Spring cleaning of my garage and I find this beer ...circa 1971!
The story: In September of 1971 I was discharged from Camp Pendleton in California. I had my 1970 Chevelle loaded and I drove out the gate and pointed it toward Las Vegas. Words cannot describe the elation of being ‘free’ (military service ended). I had the radio blaring and I was one happy SOB! So, at some point, I stopped and purchased a six-pack of Bud. Yes, I drank a couple during the drive (gasp!) to Vegas, got a room in a cheap motel and spent the night …during which I drank the rest, save this one. Nothing pre-planned …just five turned out to be the correct number for that particular day/evening.
This ‘survivor beer’ was tossed into a cardboard box in the trunk of that Chevelle the next morning, as I headed out to Colorado. It spent the next five years in the trunk, in that box with a pair of jumper cables, some gloves, road flares and a few hand tools. Through five HOT Midwest summers and four COLD winters, it remained there.
I sold the Chevelle in 1976 and when cleaning it out, found that beer. I knew it was worthless, but for some reason, I placed it on a shelf in my garage. Through three subsequent moves, I never could find the heart to toss it. It reminded me of that glorious day of ‘freedom‘. Thus, it has always sat on a shelf, somewhere in my garage …for 38 years. I found it again this past weekend.
Which brings me to item number two:
This is a tube of Chap Stick. I can’t even recall how I came to have it. Probably in a ‘kit’ of articles we were given, either issued by the Corps or in a USO packet in Okinawa, on our way to S.E. Asia?
I carried this tube of lip balm for my entire tour in Nam. It was originally a black tube with a white cap. As you can see, the paint wore away and now it is little more than a shiny tube. Still useable. Just another goofy item I tossed into a drawer and that has moved with me, ever since.
I still have my camo. bush-hat, dog tags and similar items from that era of my life ...but for some reason these two, silly items ...I just can’t find the heart to discard.
So how about you? Any others want to confess to your nostalgic goofiness?
Picture required!
