Red Sweat Shirts and
Yellow Foot Prints
I have noticed that the posts about the yellow footprints at
the recruit depots have folks that remember them and those that don’t. If any
of you guys were like me, noticing and remembering said yellow footprints was
the last thing on our mind during those first hours.
MCRD on February 8th, 1960 was my destination.
Flying in from Detroit via Chicago during a snowstorm was exciting and arriving
in San Diego was absolutely wonderful. Warm weather and a nice Marine invited
us to board his 6X in front of the airport. His words were “Get in the truck,
spit out that gum, no talking, keep your arms inside the vehicle at all time
and all I want to see are assholes and elbows! Now MOVE!”
I was the last in the 6X so I had a seat looking out the
rear. Behind us, on the way to the depot, was a white 1958 convertible Cadillac
with a beautiful blond driving. I sort of waved and she waved back. I’ve been
in love with San Diego ever since.
