Prior to enlisting - Who was a Military Brat? What is your favorite Memory?

My father served in WWII and Korea, and was scheduled to go to Vietnam early 60's but was taken out of that assignment because of health reasons. Instead he was sent to Korea where he suffered a massive heart attack, 9 months into his tour. He survived to be returned home to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver. After a 6 month stay in the hospital, they discharged him and he was in the process of retiring when he suffered a second and fatal heart attack at Ft. Carson Hospital. I have many great memories of my father, and I was destined to serve because of him. Back then the Army Dress Blue Uniform was a formal uniform only and my Father would seldom wear his, but when he did, he wore his full sized medals and they were numerous. I remember I couldn't pick up the jack it was so full of medals. He had won the Silver Star and Purple Heart in WWII, and he earned the Bronze Star and another Purple Heart in Korea. He had every medal below the Silver Star and to me his jacket felt like it weighed a ton. Seeing my father in his Dress Blues was the greatest memory I have. Unfortunately he never had his picture taken in his Blues.

We left for Europe when I was only a few months old. We lived in France, Germany, Canal Zone, etc.... I remember the piles of rubble around Munich that people think are mountains now. I remember milking cows in France, with old german helmets nailed to almost every fence post as famers dug them up plowing along with munitions. I remember a wonderful time in High School in Wurzburg--sports all over Europe, and Scouting travels hiking and camping--playing in rock band at NCO and Officer Clubs as an older teen...than returning as a soldier to the same places, with too many different faces....

I was a military brat whose dad was a Drill Sergeant so when I went to Navy "bootcamp" and Army "basic training" I was more than ready for the challenge! :)