I entered Art School in 1978 and got bored and dropped out in the spring of 1979.
Later that same year, I joined the US Army in the summer of 1979. I went to Ft. Lenard Wood, Missouri for Basic training. My MOS was 81E as a Graphic Illustrator. After that I was off to Ft Benning, GA assigned to HQ Company CMD. At Ft. Benning I was part (TRADOC) Training and Doctrine Command, so I made graphics for training and school support. My Godfather took the first picture of me in 1980 in Ft. Benning. I was given my first assignment after training and my Godfather who had retired in Florida drove up one weekend to see me. He was a WWII Navy Veteran whose ship was LST 371, which earned 4 Battle Stars including D-Day.
The next assignment was with the Signal Corps in the 66th Military Intelligence GP in Munich West Germany. In Munich I was under (INSCOM) or Army Intelligence and Security Command. At the 66th Mi Gp we created graphics and maps to support Army Intelligence reports; of which all would be Classified Material. I chose the closest thing to Artist in the Army Career job Field. In Munich it was an exciting time serving under Ronald Reagan, and the Cold War was Hot. We all loved Reagan the “Cowboy” giving us respect again.
The second picture is my Uncle Donny, my dad’s twin Brother. They were both US Marines serving during the last years of the Korean War. Both were sent to Korea in different Units. This was last Christmas at his home; I always stuff an Army hat or cap on his head for a picture. He then pretends to “spit on it.” Dad passed in 2007 but Donny is doing very well for 82 years of age. The next picture shows where they did some meet up in Korea for a few short days; I guess the Marine Units were all near each other. My Dad has the eyeglasses on.
Dad wasn’t a big talker and all he would tell me about the war was that it was brutally cold there. The Peace talks were being held during his time with now enemy contact. My Uncle Don is somewhat different; he has been having problems with memories and his nerves and to be honest he’s not sure what to make of it. He never until now never shared stories. So we don’t know what the truth really is. You see he recalls being told to shoot at a “live target” and since they both were on the 38th parallel, I guess anything is possible. It’s one of those things we leave alone being so long ago. And times now are so very different I guess his memories are better left back there.
I excited the Army from Ft. Dix, New Jersey and went back to college on the GI Bill, earning my BA in Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art.
I am currently a member of American Legion Post 34 in New Hampshire and work in advertising in Boston, Massachusetts as a graphic designer.
You can visit my work at www.pinterest.com/merrill2501/my-art/
~ Tom Merrill, US Army Veteran
