldier would get hurt or sick and he was taken care of. There were all types of men. Everything from someone who drank too much to men who blew up over minor things. There were very few incidents of sexual misbehavior. That was quickly corrected. Stealing was a minor but serious problem.
Finally, graduation day. A big ceremony. Everyone had their assignment.

8013 and two others were going to Fort Benning, Geogia for jump school. The others were going home prior to reporting to Fort. Benning. 8013's parents did not know where he was, dead or alive, in reform school or where. He always carried guilt over this and was tempted to call home but afraid to. He promised himself that he would call on his 18th birthday and visit as soon as possible. Although he tried not to think about it, he was homesick. If you have never tried it, it is a big strain behaving like what one thinks about adult behavior. Leisure time was the hardest.
Joking about and/or talking about females could leave big blanks in the younger one. Sometimes there would be no response. Being teased about sex could be deadly. How to react???

Army training is eternal. It starts in basic but never stops. Long marches get longer. (civilians call it hiking). Always carrying a weapon and other equipment. Try 5 miles on gravel and grass then a couple of miles on blacktop. Wow! that is hard on the legs and feet. Walking and then running and then walking some more. Basic was an introduction to all of this. Up hills and down.
Slopes and mountains,. Ground such as concrete, blacktop, sand, gravel and across streams.
Must learn how to care for blisters and callous and how to avoid them. One learns how to care for ones feet or suffer the consequences.

That is only one topic. There is the care of clothing, weapons, ammunition, your body, and everything around you. If you smoke you do not throw the butt on the ground. You learn how to field strip a cig and what a butt can is. You get the idea. Mom would sure come in handy now!!!
Posted by anonymous at 1:32 PM

http://www.google.com/profiles/jhd8013 View my complete profile

Chapter IV, Oh! I Want Those Wings

IV. Must Win Those Wings! One set is mine!

Like reaching for a star in the sky. Fear is a part of the game. In the whole history of Fort Benning there have been few injuries or deaths. Ok, that is good to know.
Does it help?

No. not much. 8013 had an intense fear of flying and falling. He was never in a plane before. This procedure is where you are hooked up and the chute opens for you. No rip cord. You packed a chute so you know how it opens.

They tell you if you think you are not going to jump do not get on the plane. Everyone hooks up and moves along to the door. Any hestitation near the door you are gone. Oh! once you hook up there in no way you can unhook.

8013 thought about running away. But you see so many people in uniform wearing wings. Some with wreaths and stars. That means many jumps. No one would predict that this scared kid would make many,many jumps in the future. Even night jumps. And you know what he became not only a master jumper but a master skydiver. Oh! by the way. Only a few brave souls in Russia and Germany were skydiving. Not a popular topic at this time. Most thought it was impossible.Now! who on this day would ever believe that? 8013 could not hide his fear until a Sgt. checked him over and said "you are a go and you will make it, see you are the ground." That did it. The fear lightened up.

The first jump was the toughest. Five more to go but it becme easier with each one. He made it with all of the rest of his class. This funny "dumb" kid with the blond hair and blue eyes. Nearly all of his teachers viewed him as a strange kid who will never make it.

The wings to a long drop. Hang on, you are in for one of the most amazing runs among amazing careers. Where ever you go, there you are. Is this true in this case?

Stop for a moment. You are 16 and a dumb kid like 8013. They think he is 18. Could you, would you trust all of this? Yes, you came downb a 50 foot cable and practiced hitting ground over and over, You know what to do with the chute which is blowing away from you while you are trying to get up. Thats a big open chute full of wind. Oh! not a strong wind as they never jump into a strong ground wind. Well, the firstone is no fun! Tomorrows another day.

Chapter III Basic After Basic

Army basic training is not easy. Just the simple task of adjusting is very difficult. Not only the requirements of the military but living with a bunch of strangers. Note the barracks above.They come from everywhere and all walks of life. Many do not want to be here. All kinds of personal habits that are strange to others. Some men are extremely peaceful and helpful. Others ready to fight and not very helpful. Lots to learn. Mental and physical. Forced to cooperate. A few wash out and go home. A few friends are made. A few friendships will last for years or in a few cases a lifetime. Specialops8013 had to be careful as he was afraid of exposure to his actual age. There are situations where you let your guard down. A strain to maintain it all of the time.A beer or two can have its effect too.Actually time went fast and transfer time was coming. Specialops8013 applied for paratrooper's school. He was passing basic with flying colors. Mostly blue for the Infantry.

The Sgt. that supported Specialops8013 was shipping overseas. He wanted 8013 to keep in touch and gave him his home address. He also confided in 8013 that he suspected that he was under age. He told him not to worry he just might make it.8013 is going to the Infantry's Paratrooper School, Fort Benning, Georgia. At the time that meant nothing to 8013. However, recruits are selected to go there.. Another long trip on a train. Again from one coast to the other.At this time 8013 did not know how much California will be a part of his future.

Only two others were selected to go to Fort Benning. The three would travel together.Columbus, Georgia, the nearest city to Fort Benning.. Greetings and acceptance were very different then at Camp Roberts. Now you are a soldier and expected to act like one. We thought that Camp Roberts was a tough place. The atmosphere here makes basic training look like play. Here you better understand what "Right Now" means. Here they expect you to understand and obey orders without hesitation. Takes a little adjusting. For any sign of failure or poorly exercised the soldier might be ordered, "Give me 15 or 20 or 25". This meant to get down where ever you were and do proper push ups in the ordered amount. Well, if you were smart you practiced push ups at every opportunity.

There are many training units at Ft. Benning, It is a giant base. Our Sgt. wanted us to stand out fromthe other units. They would have us show off. We often shared the parade ground, the shooting range, the obstacle course and the streets with others. Our Officers and Sgt were competing with the others. Most of the time we enjoyed it. We were the only ones wearing bounced boots. It looked like our pant legs were tucked into our boots but we had weight and rubberized bands that made them look Sharp. Over the years the others could do this too.The title should be "Super Basic After Basic."

Chapter II: Runaway Accomplished: Now What?

This is a photo of the barracks at Camp Roberts, Ca. There are two floors of double bunk beds on each floor. On the first floor there is a large latrine (bathroom) with a row of toilets against the wall with a large shower area where many men take a shower at one time. Everyone gets up at the same time (5:30). Living conditions for soldiers have improved over the years,Seattle is a big city for a country boy. After living in a hotel for a few days Specialops8013 rented a room in an individual house. The renter was a seaman who goes to Alaska once or twice a month working on a boat. Specialops 8013 and he strike up a friendship. He called a friend who worked in a hardware store and managed to get Specialops8013 a job. He not only knew that he needed money, but did not want him roaming the streets. This worked out very well for 8013. The job was full time stocking, pricing and cleanup.

The man's name who helped was Jeb. Jeb's girlfriend came over to do some cooking and cleaning while Jeb was gone. This made everything very pleasant for 8013. He did not know how lucky he was.As time went on Jeb encouraged 8013 to join the military. He was ex-navy. He was afraid that young people like 8013 would meet the wrong people and get into trouble. His brother was paratrooper and loved it. 8013 was not so sure he wanted to jump out of planes. Jeb encouraged 8013 to go to the draft board and say it is his birthday and where does he sign up. 8013's birthday was coming up soon.

They made plans that if the board wanted to call him to use his number. He would answer as though he was 8013's dad. Jeb advised that when 8013 goes to the board office to act kind of scared.The birthday came and 8013 went to the board and declared that it was his birthday today, He completed tons of paper work. The board did call Jeb and he explained that he was separated from 8013's mother. He promised to get a birth certificate and take it in.

Well, it was an anxious 8-9 days before a letter came for 8013. He was to report for a physical. Then after another 8-9 days he received orders to report to nearby Fort Lewis. Wow! no turning back now.There a bus schedule for Fort Lewis. Goodbye's to Jeb and Angel, his girl friend.Fort Lewis is very large but everyone was escorted as they got off the bus. A very hectic 5 days and off to Camp Roberts in California. Oh! in uniform. Camp Roberts is a very large basic training camp in Central California near the coast. The parade ground was a square mile black topped. All of the marches were across the parade field. Lots of marches, drill, KP. bayonet training, weapons firing, hand-to-hand combat, exercise drill every morning at 6 AM.

The weeks went by. 8013 went to Los Angeles with a friend who lived there. Now that is a big city.8013 was 18 years old in the eyes of the Army so he was careful to act mature. He went of and practiced drills and stuff. Even went down to the obstacle course at night instead of drinking beer with other basics. It was dark and dangerous. However, it did help. One drill sergeant, who was a paratrooper toughened 8013 up. 8013 respected him and decided to be a paratrooper. The Sgt. said he would never make it.

Basic training is very difficult, both physically and mental. 8013 is only 16 years of age. Men were drafted up to age 35. Many living adjustments to be made. New things to be learned. New people and procedures to learn and live with. Leaders yelling at you and you can never talk back. Drill, drill and more drill of all kinds. Long marches in hot weather with heavy loads. Backpack, weapons, etc. Short breaks and up and at it. We are talking about miles here. The coast is flat but there are hills not far away.

Every now and then a soldier would give up. You couldn't help him and usually you never saw him again. Only one way to do anything: the Army way. Of course, once in awhile a soldier would get hurt or sick and he was taken care of. There were all types of men. Everything from someone who drank too much to men who blew up over minor things. There were very few incidents of sexual misbehavior. That was quickly corrected. Stealing was a minor but serious problem.

Finally, graduation day. A big ceremony. Everyone had their assignment.

8013 and two others were going to Fort Benning, Geogia for jump school. The others were going home prior to reporting to Fort. Benning. 8013's parents did not know where he was, dead or alive, in reform school or where. He always carried guilt over this and was tempted to call home but afraid to. He promised himself that he would call on his 18th birthday and visit as soon as possible. Although he tried not to think about it, he was homesick. If you have never tried it, it is a big strain behaving like what one thinks about adult behavior. Leisure time was the hardest.

Joking about and/or talking about females could leave big blanks in the younger one. Sometimes there would be no response. Being teased about sex could be deadly. How to react???

Army training is eternal. It starts in basic but never stops. Long marches get longer. (civilians call it hiking). Always carrying a weapon and other equipment. Try 5 miles on gravel and grass then a couple of miles on blacktop. Wow! that is hard on the legs and feet. Walking and then running and then walking some more. Basic was an introduction to all of this. Up hills and down.

Slopes and mountains,. Ground such as concrete, blacktop, sand, gravel and across streams.

Must learn how to care for blisters and callous and how to avoid them. One learns how to care for ones feet or suffer the consequences.

That is only one topic. There is the care of clothing, weapons, ammunition, your body, and everything around you. If you smoke you do not throw the butt on the ground. You learn how to field strip a cig and what a butt can is. You get the idea. Mom would sure come in handy now!!!

I. Introduction

The left photo is where our story begins with a young boy daydreaming about the about the beautiful mountains that 8013 loved so. Oh! not school for sure and he cannot know much about his future that he is going to jump into. That a literal statement. The top right photo is of Altoona, Pa. the city near Specialops8013's home. From the forth grade 8013

went to city schools. After about age 12 he had friends in the city as well as near his home. The city was a large RR center for the Pennsylvania RR. A very dirty city from the smoke from the locomotives constantly on the 10-12 set of tracks dividing the city.

8013 was nearly obsessed with the mountains. He could walk out in his back yard and be heading towards the mountains. 8013 grew up in the country area near Altoona, Pa. The city nearby where specialops8013 was born, went to school, and grew up. Altoona was a large railroad center with some 12-13 set of tracks dividing the city. The Pennsylvania Railroad's repair shop with the largest round house in the world. A round house is where they turn engines around. It was rather dirty from the coal smoke of the engines. Specialops8013 went to a County school for three years and then city schools.

The story starts as a young lad living in the hills of Pennsylvania programing his fate. From his beloved mountains to travels over much of the world. As we go on there will be a tendency to ask how this can be?. Oh! there are vague connecting links mixed with large contradictions. The story fits the blog design as we go from episode to episode. Actually, life is that way.
Incidentally, Special Ops 8013 identifies the main subject of the story

8013 was born into a family of 10, 6 boys and three girls. The boys and one sister were all older. The next brother was 8 years older. So they were leaving home by the time he was in 1st grade. So his family consisted of 3. Specialops8013 was blond haired, blue eyed boys in a sea of kids with black hair and eyes. Many fights from a young age. After he fought back in the 3rd grade, things were a little better. Both sets of grandparents were born in Holland.His father was a successful contractor who stopped his formal education very young. He was mostly self-taught. He worked from a young age. His mother was a very proud and caring individual who took care of the family. This included nearly all of the discipline. For some unknown reasons 8013 hated school from 1st grade on. He often stated that he learned to read and write because of this extreme dislike. He wanted to write to his first grade teacher and it wasn't until 3rd grade that he could. He just said :" I told her where to go."

8013's mother was very embarrassed by his behavior. He loved the mountains from a young age. They lived somewhat in the country where it was easy to walk to the mountains. Lots of snow in the winter months. Even in the winter months 8013 would play hooky from school. On some occasions as early as 5Th grade when he received his jacket for recess outdoors he would take off. Hours later cold and hungry. but hesitating to go home to an angry Mom. To be sure his mother was very angry.She did not understand his strange behavior nor know what to do about it. There were two opposing factors that were quite simple. 1. He hated school. 2. He loved and enjoyed the mountains.At times school authorities would suspect that he might be retarded or have a brain malfunction. Except he was an excellent reader and scored high on non-verbal intelligence tests. 8013 read the text books and scored high on exams if they related to the text. 8013 had friends who also enjoyed hiking and camping out. However, he probably was the only one who went alone.They rode bikes and sleds together in the hills and mountain areas. Some miles from 8013's home there was a 7 mile 2 lane blacktop road with an S turn at the bottom. Many a kid did not make it. The road was used by coal trucks going up and down. At times, a up truck was passing a down truck. The bike rider could not stop. Sometimes there was space on one side of the road. Exciting, you bet.

During the Jr High and High school years 8013 considered running away. He worked cleaning wall paper, selling berries and whatever came along. One summer he worked in a local chocolate factory. Saving nearly every penny. Nearly everything, but school was not wonderful, but OK. 8013 saw a movie where runaways were sent to reform school. He decided he had to go by train and as far as possible. Seattle on the map looked far away so he checked the cost. He also knew he needed to have money in his pocket. So he made plans to go by train to Seattle.

He is a little over 15. Only a long time friend knew about his planning. A girl whom he knew forever. He often was invited to go to her family's summer cottage. Her parents really liked him. She was an A student but seemed to understand 8013's plight.

8013 had several girl friends over the years starting in about 8Th grade. He went to the movies and school activities. as well as hiking and picnics. He enjoyed all of that. A friend of his father introduced him to Scouting, He joined but not for long. Nearly every Sunday he went to Church Sunday School. He and his friends went to the movies every Saturday up to age of 12 or so. They also went swimming at the YMCA
.
At around age 15 Specialops8013 started making concrete plans about running away. He managed to save quite a lot of money for a 15 year old. It was hid in a can under a large tree. Around $300 and a train ticket with a schedule. Plans included getting even with a friend's big brother who broke his nose.He spent hours observing the friend's house and the where abouts of the brother. The brother worked and came home at a certain time
.
Plans were firmed up with his telling two of his older friends the night before he planned to leave. They could not quite accept that he was going. They were very concerned. They were older and about to be drafted. They considered Specialops8013 as very young and immature. They took him out and together they drank several beers as usual. Special8013 was tall and well built and could be served in the some of the local bars. He is 15 and 6 months now. This was the final goodbye.Specialops8013 had a bag and suitcase packed and hid in a little shack with garden tools.He was up early and dressed for school. It was cold out.

He had one task to perform before leaving. He did act a little strange around his parents. They never noticed. He knew his friend's brother would be leaving for work soon. He was in the tree in his back yard when he came out of the house, Specialops8013 hit him on the head with a 2x4 as he came by. Specialops saw him laying there bleeding and had regrets that never went away.

Off to pick up the bags and to the train station. It was a long train ride to the West coast city of Seattle. Had to change trains in Chicago. Actually this was his first train ride. The family always trawled by auto. Slept some, walked around some but mostly looking out the window. Free but so sad and already homesick. In the train station in Chicago a woman befriended him and invited him to her house for the night. She promised him she would have at the station long before 11 AM when his train left.

She was very nice and fixed dinner for them. Later 8013 overheard her on the phone. 8013 became afraid because she was talking about him. He went to the bedroom and grab his bag and went out the window. It was still early and he stopped at a drug store and asked for directions. If he were driving it not be far but a very long walk. much to his surprise a young couple offered to take him. They said she lived near the train station. They talked all of the way there and she asked a million questions. He was there in plenty of time. He always wondered if he was right about the woman. Maybe not.