I'm a model railroader and a military veteran

[dave2-8-0]

U.S. Army 1969 to 1978

When your,  an a active millitary persons path crosses, pause for a moment, offer up a firm handshake, a heartfelt thanks for searving.   

You will never, ever, find an un-gratefull serice person. You probly just made thair day(or year).

[Curmudgeon]

Probably not too many of us who have set up a loop of track around the periscopes on a 637 class Nuke fast-attack.

[SteamGene]

I bet you weren't allowed to ring the bell when the boat rigged for silent running!
Gene

[Curmudgeon]

Or blow the whistle.
However, in 1972, not too many trains in the model field had such.

If I recall, it was something we grabbed in Faslane or Glasgow on a port call.

[robin]

I was in the Marine Corps from 1975 until 1995, retired as a Major and loved every moment.   I flew J model Cobras until 1980 then A-4Ms through 1990.  Never fired a shot in anger but blew up a lot of things in the deserts of southern CA and Nevada.  Retired for the last time (I hope) in 2005.I rediscovered trains while attending the USA Command and General Staff College in Ft Leavenworth.  I plan to include some Korean War era hardware including aircraft in my next layout.  I've got enough room to add a second era which will likely be 1914 because I love railway guns and coast artillery from that time frame.

My RR roots go back to a small town in Vermont called Essex Junction where I used to sit on an old baggage cart and watch the trains go by. We still saw some steam in the mid 50s.  How I wish that old station with its covered tracks and water tower were still there.

Robin

For your reading enjoyment:

The Lay of the Lost Traveler By the Honorable Edward J. Phelps

With saddened face and battered hat And eye that told of black despair, On wooden bench the traveler sat, Cursing the fate that brought him there. "Nine hours," he cried, "we've lingered here, "With thought intent on distant homes, "Waiting for the elusive train, "Which, always coming, never comes; "Till, weary, worn, distressed, forlorn, "And paralyzed in every function, "I hope in hell their souls may dwell "Who first invented Essex Junction!"
"I've traveled east; I've traveled west "Over mountains, valley, plain, and river; "'Midst whirlwind's wrath and tempest's blast, "Through railroad's crash and steamboat's shiver; "And faith and courage faltered not, "Nor strength gave way, nor hope was shaken, "Until I reached this dismal spot: "Of man accursed, of God forsaken! "Where strange, new forms of misery "Assail men's souls without compunction, "And I hope in hell his soul may dwell "Who first invented Essex Junction!"
"Here Boston waits for Ogdensburgh, "And Ogdensburgh for Montreal, "And late New York tarrieth, "And Saratoga hindereth all! "From far Atlantic's wave-swept bays, "To Mississippi's turbid tide, "All accidents, mishaps, delays, "Are gathered here and multiplied; "Oh, fellow men, avoid this stop "As you would plague or Peter Fink shun! "And I hope in hell his soul may dwell "Who first invented Essex Junction!"
"And long and late conductors tell "Of trains delayed or late or slow, Till e'en the engine's bell Takes up the cry, `No go! No go!'
"Oh, let me from this hole depart, "By any route, so't be a lone one!" He cried with madness in his heart, And jumped aboard a train: the wrong one. And as he vanished in the smoke He shouted with redoubled unction, "And I hope in hell his soul may dwell "Who first invented Essex Junction!"

[J R Barnes]

Helicopter gunship pilot, 1st CAV Div, 66-67...thanks to all who served their country and welcome home.

Jerry Barnes
Tough Baron 67
Plano, TX

[mohawk]

Thanks Dr EMD;
           I served in the US NAVY from 1964 to 1968.I spent one year 1966-1967
with the U.S.Naval Support Activity in DaNang and ChuLai Vietnam.I appreciate
the kind and supportive remarks posted.
                                                                          Thanks Again
                                                                          Mohawk

[Bob S]

USN 1969-1993.  I became interested in the Ahnapee & Western and the parent Green Bay and Western during my tour as U.S. Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, 1977-1980.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[glennk28]

I just found this thread--might as well add my bit.  The draft got me when I graduated from college in 1965--the Army decided to take advantage of all that learning I got and sent me to Walter Reed Medical Center as a laboratory specialist--got out as a SP-5.  A side benefit was exposure to a lot of the eastern roads, and the opportunity to railroad with John Armstrong and Thaddeus Stepek.   Did a lot of model building evenings and weekends at my desk--gj