I joined the Army 
April 29,1971—June 4,1973.
It feels like it was just yesterday...but not.
When we met our drill instructor, Sergeant Gonzalez,
it was an eye-opener.
“Here they make boys into men.”
When I joined the Army,
“They break you and build you up to make you.” 
Our first  stop was to be trained at Fort Ord, CA.
Basic Training.
And then after that, A.I.T.,
which means Advanced Infantry Training,
to get us all ready for Vietnam.
Yes, we were ready and scared and nervous. 
But we were well trained.
I joined the Army to serve my country 
and never to forget those who served before us.
As soldiers we were all brothers;
we did not see different colors in our skin.
When l joined the Army,
I joined a brotherhood with one another.