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A peaceful and pleasant Saturday morning in Belleview
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Location: Blogs Sly Comments |
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| Posted by: Emory Schley |
5/8/2007 7:49 PM |
My wife and I decided to go to festival held in Belleview over the weekend. We drove on over, found a parking space, I pulled out my camera, donned my hat and sunglasses; she did the same, and we began to stroll around the grounds surrounding City Hall. There were a lot of exhibitors displaying all the usual stuff one generally sees at events such as this.
However, one that I had not seen before, was a vendor selling little devices that we once called pea-shooters, only these were made of PVC pipe and shot little mini-marshmallows. Kind of like “nano” Nerfballs! Looked like lots of fun! As we ambled around the display area, we saw lots of interesting displays, but as we were nearing the end, I spotted an area where a couple of soldiers were apparently recruiting.
Out of curiosity, I walked over and inquired what a Private makes these days. After a moment’s hesitation, the Sergeant First Class I was talking to, said “Fourteen hundred.” What? Fourteen hundred? Per MONTH?
Yessir, he said, fourteen hundred!
Hmmm... I knew I joined the Army wayyyy too soon when I heard that. Back when I was a recruit, newly conscripted soldiers were paid the lofty amount of $78 per month, whether they needed it or not.
Punching some keys on my calculator tells me the current pay is almost 18 times what I was paid. I know I’m an old guy, but really – 18 times? Wow, almost makes you want to re-enlist again.
Only problem is – the first few minutes of Basic Training would probably kill me now. I don’t think I’m quite the man I once was. My days of pretending to be a pack mule are long over.
And free room and board, free travel, free medical care, and a retirement plan you don’t have to pay into yourself. Sounds pretty good for someone looking around for a career. All except for the part they don’t bother to mention if you don’t. You know – that’s the part about the bullets, terrorists and roadside bombs.
Kind of reminds me of one-time Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry who once said something like, “If you ignore all the murders, D.C. has one of the lowest crime rates in the country!” Thanks, but no thanks! (In case you’ve forgotten, he’s the same guy who once said, “What right does Congress have going around making laws just because they deem it necessary?”)
Ahhh... sometimes I miss ol’ Marion.
Anyway, it was a nice enjoyable way to spend a pleasant Saturday morning. We’re definitely going back again the next time! |
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