Since I was a lifer, each time I came home I knew I would be going back sooner or later so I did not feel at all guilty. I enjoyed the time with family. I came home from the 2nd tour in Oct.'70 and in Dec 1970 was told to go back TDY for a month from my new assignment at Bell Helicopter. I spent new years eve 70/71 on an airplane over the pacific enroute to Nam again so I could make the Jan.71 reporting date. Now that really pissed me off. Went up to Phan Rang, did the TDY and came home for the last time. I wondered about my buds after each tour but never felt guilty and sure as heck did not want to leave my kid to go be wth them.
Beginning in 1957 I spent a year in Korea, 8 months in Turkey, 4 Months in Italy 14 months in Germany plus an odd TDY here and there to other exotic places, plus the 25 months in Nam, by the time I arrived at Bell I was ready to stay someplace and stay I did. Drove a nail in my strap and hung on till time to go for good.
memories of youthful travels.
BT