I just watched a moving video about a little man with special needs in a school in Mn. My niece, Tina, posted it. The other little men were wise beyond their years. It's so nice to see things like this. Yep, I'm leading up to another little story about the Army when I was in.
His real name escapes me, I only knew him as "Hopalong". How he got drafted ,we didn't know as he had severe mental problems. All of us were in the same boat in basic training but Hopalong was in his own boat. It was really hard for him to train like the rest of us. However, instead of ridicule, the DI and us, the trainees, realized that this guy was doing his best and so, everyone 'adopted' him and helped him to get through basic.
So where did Hopalong get his nickname? Well, he was always out of step when we marched so he soon learned how to do the half step skip to get back with the rest of us but it didn't last. On every march it was"Hopalong, half step!" It seemed to help him when we did the "Jody cadence" The rhythm of "Sound Off" helped him some.
On our 'graduation day" our company did the full honors, Marching band, colors, banners, pass in review, etc.It was a bright sun shining day in VA and we were proud!
Hopalong was in my column that day. As we passed the reviewing stand with the General in salute,, the command "Eyes Right!" was given. We smartly turned our heads to the right and, low and behold, one leg in the column belonging to Hopalong was doing its own thing..the opposite of all the others. The General must've been in on the secret as nothing was said.
I heard that 'Hopalong' was to be discharged but he gave his best.
The good that is in us, sometimes shows up in unusual places and times.
Ok, back to the normal threads.
solo1
