Albert Gutierrez:  

Telling my story is not going to be easy on my emotions. After, or I should first say that I did enlist in the US Navy in April of '69, one month before Grad. The VP wanted to kick me out two week before grad, but I did manage to behave. I went to San Diego for boot camp. Than I was shipped to Japan where I hooked up with my first ship, the USS G. K. Mackenzie DD 836. We did many things over there (on the other side of the world). We service as escort for our Flat Tops. We did radar picket for our ships off the coast of North Vietnam. Meaning we were up front and in all the actions. The N. V. planes were afraid to come within 150 miles from us. No, we were not bad. The Navy planes had our back. There were times when we would be on the 'gun line' for up to 4 months. There was one time when we were off the coast of North Korea. We were there for 30 days and believe me it did not snow for three of days we were there. Which means the it snowed a lot. I would love to say I had a great time, as I would tell my mother, so she wouldn't have to worry about me. But the truth be told, I don't think any of us liked being there. We weren't there to fight for your freedom. We weren't there to fight for our flag, We were there to support our troops on the ground. We were there for them. They are my heros. My second ship was the USS Oklahoma CLG 5. It was there that I met my brother Joel. He made life over there more like fun. Thank you Joel. I know your going to read this. I got kick up of the Navy for drug abuses. And when I got back, well the people here were not friendly. They spited on my uniform with 6 ribbons and they call me a baby killer. I guess I was one of the lucky one. I've heard waster stories from others who where there. It was in September of '71 when I made it home. I was no longer a part of. I was on the outside looking in. I drank alone whenever my homies would leave me alone. It was as if I was still over there. I got married in '73, hoping that would get my mind out of Vietnam, but after two months I put a 30-30 Winchester to my head. Only to have my wife open the door. She has never been the same. We're still friends, we had two boy, Alberto Jr. and Joseph. We were together for 7 1/2 years before I got a wild hair up my a-- and left. My second marriage ('85) was hell. I had a better time in Vietnam, I did. And after driving her out of her mind for 10 years, I gave her, her freedom. After that my life started on a downward drive. I had 25 jobs in 26 year ('72-'98). Three jobs I only worked for three days. Walked into a recovery home in Vista, California on January 13, 1999. With nothing to live for. Just me and my truck. I know God was looking out for me every day of my life. I just had to stop running away from HIM. I have been sober and drug free since. "BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD". One day at a time. I have had th...Expand for more