Destiny
I had no plan for my life until God stepped in13 total reviews
Comment from estory
I liked the personal reminiscence style of this, and the details in the writing about the news of the war, the draft, and particularly the vaccination really put us in the middle of this tumultuous time. I also liked the descriptions of the icy cold winter wind off of Lake Michigan. Its a great symbol of the stiffening up you were doing in preparation for going to Vietnam. It certainly brought back memories of that time in the late sixties and early seventies while the war was always in the news, my parents watched Walter Cronkite every night and as we got older we began to wonder if we would be called in the draft. It seemed the war would never end. estory
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2021
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I liked the personal reminiscence style of this, and the details in the writing about the news of the war, the draft, and particularly the vaccination really put us in the middle of this tumultuous time. I also liked the descriptions of the icy cold winter wind off of Lake Michigan. Its a great symbol of the stiffening up you were doing in preparation for going to Vietnam. It certainly brought back memories of that time in the late sixties and early seventies while the war was always in the news, my parents watched Walter Cronkite every night and as we got older we began to wonder if we would be called in the draft. It seemed the war would never end. estory
Comment Written 02-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2021
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Thanks for your kind review estory. I'd forgotten about Walter Cronkite. How I wish that he was reporting the news again.
Comment from LJbutterfly
This is a fascinating story with action and great imagery from beginning to end. It is creatively written with great flow from one event to the next throughout. It's amazing how life can change based on one decision. This is well written. Best wishes in the contest.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2021
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This is a fascinating story with action and great imagery from beginning to end. It is creatively written with great flow from one event to the next throughout. It's amazing how life can change based on one decision. This is well written. Best wishes in the contest.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2021
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Thanks so much!
Comment from equestrik
I really enjoyed reading this story and I am so glad things worked out so well in all areas of life for you. Some things you military folks go through seem so degrading. I am sorry for that! All the best to you!
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2021
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I really enjoyed reading this story and I am so glad things worked out so well in all areas of life for you. Some things you military folks go through seem so degrading. I am sorry for that! All the best to you!
Comment Written 01-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2021
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Thank you so much. I've never totally understood why the military did some of the things it did, but I made it through. Thanks for the great review.
Comment from Bill Schott
This is a great story of that era when the draft was creating all kinds of choices for young men to make. Having missed the war innVietnam should be considered a blessing by itself. Glad it all worked out.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2021
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This is a great story of that era when the draft was creating all kinds of choices for young men to make. Having missed the war innVietnam should be considered a blessing by itself. Glad it all worked out.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2021
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It was a time unlike any that I had experienced before, having grown up watching WWII movies and reading comics starring Sgt. Rock and Easy Company. It was disheartening to watch the news and the way the returning vets were treated, but as you mentioned, I made it through. Thanks for the great review.
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for sharing your interesting experience in the Navy! I'm glad you didn't have to go to Vietnam but you were faithful to serve the time you signed up for. Thank you! And how marvelous to know that God knew exactly what you needed to bring you to those decisions at the right time, to be married, to move to Alaska, and most of all, to be in fellowship with Him. Hope you do well in the contest!
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2021
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Thank you for sharing your interesting experience in the Navy! I'm glad you didn't have to go to Vietnam but you were faithful to serve the time you signed up for. Thank you! And how marvelous to know that God knew exactly what you needed to bring you to those decisions at the right time, to be married, to move to Alaska, and most of all, to be in fellowship with Him. Hope you do well in the contest!
Comment Written 31-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2021
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Thank you for your wonderful review. It's encouraging to know that God has everything under control, even though at times it may not seem that way.
Comment from zanya
It's a really good entry for the Life choices entry for the contest - sharing a real and meaningful and life-changing event in life and how it impacted subsequent personal events - thanks for sharing this with the readership - has my vote !
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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It's a really good entry for the Life choices entry for the contest - sharing a real and meaningful and life-changing event in life and how it impacted subsequent personal events - thanks for sharing this with the readership - has my vote !
Comment Written 30-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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Thanks so much zanya for the kind review. It's been a lot of fun writing on this site, so much good feedback. Have a great day.
Comment from royowen
My brother struck the drafting jackpot and was called up, he was subsequently wounded in the Vietnam fracas and because it was in his derrière, he persuaded the officer not to report it our mum. Yes indeed, I think army or navy life would certainly tweak our priorities in life, thanks for sharing, good write, blessings Roy
Typo : told fifty (some) young sailors, (some) black, white and otherwise. 2: No washing machines(,)
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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My brother struck the drafting jackpot and was called up, he was subsequently wounded in the Vietnam fracas and because it was in his derrière, he persuaded the officer not to report it our mum. Yes indeed, I think army or navy life would certainly tweak our priorities in life, thanks for sharing, good write, blessings Roy
Typo : told fifty (some) young sailors, (some) black, white and otherwise. 2: No washing machines(,)
Comment Written 30-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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Thanks for the kind review and the corrections. Several other folks pointed out my mistakes as well. I feel like such an amateur, but it's nice to know folks are around to help.
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Well done
Comment from Susan Newell
This is an excellent story and having watched young men face the same decisions about the draft, I can relate. Your story is interesting and well told. I liked the part about the square knots for hanging laundry. I guess the navy is all about being cold and wet and tying knots. :-) I caught just a few things, proofreading as I went along. Good luck in the contest and congratulations on a good choice and good life.
told fifty some -- add hyphen, just like fifty-five
barracks was an every day chore -- s/b everyday
There were, of course, no washing machines that would have been too easy. -- run-on sentence. End after machines, and begin anew.
The next chance I got I hit the -- suggest comma after got
bungalo -- s/b bungalow
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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This is an excellent story and having watched young men face the same decisions about the draft, I can relate. Your story is interesting and well told. I liked the part about the square knots for hanging laundry. I guess the navy is all about being cold and wet and tying knots. :-) I caught just a few things, proofreading as I went along. Good luck in the contest and congratulations on a good choice and good life.
told fifty some -- add hyphen, just like fifty-five
barracks was an every day chore -- s/b everyday
There were, of course, no washing machines that would have been too easy. -- run-on sentence. End after machines, and begin anew.
The next chance I got I hit the -- suggest comma after got
bungalo -- s/b bungalow
Comment Written 30-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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Thanks Susan for the great review and the corrections. I appreciate your insight and direction.
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You are welcome.
Comment from Wendy G
This is an interesting story with plenty of detail so the reader can readily imagine the scenario and the thoughts of the young man. It is told in a conversational way, and is on topic. Good wishes for the contest.
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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This is an interesting story with plenty of detail so the reader can readily imagine the scenario and the thoughts of the young man. It is told in a conversational way, and is on topic. Good wishes for the contest.
Comment Written 30-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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Thanks for your kind review Wendy. It's been fun writing for this site.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Magnificent piece--rife with rich detail and a compelling message. This may be a winner.
Sugg:
There were, of course, no washing machines [SEMICOLON] that would have been too easy. There was a special room for washing our clothes [COMMA] with long trays of pumice-like stone and overhead faucets. On day one we were issued small brushes for scrubbing our duds [COMMA] and a length of cotton string that had to be cut into twelve[HYPHEN]inch lengths.
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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Magnificent piece--rife with rich detail and a compelling message. This may be a winner.
Sugg:
There were, of course, no washing machines [SEMICOLON] that would have been too easy. There was a special room for washing our clothes [COMMA] with long trays of pumice-like stone and overhead faucets. On day one we were issued small brushes for scrubbing our duds [COMMA] and a length of cotton string that had to be cut into twelve[HYPHEN]inch lengths.
Comment Written 29-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2021
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Thank you for the review and the punctuation Elizabeth, you're very helpful.
