John Gray:  

Life At 18 I joined the Army at Philadelphia, PA. I started my Army career at Fort Gordon, GA for basic combat training and advanced individual training as a Multichannel Communications Equipment Operator ( radios ). After school, I went to Vicenza, Italy for 3 years and never wanted to leave. I was in northern Italy between Verona and Venice. Usually went to Venice once a week for pizza and beer. Married a girl in the Army from Missouri and had a son John. I next went to Fort Hood, Texas and hated every minute in that dust bowl. After 18 months there, the Army decided to send me to Germany even though I had only 16 months left in my 7 year enlsitment. I next went to Heilbronn, Germany which is near the Black Forest. While there, I received the "Dear John" letter and my wife filed for divorce. I left the Army in 1982, divorced with a 2 year old son. My son John is now 28 and is a Petty Officer 1st Class in the Navy. He has served 1 tour in Afghanistan and 4 tours in Iraq. His son and my grandson, Matthew, is now 7 years old and lives in Missouri. After leaving the Army after 7 years,...Expand for more