By Rev. Tom White, July 24, 2019 — I was finishing my three years’ tour of duty in the United States Army. In fact, this day, Monday, October 14th, was the last day of my service. At 6:15 AM, the sound of reveille could be heard outside. “Wake-up” call. Every day it was a call to get up, throw yourself together in some sort of reasonable attire, and stand in formation for roll call. Every day, for three years. Every day!
Today, however, I decided I would skip reveille. Sure enough, Corporal David Burk, [who was] part Cherokee, came by and asked me why I wasn’t getting up. I replied, “Dave, I just thought that I would skip it this one time.” Dave was somewhat taken aback.
“Well-l-l-l, I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Nothing came of this. I did get up; however, I was quite glad to get on with this day. I went to the Mess Hall, turned in my bedding to the quartermaster’s warehouse, and by 8:30 AM had done what was asked of me. The only problem was that I was not scheduled for discharge until 11:30 AM. I had nothing to do for three hours. Those were the longest three hours of my life. There was no one to talk to; everyone else was busy working. Finally, at 11:05 AM, I went up the flight of stairs that led to the clerical department and spoke to PFC Homer Goins about getting my discharge. Homer was quite agreeable. In fact, he said, “I’ve been waiting for you.” A few signatures on various papers and a handshake, and I was on my way back to civilian life…almost.
I had to collect my separation pay. For that, I had to travel about two miles up Route 50 to the Bursar’s Office at Fort Myers, and they wouldn’t be open until 1:00 PM. I smoked my “Victory Cigar” then traveled to the Mess Hall for my final army meal. When I got to the Mess Hall, I encountered the first of two bumps in my road to civil life. The menu for this day was fried liver! No onions, no mushrooms, just the liver. Uh oh!
I still had $.60 in my pocket, so I drove over to Fort Myers and entered the Service Club’s luncheonette. Yes, I could get a hamburger and milkshake and still have a few cents left over.
At 1:00 PM, I and thirteen others were there waiting to pocket our discharge funds. Now came the second bump of the day. The Bursar’s Office wasn’t prepared for us! For 45 aggravating minutes, we waited and waited. We weren’t in a very good mood.
Only thirteen of us were there for discharge funds; one of us was there for his bonus for re-enlisting for four more years! We amused ourselves by razzing Dave: “You’ve found a home in the Army,” we said.
By 2:00 PM, we had all been paid! I jumped in my car and started up Route 50 toward Glassboro and home.
By 2:45 PM, I drove past the White House. There was a golden glow on the place. It was a perfect autumn day—warm sun and pleasant breeze and not a cloud in the sky! It was an uneventful drive home. I was just ahead of going-home workers. I made it home by 6:00 PM, in time for a roast turkey dinner. I had completed a significant experience in my young life. Tomorrow I would open another door to the future.