Page 103 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

army
you’re late.” Patience was another thing I
strengthened during my service. We’d always over a year, in a
rush, rush, rush and move, move, move to cramped space.
our destination. Then, when we’d get there, You’re forced to
we’d wait for hours and hours until the next strengthen those
order was given, then rush and move again bonds and become
until the next stop and wait for more hours. like brothers. It’s the
same thing in the
Have you maintained or reestablished Army, especially for
contact with any past comrades? combat veterans - in

that case, those guys aren’t just fighting for their
I’ve kept in contact with a few of them, country; they are fighting for each other, in the
thanks to social media. A gentleman I fondly hopes of getting each other home. A lifelong
remember was a man named Juan Cardillo bond is formed between combat veterans. I
who served with me in Germany. He was was never in combat, but my brother, who’s in
kind of like the leader, the tour guide for the the Marine Corps knows. My sister, who is a
young soldiers in the new country. military spouse, told me about the lifelong bond

she formed with other military spouses while
I read about a study where veterans were their husbands were away.
sent to a university to see how they’d react
to the cultural difference there. Many of the
veterans were not very pleased and even
angered by the laid-back attitudes and lack
of respect. Eventually, some would simply
isolate themselves and fall into a depression.
Do you have any input on that issue?

I agree. I mean, the biggest reason is because
of the military culture that’s instilled in them
during basic training and tours. I was only
18 years old when I entered, so that culture
is what shaped me and made me part of
who I am. At college, kids would normally
wear casual clothing; in the military, we
were required to be well-groomed and
well-dressed, even during leisure time. For
instance, in basic training, I learned how to
shine shoes and line up the buttons on my
shirt with the zipper on my pants. And we
were taught to always use the sidewalks, so I
never cut across the grass.
There is something like a familial bond
that’s formed over the time spent with your
comrades. Compare it to a basketball team
and imagine being with that team 24/7 for

Lubbock Senior Link 103