My grandfather graduated from the naval academy in 1945, as the war was conveniently ending. He is SUCH a hottie in his graduation pic. My other grandfather was a doctor and medical researcher and stayed a civilian.

My father was in the Navy during, but not in, Vietnam.

His back was injured in some accident or explosion and hence is considered partially disabled, which means he is now getting VA healthcare and a small monthly benefit, and it has absolutely been lifesaving now that he's retired and has no income other than a single SS payment. (Because my mom died at 60, not 62, he gets no survivor benefit despite her having paid into the system her entire working life.)

Congratulations, Anne!

My father's feet put him into a not-quite-4F draft category. They eventually drafted that category, but by that time he was employed by an industry essential to national defense, i.e., meat packing, and his employers wouldn't let him go. He spent WWII working to produce Grade A, B and C beef for the military. It sounds lucky to me, but I think he felt he'd missed some essential rite of passage for his generation.

A friend of my mother's older brothers was in a prisoner of war in Germany towards the end of the war. If was an officers' camp, and the men running it knew the war was lost, so they spent their time sucking up to the British and American prisoners. Apparently Hogan's Heroes was not all that fictional.

(Because my mom died at 60, not 62, he gets no survivor benefit despite her having paid into the system her entire working life.)

Hubby died at 57 on full disability, and I was told I'd get survivor benefits when I hit 60. How weird.

ION, the Brigham Young University student who was arrested for having a meth lab in his apartment but who has continued to insist that he was making soap and essential oil extracts has agreed to take a plea deal. His lawyer said that he was really only making soap and oils, but he did have the equipment to make other stuff and that he may have given in to the temptation to make other stupid things.

Sure, dude.

My one grandfather was 4F and spent WWII building ships in Oakland. Which exposed him to asbestos and eventually killed him, but not for years later, I guess.

The other side of the family were civilians in occupied China. So their stories are pretty different.

Etsy, the gateway drug lab?

Etsy, the gateway drug lab?

The meth residue all over the room was hard to explain away.

I am in a super-foul mood and would like to burn down the world.

Need a match?

YAY, ANNE!!

ita, crossing my fingers on the drug test.

My dad was in the Army for 4 years in the early 60's. He was #1 in his boot camp...class? whatever, and got to pick his assignment.

He had a choice of Japan, Vietnam or Hawaii. Being young, he picked Hawaii, and has been kicking himself for not picking Japan ever since.