Joseph (Stan) Sowder:
CLASS OF 1965
Arsenal Technical High School 716Class of 1965
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana Wesleyan UniversityClass of 1995
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana Central CollegeClass of 1992
Indianapolis, IN
Thomas Gregg Elementary School 15Class of 1959
Indianapolis, IN
Joseph (Stan)'s Story
Life
Life is never too boring especially when you have a twin. I was born in an ambulance (I think my brother needed more space).? It is quite a good feeling having another you, even though we used to fight all the time. In high school things became to change. we both chose different professions and paths to take. My other (older) brother mentored me (but I don't remember listening).
After H.S. and the army I soon met the lady of my dreams. We were both into dancing and many other things.
Now at the age of 63, three of our children are raised, and the last one is 22.
Life is good. As a christian I have never had to worry about the future. I did and do, but I know things will always work out.
My brothers, my mother, and my wife's mother all live close and we communicate often. My dad and mom has now passed away and miss them very much.
School
After High School my career in the Sheet Metal Vocation began. Within the month, I was a full fledged construction worker. After my four years of apprenticeship, I continuously looked for something to occupy my spare time. Yes I was married and enjoyed my children, but I wanted more from work. I took construction detailing classes and even tried other odd jobs. Eventually tried college part time and stuck with it. Graduated with an Associates degree from old Indiana Central after five years, rested two years and decided to get my bachelor's at Indiana Wesleyan. All in all the time spend in college was worth it. I did receive kudos from the people that count, and got my position in management. Even now sometimes I want more, but am at the age where life and family is really enough for me.
College
College was not in my future after high school. I was going to work to make money. Well, when I turned forty-two and tuition was mostly covered by employers I gave it a try.
Five years at Indiana Central (now Univ of Indpls.) was very interesting. I enjoyed all of my classes. Other younger students thought I was smart (boy did I have them fooled). My majors were in business and data processing. What I Learned from computers helped this old man into the 21st century, quite a boon later on.
Two years after IC I signed up for concentrated courses at Indiana Wesleyan. This was really neat. The other students were not young kids and I was not thought of as the smart old one. Even better, the conversation drew me and everyone else to a higher level. Writing, presentations, group studies, and libraries were an everyday occurrance then. At 48 When all of this was over, I understood the feeling that the 22 year olds have 'where do I go from here'. I really did want to go back for my Masters, but my wife woke me up with " I am not talking to the walls while you study for another two years". Schools out.
Life is all you make it. Don't make it any harder that it already is.
Workplace
My...Expand for more
work life started with the art of delivering newspapers. What the heck, it helped me see the movies and snacks during H.S..
After H.S. I had 1 week of freedom before starting at a sheet metal construction company (Tarpenning and LaFollette). This was not difficult work, just laborious. In the next 17 1/2 years I worked at several metal construction companies. It was and is very respectable work.
In 1984 a company my brother works for called me and offered me a job in its factory. I took it and have been there at Allison Transmission ever since.
I was restless with working there and wanted something more. So, in the 1990's started college classes. Now, after many years of this I finally made it to the big time; I is a Managerial type supervisor. I many times believe my steps forward were countered and I could have made a huge mistake by trying to be this unique problem solver.
Retirement may not come fast enough. Is asking for the next 10 years (before retirement) to go fast disgusting. I would be 66 then.
Military
At the age of 19 I received a letter that said I was important to the United States and to report to the downtown draft board. When the day came, my twin brother and I reported for duty. He went on the next bus and I went home (My time to report was 45 days later due to a broken finger). I was eventually taken to Fort Knox, Kentucky. As a puke, there was no where to go but up. Basic trng was no fun. It was hot in the barracks without a/c. in July.
Soon enough I became a full fledged Military Policeman and was sent to Sandhofen, Germany. Now I was an under-rank lowly pfc working as a security guard in "C" block or in one of the four tower shacks. These were 8 feet square with no heat or a/c. The temperature was around 30 to 50 degrees (in winter months).
After 3 months of this, 20 other men and myself put transfers in for Viet Nam. They had to take us. No transfers to Nam could be denied (That should have told us something).
The first week in Nam is confusing. Arriving in Nam without a weapon until assigned to your unit was like telling you you are not in the game yet, even though people can shoot at yours truly.
Assigned to a place in the boonies called Dien was next. It was ok except when it got dark. The helicoper pad was less than a football field away, and they flew missions half of the night 'every night'.
At this time, my twin brother was in Long Bien, Viet Nam. I transferred to that base and at various times was able to spend time with him (he was a surgery technician).
Being in Nam was not too bad for me, with not having any actual hand to hand combat. I did catch a rare disease from the tree sap (waiting for an ambush), Lost all four wisdom teeth (normally), caught sniper fire every other night, and felt I would die at any moment.
The flight home never looked so good. Thank you America.
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