It was on this date many years ago (before the internet even) that I entered the military. I was in serious danger of getting drafted so I signed up to be in the Army Reserves, which is a six year commitment including six months of active duty.
On October 16th I was ordered to report to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri to begin Basic Training. For an uncoordinated geeky kid who didn't want to touch a rifle much less fire it and clean it and hated the cold, this was the ultimate nightmare. I barely graduated Basic Training.
And I made a vow at the time. I said, "As the years go by and memories fade most people tend to forget the bad stuff and remember the good. You look back and say, "Aw, it wasn't that bad." Well, no matter how much or little I retain, always remember this: It WAS that bad."
So on October 16th, every year I stop and give thanks that wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, whether I'm stuck in traffic or wrestling with a tough script, or in a dentist's chair -- it's still way better than what I was doing in 1970.
And here's the other thing: The reason I was in such danger of being drafted (and thus sent to Vietnam) was because in the Draft Lottery my number was 4 (out of 366). At the time I thought I was the unluckiest son of a bitch on the planet. But you know what? It was a BLESSING.
Why?
If I hadn't been in the army I never would have met my writing partner, David Isaacs. He was ultimately assigned to my reserve unit and we met in Army summer camp. I never could have written MASH if I hadn't had a military background and really understood the culture and its thinking. And MASH was our big turning point. I probably would have had a much less successful career without MASH (or more likely -- no career at all).
So today is Thanksgiving Day. Thanks that I was in the Army. And thanks that I'm not in the Army.
I imagine we all have our own individual Thanksgiving Days. I'm still trying to organize a parade for mine.
from By Ken Levine
Comments
Post a Comment