It would be my first trip overseas and to be sure I was nervous and a tad scared. But at the same time felt proud in my navy dress blues with a caduceus on my sleeve.
I had a long way to go over the Pacific Ocean, to a far away land called the Philippines Islands. And to a base called Subic Bay.
Never heard of it, and I had to look it up.
Being nineteen now, and already a year and a half of service under my belt.
That doesn't seem long because, I have another three and a half years to go till the end of my enlistment. It was only 1969 and 1972 was too far away to even imagine.
But the year and a half included boot camp, Hospital Corps School, and a stint at The Naval Training Center working in the base dispensaries and hospital.
Now with a promotion to Hospitalman E-3 from the U.S. Navy, I had earned orders to that far away place.
It would be a year and one month before I would return.
On the day of my departure my dad drove me to the airport. With a hug and goodbyes we parted and I boarded the good ol' PSA twin engine jet. Also known as Poor Sailors Airline. HA!
As this was my first time in a plane of any sort I was pretty excited. It took off quickly and seem to go straight up.
I watched from my window seat as the airport below became a distant landmark of my hometown San Diego.
My first leg of the trip took me to San Francisco in about an hour or so.
We landed and I soon boarded a bus with all sorts of military types. Army, Navy, Marines, Air force, Coast Guard, and some that I didn't know what they were. And this bus would take us all to Travis Air Force Base.
It was still morning and the bus trip would place us at Travis at about 11 am.
On arrival at Travis I went through some quick processing and was then directed to the terminal lobby. I learned my flight would not depart until 11 pm! What? Yup, hurry up and wait.
The terminal was jammed packed with military, dependent wives and children, and government employed civilians all waiting to go overseas.
It was going to be a long day. At least I didn't have to lug my sea bag. It was somewhere waiting too.
To be loaded onboard whatever plane I was to take.
I had lunch, and waited. Called home, then waited some more. Walked around, used the restroom, sat, waited. Bought a paperback for the flight. Sat, and waited. Dinner at the snack bar. Then wait some more. One last phone call to mom and dad. Mom crying. "Goodbye son, please take care and write. We love you son".
"Bye mom, bye dad, I love you too" .
I felt really alone now.
The terminal steadily emptied as the day ended. Everybody was on their way. Except me and the ones who were to be on my flight.
As it became later, I felt very tired. Sleep beckoned me. Using my carry on duffle bag as a pillow I stretched out on an empty bench and was in a deep sleep right away.
In my sleep I hear a woman's voice in the dark distance calling my name. Was it mom? No.
But it kept calling my name, this time saying a number.
Something about a gate.
I wake up. A voice from the PA system is calling my name and telling me to go to a numbered gate.
Looking around I see the terminal is empty. Just me on the bench.
Oh my God! My plane!
I Ieap up, grab my things, and start running toward the gate. An airport guy at the gate points to the plane and yells "Hurry!"
I dash down the ramp toward a Braniff Airline 707 with it's huge four engines running.
Up the plank and into the airliner. The stewardess at the door hurries me in and shuts the door.
I'm standing there with her at the entrance and I hear a loud cheer and applause from the passengers.
I breathless, embarrassed, and can't believe what has just happened.
The stewardess escorts me to my seat and settles me in. Hell, the planes moving!
I sit there thinking about it. Am I dreaming? Not now. God I almost 'Missed Movement'. A serious offense in the military.
But I'm here safe, in my seat, in my plane. Thank you God!
At that moment I didn't care that ahead of us is an 18 hour flight over the vast pacific ocean. I just look out the window as the planes takes off. Yup, I got a window seat again. it's my lucky day.
I'm still getting a few stares and smiles. But that's ok.
It's not long before the big jet is flying over the night lights of San Francisco, and then nothing but blackness below as we leave the coast.
I'm settled down now, maybe some more sleep.
Maybe a dream of home.
Whew! What a trip.
But it's just the beginning.