mustering out pay, form dd 214 - honorable discharge, final orders, and stuffed duffel bag in hand i headed for the denver railroad station. a day and a half later on a december morning my train approached new york city from (ugh) new jersey. i teared up at the sight of my hometown's magnificent skyline as the sky started to lighten. there was no welcoming party or band to greet the conquering hero. it was great to be home.
not a creature was stirring in the early morning when i got off the elevated train and descended on to boston road and headed to my mom's apartment on 179th street. it was like being in a movie, attired in full dress uniform carrying my duffel bag up the street. army days were over.
no time to fool around now. had to get a job. there was no sitting around or backpacking through europe searching for the real me. these were the days when no matter in which direction you went it was uphill and the wind blew in your face and of course as usual if life itself tried to get easier, replacements would be sent in from the bench to tackle you.
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