What Was Your Favorite Memory of Returning Home After a Long or Temporary Deployment? What Made This So Special?:

It was May 1969 in Vietnam, after nearly 13 months as a combat Marine, when I was pulled back to battalion headquarters on Hill 55 to rotate back to the World. On my way from the mess hall, the clerk I always pestered about my flight yelled, Corporal Mulldune, how soon can you get your shit together? I got a flight for tomorrow if you can make it to Danang. Watch my blur. I can make it! I was sky high. So many times in the bush I d watch freedom birds heading home and wish it was me. Now it was. I checked in my weapon, dumped my gear in a pile for the pogues, and said a few half-hearted goodbyes nothing like leaving my guys on Hill 10.