Not all of use took our "senior class trip" to the jungles. I got put on a 2 mile X 4 mile island, 1,400 miles from Anchorage, Alaska.
Van W. Cottom Shemya Island, Alaska February 1975 76
An Airman stood at the Pearly Gate;
His face was wan and old.
He gently asked the man of fate
Admission to the Fold.
What have you done, St. Peter asked,
To gain admission here?
I've been in the Aleutians
For nigh unto a year.
Then the gates swung open sharply
As St. Peter tolled the bell.
Come in, Come in, said he, and take a harp.
You've had your share of hail.
I graduated high school in 1970, got a contract enlistment with the Army to become a FAC flying small spotter air craft. I already had a pilots license, so the Army rushing things along. I just wanted to fly. However, God had his hand on me, I was suddenly found defective in eyesight, and was released from the contract and sent home. On the advise of a senior veteran I joined the Air Force and was made a Satellite Communications Technician/Operator.
Knowing what returning Vets were going through I made it a point to wear my uniform while at home, but was never harassed. Of course, at 6'1 and 225 at 22 years old, you really didn't want to trouble me to much.
