Our Veterans
In honor of those who served our country in the armed forces, this San Marino Tribune article continues a series of individual salutes to our courageous veterans.
By Mitch Lehman
Younger readers–particularly those holding college diplomas with wet ink-might find it impossible to believe that Keith McDonald waited just two days after graduating from USC before reporting to his first day on the job. It would have happened sooner, but commencement took place on a Saturday and Sears was closed on Sundays.
Getting drafted a year later was similarly as abrupt, and on Oct. 25, 1963, McDonald took a bus from the Los Angeles induction center on Broadway over to Union Station for an all-night train ride to Salinas.
After 10 weeks of basic training, while being interviewed for further placement, his superior noted that McDonald had previously received a federal security clearance.
“During the summer between my junior and senior years in high school, I had worked in the mailroom of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company’s corporal missile division,” McDonald said. “It was right down the street from where I grew up. It gave me special qualification for the job I was given.”
McDonald was sent to the 504th Signal Company Headquarters in Sacramento–a civilian-operated Army depot–where he served as Specialist 4th Class directly under the 1st Sergeant and Commanding Officer.
“It was a depot surrounded by Air Force bases,” McDonald explained.
McDonald and his fellow trainees experienced some tense moments a month after they arrived at Fort Ord.
For the full story, see the print edition of the San Marino Tribune, or download the e-edition.
