This WEek's Del Rio Story
Just thinking about our veterans.
I was no hero, but I spent a year in Vietnam with the great United States Army. And when I returned to this country, I still have three months left to go. So, after a brief visit home I left for Fort Eustis, Virginia.
When I got there I had no assignment; did not know anyone; and found myself in the base bowling alley. Well, I am not and never have been a great bowler like my cousin Danny (of Al and Jane's Restaurant in Highwood) but that evening, I bowled three of the best games of my life. It added up to a dazzling 729. As a wonderstruck very sub-average bowler, I returned the ball and shoes.
A captain who had watched asked this three stripe sergeant, "I have not seen you around here. Are you new?."
"Yes." I said. "In fact I just got here today, but I only have three months to go."
He said, "Well, how would you like to come work for me and be on my bowling team? You'd be on 24/7 for four days and off three days each week."
"What kind of job is it?" said I, knowing that all fruit in the army was ripe, but
not necessarily sweet.
"A Drill Instructor for cadets hoping to be Second Lieutenants. You seem in good shape, and if you can run..."
Well, one thing that this fat boy could do then at 165 pounds was run. In fact, I ran 10 to 15 miles a day whenever I got the chance. And we struck a deal. And I bowled for his team for two weeks until my real 155 average came its nasty way out to reality. But I still got to run those future officers, and take my three days a week off. The Captain turned out to be a great guy, and I hope that someday I might buy him a meal as consolation for my great talent.
-Bill
