Gary Petersen:  

Life Grad Fitch 61 and joined US Army in July 61 to be an Army Bandsman (musician). Had played in school bands since 5th grade, so why not? Did Basic Training at Ft. Dix, NJ and from there went to The USN School of Music in Anacostia, Wash DC. There was no Army Music School at that time. There was lots of live music around the area. Jazz Greats (Miles-JJ- Coltrane etc) and Rock 'n Roll at The Peppermint Lounge. After six months of living with hundreds of musicians- most of them draftees out of College, I graduated and got assigned right back to Ft. Dix. It was fun there, but it was a huge Recruit Center and noplace for a dude like me- I needed to see more of the world than Trenton and Philly. I put in a request for foreign duty and instead of being sent to Korea or Vietnam, I was assigned to Coligny Caserne at Orleans, France. I arrived there Nov 62 and immediatly got into the routine playing parades, concerts, and dances all over North Central France. There were a few Military jobs here and there, but not too many. So many girls and so little time....... Speaking of girls, I had a special French one named Betty Moinard. We saw each other whenever we were both in town. Her Mom and Dad did not approve, but that didn'...Expand for more