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I graduated from Danube High School in 1963. I didn't have any money to go to college so I worked until I had enough money to go to Willmar Community College for the winter quarter of 1964-65.
I lived on a farm by myself. I had 18 sows, and I had to get up. At 4:30 every morning to care for my hogs before driving 30 miles to go to my classes at college. The war in Veit Nam was esclating and I knew ad an obligation to serve. I had a 2S deferment but would be drafted if I dropped out of college or graduated.
I was baling hay for my neighbor in summer of 1965. He was in the Minnesota Air National Gaurd, he said I think you can get in. So I went with him and took all the tests and got in the "Gaurd".
I was sent to basic training in Texas for 4 months, was released from active duty but had 6 yrs of active reserve in front of me. I was glad to be in the mn Ang because at least nobody was shooting at me. But, those where tuff times. The anti war movement was becoming popular with the younger people who didn't feel they were obligated to serve, some had good cause but most just chickenshits.
In the 50 years I have been farming, I have gone though some real hell! But, the worst years of my life were those 6 years of active reserve with the Mn Air Nat Gaurd.
I had real good friends in the Gaurd, and we had some great times. But, every month we were told that we where about to be put on active duty. Unlike all the city boys who I served with who had jobs, I had a farm and a mortgage and an operating loan. If we were activated, witch is what it was called then, I don't know how my loans would have been paid.
Those of us young guys that were in Gaurd or reserves had to have short hair. That was a big deal! In those days it was really hard to pickup women if you had short hair!
Thinking back on those days, it was really bad, even much worse than today. Those of us young guys that were in Gaurd or reserves had to have short hair. That was a big deal! In those days it was really hard to pickup women if you had short hair! That may seem really stange now, but then, you were a "baby killer" if you had short hair! Because everyone who was not in the military had long hair. To this day I will not do any business with a man with long hair or a beard.
I never knew any one who died in the war. I had many friends who got drafted and spent 2 years stateside. Sometimes I think about those bad times and am just glad we had that conversation in the hay field, cause I could just as well have been just a name on the wall.
Those of us who were in the Nat Guard at that time have no benefits and aren't even considered vets buy the VA but that's ok, I got to fly all over in a C130 and nobody ever tried to kill me.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: Olivia, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Danube Minnesota, United States 
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Air Force
Dates of Service: 1966 - 1972
Veteran Organization: American Legion
Unit: 133rd support squadron
Specialty: Civil engineer
Story Themes: 133rd Support Squadron, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, Air Force, American Legion, Basic Training, Coming Home, Danube, Enlisting, Homefront, James Zenk, Jim Zenk, National Guard, Olivia, Student Deferment, The VA
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