Pop Smoke, Birds Inbound is an intimate and richly detailed account of a different side of the Vietnam War. Written in narrative chronological episodes, Pop Smoke, Birds Inbound is a unique glimpse into the life of a grunt from combat to drugs to sexual exploits, along with incisive portraits of those individuals who fought in a war the United States would never win. Despite all his discomforts the grunt did his job well.

Fragmento. � Reproducci�n autorizada. Todos los derechos reservados.

Pop Smoke, Birds Inbound

The Forgotten Soldier

By Rick R. Garcia

AuthorHouse

CHAPTER 1

Episode One

Destination Vietnam

January 22, 1971, after the completion of advanced infantry training, I made the best of a 30-day leave. With an MOS (Military Occupation School) of 11B20 (Light Weapons Infantry) my military orders were to report to Oakland Army Base Deportation Center for overseas processing.

Being a sole surviving son, I remained confident I wouldn't be sent to the front line. Besides, the recently inaugurated 37th President of the United States was going to put an end to the war politician's conveniently labeled "conflict."

Accompanied by my parents, Dad placed the gear shift of his 1963 Dodge Dart in reverse and pulled out of the driveway. The neighbor was seated in his favorite chair enjoying an early morning cup of coffee before heading for his ranch. He waved as we pulled out the driveway. Like one of his own, he was troubled about me going to Vietnam.

The home on Wilkins and Liggett brought back painful memories of the death of a popular neighborhood boy killed in Vietnam during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

All Along the Watch Tower played on the radio as Dad turned onto Union Avenue. Ignoring Mom's nurturing words, I clutched the dollar bill my grandmother gave me for good luck.

* * *

My predicament could have been avoided entirely if I had remained in college. The decision to leave the community college would eventually be the decision that sent me to Vietnam. Due to poor choices and lack of effort, I struggled through the previous semester, falling below a 2.0 grade point average.

A recent promotion from salad chef to evening cook at a local restaurant allowed me to consider time off from school. After discussing my options with the deferment officer, she agreed I would be able to retain my deferment as long as I returned in the fall.

Besides employment, time off from school gave me an opportunity to entertain a life of drinking and drugs. Gambling the war would end before the fun ran out, I didn't take the draft seriously. Unfortunately, I lost. Within two weeks the official selective service envelope arrived at my door — I had been drafted.

Rushing back to the campus, I headed for the deferment office to investigate.

"Can I help you?" asked an elderly woman standing at the counter.

"Can I speak with the Miss White?" I asked.

"I'm the new deferment officer," answered the unfamiliar face. "Where's Miss White?" I asked.

"She took a position at Junior college up north. Can I help you?"

"I received a draft notice and according to Miss White my deferment was placed on hold until next fall."

"What's your name?"

"Garcia."

"Let me pull your file."

The newly appointed deferment officer returned, shuffling through the paperwork in my file.

"Why didn't you return to school, Mr. Garcia?"

"I made arrangements to take a semester off," I replied truthfully.

"There's nothing in your file that indicates that, so when you didn't return to school, I dropped your deferment. Sorry, there's nothing I can do for you now," said the deferment officer sympathetically.

"There has to be something you can do. I don't want to go to Vietnam!" I pleaded.

"I will only reinstate your deferment if you enroll in a minimum of ten and a half units. Until then, there is nothing I can do."

I spent the entire day pleading with instructors to allow me to enroll in their class. The majority of instructors claimed I had missed too many da

"Sobre este t�tulo" puede pertenecer a otra edici�n de este libro.

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Mooney's bookstore
Netherlands

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Condiciones de venta

Derecho al desistimiento

Si es un consumidor, puede rescindir el contrato de acuerdo con lo siguiente. Por consumidor se entiende cualquier persona f�sica que act�e con fines ajenos a su actividad comercial, empresarial, oficio o profesi�n.

Informaci�n sobre el derecho de desistimiento

Derecho legal de desistimiento

Tiene derecho a rescindir este contrato en un plazo de 14 d�as sin dar ning�n motivo.

El periodo de desistimiento vencer� a los 14 d�as desde que usted, o un tercero que no sea el transportista e indicado por usted, adquiera la posesi�n f�sica del �ltimo bien o del �ltimo lote o pieza.

Para ejercer el derecho de desistimiento, complete de forma electr�nica y env�e una declaraci�n clara en nuestro sitio web, desde "Mis compras" en "Mi cuenta". Le enviaremos sin demora un acuse de recibo de dicho desistimiento a trav�s de un soporte duradero (por ejemplo, por correo electr�nico).

Para cumplir con el plazo de desistimiento, basta con que env�e su comunicaci�n relativa al ejercicio del derecho de desistimiento antes de que venza el periodo de desistimiento.

Efectos del desistimiento

Si rescinde este contrato, le reembolsaremos todos los pagos que hayamos recibido de usted, incluidos los gastos de env�o (excepto los gastos adicionales que surjan si elige un tipo de env�o que no sea el tipo de env�o est�ndar m�s econ�mico que ofrecemos).

Podemos hacer una deducci�n del reembolso por la p�rdida de valor de cualquier bien suministrado, si la p�rdida es el resultado de una manipulaci�n innecesaria por su parte.

Efectuaremos el reembolso sin demoras indebidas y, a m�s tardar, 14 d�as despu�s de que se nos informe de su decisi�n de rescindir este contrato.

Efectuaremos el reembolso utilizando el mismo medio de pago que utiliz� para la transacci�n inicial, a menos que haya acordado expresamente lo contrario; en cualquier caso, no incurrir� en ning�n cargo como resultado de dicho reembolso.

Podremos retener el reembolso hasta que hayamos recibido los bienes o hasta que nos haya presentado una prueba de que los ha devuelto, lo que ocurra primero.

Deber� devolver los bienes o entregarlos a Mooney's bookstore, Den Helder, Netherlands, sin demoras indebidas y, en cualquier caso, en un plazo m�ximo de 14 d�as a partir del d�a en que nos comunique su desistimiento del presente contrato. El plazo se cumple si devuelve la mercanc�a antes de que venza el periodo de 14 d�as. Tendr� que asumir los gastos directos de devoluci�n de los bienes. Usted solo es responsable de la disminuci�n del valor de los bienes como resultado de una manipulaci�n distinta a la necesaria para establecer la naturaleza, las caracter�sticas y el funcionamiento de los bienes.

Excepciones al derecho de desistimiento

El derecho de desistimiento no se aplica a lo siguiente:

La entrega de peri�dicos, diarios o revistas, con la excepci�n de los contratos de suscripci�n; y
El suministro de contenido digital que no se proporcione en un soporte tangible (por ejemplo, en un CD o DVD) si, al hacer el pedido, acept� que pod�amos empezar a entregarlo y que no podr�a desistir una vez iniciada la entrega.

Condiciones de env�o

Tarifas de env�o de Holanda a Estados Unidos de America

Tarifas de env�o de Holanda a Estados Unidos de America
Cantidad del pedido	De 14 a 21 d�as h�biles	De 5 a 10 d�as h�biles
Primer art�culo	EUR 14.95	EUR 34.95

Los plazos de entrega los establecen los vendedores y var�an seg�n el transportista y la ubicaci�n. Los pedidos que pasan por la aduana pueden sufrir retrasos y los compradores son responsables de los aranceles o tarifas asociadas. Los vendedores pueden ponerse en contacto con usted en relaci�n con cargos adicionales para cubrir cualquier aumento en los costes de env�o de los art�culos.