Congressional records indicate over 2.7 million Americans served in uniform in Vietnam. Did all of them serve an entire year in country? I dunno. I do know that I did; specifically June, 1969 to June 1970.
All who served a one-year tour were entitled to a one week vacation with a significant other, about half way through the tour. This was called R and R (Rest and Relaxation). Destinations included Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Australia.
I was anxious to tell my wife, Marjorie, the planned dates as soon as I knew them. I also asked for dates more than half way through so I would only have a short time before coming back to the “world” after R and R.
So—- I wrote Marjorie a letter with my planned dates for our romantic R and R. She wrote back. “Oh that’s great , but is it possible to move it back a week. I’ve got tickets to a Roger Williams concert that week “. Of course, her request was logical. Roger Williams, for you young folks, was a great, popular pianist and showman of our time.
So I spent one extra week in the combat zone before R and R so Marjorie could see Roger Williams. What a nice husband am I. (LOL)
R and R in Hawaii was absolutely wonderful. We stayed at The Ilikai, a grand hotel made famous as the opening scene of TV’s “Hawaii Five O” with the star, Jack Lord, standing on one of its balconies. “Look it up, young people”. We went sailing, attended a luau, did the hula, ate and drank a bunch, enjoyed Waikiki Beach ,and loved each other for a super memorable week.
We also learned a valuable lesson. While there, we saw many, many elderly visitors with serious mobility issues and not able to truly enjoy a visit to Hawaii.
We decided definitely to do everything we could to make our “bucket list” items happen before we were too old to fully enjoy them.
Our low cash available and relatively high credit card balances over our healthy, younger years are evidence we tried to follow our own advice.
After a “mahvelous” week in beautiful HawIi, we tearfully parted, but I only had three months or so to do in Nam. We could do that “standing on our heads”. With God’s good grace, I returned safely home to my wonderful family in a Short three months. Enuf
What a wonderful story! I loved Marjorie’s response too. And then your wisdom in enjoying life to the fullest while you are able….now how about the story(its) about your visit(s) to Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls—. Slowly I turn. Step by step, inch by inch ————. Was that an Abbott and Costello schtick? Think so. Thanks for the kind words. A story featuring Niagara Falls is on my to do list. Stay well.