Willie Arrives at Basic Training! 09/22/2011
This was the first time that Willie and Helen had been apart since they were married on Christmas Eve 1939, and the newly enlisted Willie was already missing his little family. Although the Great Lakes in Michigan were beautiful and peaceful...he was wishing Helen was there to see it with him. He decided he would send her a quick note on a postcard. The card he picked had a lady in a bikini on the front! He smiled and quickly jotted on the back "Thinking of you!". He let her know that he was getting ready to board the train for the great state of Washington. Willie arrived in Bremerton, began his paperwork, learned the position of attention and was issued the navy sweat suit. This sweat suit would be an indication to everyone that he was a new recruit. He was required to learn the eleven general orders of a sentry and have them memorized by the fifth day of his first week of training because he could be called on to recite them at anytime, anywhere and to anyone. Next he would learn the Navy Chain of Command...and if that wasn't enough to know, he would also learn The United States Navy Core Values. There would be written tests to pass along with the drills to go through each day. Willie was so thankful for the training that he had been through a few years back in Citizens Military Training in St Louis. These month long military camps were held to prepare citizens like him to be ready for service. Because of this extra training, he was made a platoon leader, meaning he took some of the other recruits through the drills. His day began at 0400 hours (4am) sharp each morning with a loud whistle that would joust him awake. The day ended at 2200 hours (10pm) and buddy, being required to have lights out was no problem...he was totally ready by then. He made sure he pictured his beautiful wife and children in their beds in his mind before the lights were out for the night. Little did he know that they were having trouble in the apartment where he moved them before he left. It was during those times right before sleep that he would pray that they were okay and protected. He was counting down the time when he would be back home to be with them before he was shipped off to war. Comments Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
RSS Feed