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From: JPageSpann@aol.com View Contact Details View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 08:57:03 EST
Subject: #326 Richard Keech College Years and update
To:
#326 Newsletter January 14, 2007
©copyright 2007 by Richard Keech
Editor's Note: A couple of weeks ago Richard fell in the shower and knocked himself out. It was evenng and when he came to, his head and one arm were badly scratched and bleeding. He managed to get to his bed and was unable to summon a nurse as the hospital's intercom system is no longer working.
He was found the next day and after emergency care it was determined that he was not seriously injured. Since then, after frantic phone calls from family members to the prison, a counselor has advised his daughter Nancy that, after a lengthy visiit with Richard and a Psychiatrist, they are convinced that Richard should definitely be transferred to some facility where he will not be isolated as he is now. The counselor said he will go as high as possible to try to get the transfer for him.
There has been no news since that call. In the meantime I have new stories from Richard.
BACK TO COLLEGE ON THE GI BILL
The war is over. I am home on leave, still in uniform. I have been interviewing for jobs. I want to go back to the Orient and have been talking to Oil companies.
It's lunch time. This morning's interview went OK but didn't get me an overseas job. I had spent the morning with a Richfield Oil Executive. The interview went well. He liked me, and listened. But, it didn't get me a job.
"Son, with your two years of college and your brains my advice is - go back to College under the GI Bill. Put in that last two years of college. Get a degree. Then come back to me, and you're hired on the spot."
In a way that had to be good advice. He's the third executive I had interviewed to tell me this.
I reported all this to my mother as I joined her for lunch.
"Oh, by the way, " She says, "you got a postcard this morning. Here it is. It's from your high school friend Harry."
"Thank you Mother. I'll take it to my room to read it." It is a post card with a picture of some girls under some California Palm trees. (Redlands University coeds I learn later.)
A short note on the back says "Come to the University of Redlands. I have a basement corner room for two in Melrose Hall. I need a friend. This is a college of pretty girls. It's where the rich men send their daughters. The GI Bill covers all expenses. We need more veterans now."
Harry Woods.
His post card came at the right time. Everyone keeps saying - go back to college. Now here's a chance to do it with a friend.
I sit down that night and write Harry back.
"Harry," I say in my letter," It is good to hear you survived the war. I can't think of a guy I would rather team up with, if I have to go back to school. We've both been there and done it. We talk the same language. We can find a local bar and drink a glass or two of beer like soldiers on liberty. Count me in. I shall drive up this coming week and join you for a beer and a walking tour of your fabled land of pretty girls. Count me in."
I do just that. I've been lonely and have missed my military buddies.
We hit it off right away. Harry shows me his cellar corner room in Melrose hall. Plenty of room for two. Pretty large for a dormitory room but that's because its a basement room. Two beds, two desks two chairs, and some simple book shelves (planks over two concrete blocks).
Say the word he says and I'll introduce you to the folks you sign up with.
We talk for an hour or so. Then walk to the nearest Beer Bar and spend another hour "bull ****ting."
We eat at the University cafeteria that night. I tell Harry I am impressed. I will come back on a week day and see if I can sign in under the GI Bill. If I have to go back to college to get a job, what better place than the beautiful Redlands campus. (with all its pretty rich girls). And it's near enough to Long Beach to make weekend visits easy.
"Harry, I think we've got a deal. Can you help me sign in if I come back Monday?"
"Of course. And you are just what they are looking for, GI Bill applicants with some college already under their belt."
I drive back to Long Beach, It's a weekend night and I have a pretty neighbor I'd like to take out on a date.
Come Monday morning I pack a week's worth of clothes in the back of my 38 Plymouth and return to Redlands.
I join Harry for a late breakfast at the cafeteria. After breakfast Harry walks me thru the sign in process, and I now have a new home.
TO BE CONTINUED
Richard Keech
semper fi
www.Richard-Keech.org
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RESTORE THE REPUBLIC!
R.W. "D1ck" Gaines
The Original
"Gunny G"
GnySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952- (Plt #437PISC)-'72
Sites & Forums For... The Thinking Marine!
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GyG's Globe and Anchor! --Sites & Forums
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/dickg/sites.html
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GyG's Old Salt Marines Tavern ~Interactive~
http://network54.com/Forum/135069
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GyG's Globe and Anchor Weblog
http://gunnyg.blogspot.com/
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GyG's History/Traditions, etc.
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The GyG Archive/Bookmarks @FURL
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