The Lighter Side of the Military Henry the Goldfish

There are many things that need to be taken into consideration when making the decision to join the military. It is sad to say but often pets are affected by the choice of its owner. In my case it was my beloved goldfish, Henry, who was involved in the military service.

At the time I decided to join the United States Navy Henry was not on my mind at all. With all branches of the service having recruiting offices in the same building and my having very little knowledge of any my first and only choice was the Navy - I based this merely on the fact my favorite uncle had served in the Navy.

After the testing and deciding what field I would go into (Advanced Electronics) it was time to get ready for basic training (boot-camp). As I cleared up my desk preparing to be gone for a long period of time my eyes settled on the round fish bowl setting on the corner of my desk. Henry, my dear companion gazed at me with questioning eyes.

I had no choice, the commitment had been made to the Navy and knew from the list of allowed items the recruiter had given me I was not going to be able to take. What was I to do?

After an hour or more of frustration and not coming up with an answer my youngest sister knocked on my bedroom door. You can read more about that same sister in 'The Disastrous Canoe Ride" but at this moment she became the answer to my problem and Henry's life saver.

Not usually permitted entrance into my room I welcomed her in. She was upset about my leaving but I immediately got her mind off that with a simple statement, "I don't know what I'm going to do with Henry while I'm gone."

The outgoing eleven-year-old was quick to solve the dilemma. "I can take care of him!"

Exactly what I was thinking! I proceeded to give instructions: feeding, cleaning his bowl, and talking to him. Yes, I talk to my fish! Henry helped me with many problems including studying for college geology finals and deciding what outfit to wear on dates.

As I boarded the bus for Detroit to take my oath my family, friends, and Henry were on my mind. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived but my little sister promised she would write and let me know how Henry was.

It wasn't a week before I started receiving the first letters from home. My sister's letters became the favorites for the 50 young women in my basic training company. Setting in the barracks evenings in Florida we all loved hearing what Henry was up to back home.

The favorite was when sis reported Henry loved Michael Jackson. Understand, this was the mid 70s. The Jackson Five were just becoming big and my sister was a fan. Our father however was not. After using her weekly allowance to buy a 45 record Daddy announced she was not going to play that garbage in his house.

My sister was mad but it didn't take her long to come up with an answer. In tears she informed our father that Henry needed exercise and the only way he would do it was when she played the record. She went on and on about Faith being away and trusting her to take good care of Henry and if she didn't I was going to be mad at HER.

It seems whenever she played Michael Jackson's record Henry would swim round and round in his bowl. As soon as she turned it off Henry would stop. For weeks Henry and my sister enjoyed their music and Daddy submitted to 'only when I'm not home, if I hear it it's in the trash'.

Henry's involvement with the military did not end with basic training graduation. On leave before reporting to my A-School in San Diego, California I purchased a car (72 Ford Torino Sport) and loaded books, civilian cloths, and Henry into the car for my trip to Sunny California.

While in boot-camp Henry had become a celebrity and at A-School it was no surprise that several of my classmates were thrilled to finally meet Henry. Anyone who had not met Henry through my sister's letters quickly fell in love with him and he became the barracks mascot. The first sign of a barracks inspection sent who ever was in the building running to my room to put Henry (and his bowl) in my locker.

Joining the military, any branch, is a serious decision and as these service men and woman serve our country there are things to remember to help support our troops: keep those letters from home coming, help with something as simple as caring for pets as well as family left behind is important, a little bit of humor does help those stressful days.

'Support Our Troops'