Never did I expect to make the military my career. In June 1963, I was Germany for 12 months when I was notified that Seventh Army Headquarters was looking for a lieutenant to take a unit back to Fort Bragg, NC. Turns out, I was the only lieutenant in the entire European theater that met the criteria – Quartermaster lieutenant with at least a year in-country and six months or more remaining on their two-year commitment. This was not what I wanted to do; I was enjoying the experience of living in Germany and was not excited about going to Fort Bragg...approximately 90 miles for where I grew up and 75 miles from Raleigh. The only way to get out of this assignment was to change my status...from a “two-year commitment” to “voluntary indefinite”...which meant I would spend three years in Germany. I later applied for a Regular Army Commission.

While in Germany, I had two visitors from America who were traveling around Europe – Bob Crutchfield & Butch Fields. They initially were to stay a couple of days but ended up staying approximately two weeks. I loved having them even though they ate and drank everything in sight ...fortunately liquor and beer were cheap!!! Wilbur Mozingo lived in Darmstadt, therefore I saw Harriet & Wil often. Van & Gigi Giersch were in Heilbronn, and Ted & Cynthia Kratt in Kaiserslautern. Having fraternity brothers and wives close-by meant a lot to me.

For the remainder of the 1960’s, I was in Vietnam, on Okinawa and again in Vietnam mixed with short assignments in Fort Hood, TX and Petersburg, VA. During the first tour in Vietnam, I regularly saw Bernie Cook who was working for one of the big construction firms; he lived only a couple of blocks from me. During the second tour, Rick Wheeless came out of the jungle and frequently stayed overnight in my hooch. To the best of my recollection, my maid did his laundry. Rick was a forward observer stationed with a Vietnamese outfit. Gary Dana dropped in a couple of times...spent 18 months in Vietnam when the standard tour was 12 months. I saw King Bostrom at his air base near Chi Lai (also entertained King on Okinawa...ask me about King and the snake dancer).

The entire 1970’s was spent in the states which was unheard of in the military at the time - three years in Washington, DC; a year at Leavenworth, KS; two years at Georgia Tech in Atlanta; followed by four years back in Washington. During this period, I had lots of contact with fraternity brothers...too numerous to list here...just know I cherish all our times together. While at Georgia Tech in 1974-1976, I was associated with the Beta Phi Sigs – a great group many of whom are dear friends today.

In 1980 I went to Seoul, Korea for two years. While there, a very special person came to visit for two weeks – Viv Stewart. Wives of members of my agency took it upon themselves to entertain Viv day and night. While I worked, she was having a ball. Although I didn’t know it at the time, in 1982 I was transferred to Philadelphia which turned out to be my final assignment.

In March 1985 I retired and moved to my townhouse in Arlington, VA. Living back in the DC area brought many Sigma Chi visitors – a few wanted to see me, but most wanted to see the sites of Washington. After numerous trips south, I realize that I no longer needed or wanted Washington as a home base. In 1989 I moved to Hartsville, SC – the town where I was born, and I’ve been here for 25 years...longer than I’ve ever lived anywhere. It was a smart move, because in 1992 I met Jeannie Beasley, and we’ve been an item ever since.

Retirement has been and continues to be fun. During the first four years while still living in the DC area, I took the opportunity for space-available flights to Germany & England ...going twice, sometimes three times a year. On one occasion, I spent time with Rolfe & Jean Reusing who were living in London followed by a extended tour around England, Scotland & Wales...even visiting the Isle of Skye where my ancestors lived. Back in London, Hurdle & Chicken Lea were also houseguests of the Reusings on my last day there. On another occasion in a different part of the world, Jeannie & I spent eight wonderful days sailing in the Bahamas with John & Susan Hornaday. This was during their year long adventure of sailing the Caribbean. I caught a big fish; I don’t remember what kind, but it was delicious. I still travel as often as I can. In 2009, my nephew and I went to Rio, then to Lima and eventually to Machu Picchu...probably the most exciting trip I have ever made.

I need to add one additional item. For 27 years, a group of Delta Epsilon Sigs, wives and girlfriends got together for every NCSU-UNC football game whether it was in Raleigh or Chapel Hill – Doug Angel, Jerry Austin, Louie Hughes, Hurdle Lea, Bill Little, Wilbur Mozingo, Phil Redwine, Rolfe Reusing, Sam Walden & George Yarbrough. Others joined on occasion, and I attended most of the time – even when living overseas. The difficulty in getting tickets for such large group finally saw the demise of this annual and fun event, but memories remain.