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
John Morris defeated the United States Postal Service and – as Robert Frost sort of said – that has made all the difference.
Unbeknownst to the longtime San Marino resident, Morris’s “letter from Lyndon [Johnson] was in the mail” drafting him into the Unites States Armed Forces when he decided to enlist in the Navy Reserves instead.
The 22-year-old soon-to-be-Seabee headed to San Diego for basic training and in August 1966, was sent to Doc Lop, Danang, Vietnam, where he served in the Naval Support Activity Public Works Design office.
Sounds pretty tame? One could excuse Morris if he harbors a couple nightmares from Halloween, 1966.
“I was standing overnight watch on Halloween when Charlie shot up the fence on either side of where I was patrolling,” said Morris.
“At that time, I was armed with an M-1 carbine which the Marines assumed that only Charlie carried so I didn’t shoot back, as the Marines might then shoot back at me. I also would have been required to fill out paperwork in quadruplicate to justify discharging my weapon. What a way to fight a war.”
For the full story, see the print edition of the San Marino Tribune, or download the e-edition.
