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Show 10 Hilltop Times 'COMMENTS Oct. 11, 1991 Some irGnninigjs r by SMSfit. Charlie Bowden Air Force Nes Service If anybent and thing, he was marching again, the heels of his black, highly polished military shoes slapping smartly against the turf. Pride and spirit had stiffened his spine. slow-movin- Basic training For example, I can still vividly recall my first night in basic training what little there was of it arriving in the dead of night, tense with a mixture of excitement and dread. Pulling into the old arrival station at Lackland, joining hordes of other newbies fresh from the heartland of America, we were met by a small g. ors you see in the movies whacking spear on shield in an attempt to scare up some lions as ritual. part of a manhood-proving TI Bow-Sogg- ed As he stood there, resplendent in crisp faboots, I noticed he had tigues and as he adan odd stance, almost dressed us in that somewhat coarse vernacular peculiar to the TI. He told us we had 30 minutes to shower and shave before breakfast, then marched out the door. His legs did bow, and as he moved in that snappy TI gait, heels lightly stomping the floor in perfect precision, he had an almost comical character. Like most "Rainbow" order proved a near imflights, that possible task in those early morning hours. He knew it. But he knew that we would learn. It would be tough, but we would learn. stern-faceband of fatigue-clad- , sergeants. Over the next hours they shouted, prodded, cajoled and babied us, attempting valiantly to herd us into manageable groups and get us into bed. By 3 a.m. we had our bunks made, or at least sleepable, and some folks even began to drift off. Clearly, this was a well-worploy by forest with those Mongols the ranger hats. sawed-off 4 a At a.m., brandishing mop handle and garbage can lid, our TI came charging into the old wooden barracks, jumped onto a footlocker and began rapidly banging the lid. He reminded me of one of those African warri- d spit-shine- d bow-legge- n 30-minu- said, "That's my TI." "Your what?" she asked. "My TI, you know, from basic training." "How do you know?" she asked, a little doubtful. "I spent six weeks watching that man walk. It's not something you forget overnight." I went charging over and, sure enough, it was him. We chatted, swapped war stories; I told him I remembered the walk and he laughed. I wasn't the first, probably not the last. We said our goodbyes. As he walked off, I smiled to myself. He no If anylonger seemed bent and thing, he was marching again, the heels of his black, highly polished military shoes slapping smartly against the turf. Pride and spirit had stiffened his spine. Watching him, I found I had a nice feeling of accomplishment, the kind that comes with good deeds done unselfishly. I felt like I had made his day. I know he made mine. (Bowden is chief, News Products Branch, AFNS.) slow-movin- g. DISCOUNT RESTAURANT Government To & American Style Military Employees (After 4:00 PM) Thru Oct. 31, 1991 OPEN A.M.-9P.- MM I.D. Required sr MON.-THUR- S. fU FRI. & SAT. A.M.-10P.- thought I had forgotten those days and that man. But nearly 23 years later, at a craft fair in a small town on the outskirts of San Antonio, the sight of a bent, almost crooked man with a cane sent a rush of memories through my mind. I knew him but couldn't place him. Then, as he walked away, it was Lke an old TV set coming on, at first fuzzy with snow and then clear. It was my TI. Slightly shopworn, his stride a little slower, but his legs still marked with that distinctive bow. Grabbing my wife, I I MANUELS Southwestern 11 d, te IT 11 Familiar walk As he walked off, I smiled to myself. He no longer seemed ome experiences and memories last a lifetime. I've found that's particularly true for of those us in the military. Probably we all can recall some particular incident and relate it in great detail over a beer or during an office bull session. Often, in the retelling, the tales become almost bigger than life as the lines blur between what really happened and what we remember happening. FOR THE FINEST IN AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD yy ouev!? HTTT 4 PHONE 1145 SOUTH STATE CLEARFIELD 773-757- 9 HiW M. EAT IN OR TAKE OUT oAttention: Military Personnelni o Looking for Auto Insurance? Call GEICO at 773-059- 5 Since 1936, GEICO has been saving good drivers good money on their car insurance. Find out how much you may save. Call us today. GEICO offers you.... Low Prices good 'til December 23, 1991 down-payme- nt Easy payment plans Immediate coverage countrywide claim service Free rate quote 24-ho- IQ ROSSACTION INC ess:O 'fr m - ouesT Computer Service People$ng 4575 South 700 West Rlvordale, Utah 84405 393-0Q5- 0 WS OR CALL 100-266-778- 2 VISA Call us today or stop by our local office: toucouonoi Software 78 X D G D 0 D 0 0 0 D 0 D 0 0 I D it 1981 No- - Main, Lay ton (Corner of Main & Antelope) jj GETJOKNOV 0 GEE1CO QE3EZ3l |