Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelKid, Candy Store and a SpiralShortly after my 21st birthday, I started my new and official life at the Subic Dispensary on a Monday morning in October 1969. At my…Sep 5, 20192Sep 5, 20192
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelAnother Door OpensAfter I’d reenlisted, life went back to usual for around two weeks. Sitting at home on Mill Street one day, I received a large yellow…Nov 29, 2018Nov 29, 2018
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelRight Back Where I StartedThree years, one month and ten days after I’d left 930 Mill Street, New Madrid, Missouri, I was back. This time I was a veteran, hung over…Nov 1, 2018Nov 1, 2018
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelDodging a BulletIn August 1969, Hurricane Camille was slated to arrive in New Orleans and the surrounding coastline.[1] I had been through two during my…Oct 23, 2018Oct 23, 2018
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelSeeking NormalIn early 1969, I traveled to New Orleans to begin the end of my enlistment. I flew by plane from Missouri since the engine for the car I’d…Oct 16, 20181Oct 16, 20181
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelYou Really Can’t Go Home AgainAs I waited for the plane to depart, I decided to make a collect telephone call to see if I could rustle up a ride from the airport in…Sep 18, 20181Sep 18, 20181
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelStumbling HomeThe first leg of my flight out of Vietnam only took a couple of hours. We flew to Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa, which at that time was…Sep 5, 20182Sep 5, 20182
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelThe FinishAfter returning to the Battalion following my treatment for malaria, life became as routine as it could get in the shithole. Eat, work…Aug 21, 2018Aug 21, 2018
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelPTSDI missed being in the bush. Not so much in the bush as being in the bush with my friends. Other than Chavez and Stokes, I didn’t know…Jul 24, 20181Jul 24, 20181
Michael HayesinWar, Cigarettes and San MiguelLife in the RearAfter the brief helicopter ride back to Quang Tri, Dr. Baker had a jeep waiting for him that promptly whisked us off to the Battalion Aid…Jul 8, 20181Jul 8, 20181