Fifty one years ago today I received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army at Fort Carson Colorado. As I recall it was a time for excitement, uncertainty and the unknown.
The excitement came with no longer having someone else tell you how to dress, walk or think. That excitement was immediately followed by the question “can I make those decisions on my own?” The unknown was now “what will I do with my life.”
When I wasn’t contemplating those monumental emotions I had to make arrangements for my move back to Des Moines. I remember my parents planned to make the trip to Colorado Springs to help me move my things back to home. As I gathered my personal possessions from my on Post room and my apartment my first decision was made after I remembered “they don’t sell Coors Beer in Iowa.” I corrected that situation after leaving Fort Carson with my separation check. A quick stop at the bank and then to the neighborhood liquor store to purchase 24 cases of beer. My Dad had a 70 Pontiac Bonneville with a trunk the size of a pickup box. Just enough beer to fill it up.
After returning home I spent a couple weeks getting my civilian legs under me and then a returned to John Deere where I had worked the summer before entering the service. Nothing flashy but it least it was a day shift job as a materials handler. Certainly not what I could image doing for the rest of my life but it worked for the time.
By mid August I showed up on the layoff list and given a week’s notice I’d be added to the call back list. I was called into the Foreman’s Office so he could explain the situation to me. His name was Charley Strawn, and he’d been a friend of my Dad’s for years. During my visit I realized someone saw value in me as a person when he said, “no matter how long the layoff lasts, ‘Do Not Come Back’ this place will eat you alive with very little reward.”
It was that day I learned if you were willing to listen to those older and with more experience than you, you would be better equipped to deal and win at life.
My next move found me selling new Fords for Dewey Ford. I had a couple high school buddies that helped get me hired. Another job just not a career. I had a lot of fun working there but never really got the grasp of “what would it take to get you to sign the order today?” I kicked around the idea of returning to work at the clothing store I worked for in high school when the second unique moment came along.
In late July of 1975, Dewey Vukovich called me into his office for a visit. Over the years I’d pick his brain for ideas and we developed a bond. He had some advice for me that day and I remember it as if it were yesterday. He told me I needed to quit my job and enroll in college for the fall semester. His words were “college won’t make you smarter but the degree will give you the confidence you need to become successful.” I waited a week and turned in my Demo keys. A month later I was sitting in a classroom at Des Moines Area Community College.”
I spent a year at DMACC taking a few confidence courses to prove to myself that at twenty-six I could return to school. One of those classes reunited me with my high school home room teacher - Jerry Manning. I took his selling course (ironic since I did so poorly selling cars) and he recognized me the first night of class. The course proved valuable in more ways than one. Jerry and I were able to build a friendship as adults even having an occasional beer or two after class to discuss old times and plan ahead.
During the semester I had made the decision to return to school full time and enrolled at the University of Iowa for the fall semester. The current semester was winding down so I asked Jerry to join me for dinner for some advice on courses to take going forward.
For the third time since leaving the Army I was given life changing advice. Jerry helped me chart a path for a degree in Marketing and to use some of my electives to take Education courses. Basic courses like Methods and Course Development (lesson plans). As we left for the parking lot he handed me his business card and said “get your degree, take those couple courses and call me when you graduate I’ll do my best to find a place for you on my staff.”
In the spring of 1979 I had contacted Jerry later interviewing for a teaching position on his Marketing Staff. My first class was spring quarter 1980. I spent 26 wonderful years in the classroom and another 12 as an online adjunct faculty member.
Leaving the Army 51 years ago today I had no idea which road I’d go down and now I realize how blessed I’ve been to have known Charlie Strawn, Dewey Vukovich and Jerry Manning. Three ordinary people that saw value in a young guy looking for direction.
Thank God I was willing to listen.
June 23, 2022
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