September 2003
On the 15th we departed for Columbia, South Carolina to attend my niece's graduation from Basic Training at FT Jackson. We also made our first truck stop for fuel today.
We made reservations at Sesquicentennial State Park because it was very close to FT Jackson. Entrance to the park is off of US-1. The road into the park is wide and paved. However, the camping area roads are dirt, rutty, and very, very narrow. It is difficult for big rigs to maneuver on the camping area roads. Large pine trees are very, very close to the road edges. The camp sites are standard; picnic table, water, and 30 Amp service box. There is NO TV reception- guess it’s due to the gently rolling topography and dense tall pine trees. There are a couple of bath houses that are very clean and in good condition. There is one dump station upon exiting the camping area. However, the station is only designed for one vehicle, with others backing-up and waiting on the one-way exit road- not a good situation, especially if you don’t want to use the dump station. Best feature about this park is it’s proximity to FT Jackson; less than 15 minutes away.
Unfortunately, the park was old and not designed for big rigs. Trying to find a suitable site for our rig, I helped the RV kiss one of the trees on the side of the road. What a terrible way to start a vacation! The left side of the RV sustained damage to the bedroom topper making it impossible to slide out, and worst of all, the sewage discharge pipe was ripped off. There were other scrapes on the left slide, but the sewer pipe was the biggest problem. There were no sewage leaks, but we could not dump the tanks. I called USAA ,my insurance company, and reported the collision. I also called Tom, Service Manager at Sunline and explained the situation. He said that I could bring the RV back to the factory for repairs. A factory repair seemed like the best place to have the repairs made. We cancelled a trip to Charleston and headed directly to the factory after the graduation activities and ceremonies.
The graduation was very impressive. I must say that FT Jackson laid out and executed a flawless plan for their graduation. The weather in Columbia was perfect despite hurricane Isabel reeking havoc on the Outer Banks. There were briefings, demonstrations, and dinners at the various on base clubs for the graduates and their families. I think that at least 75% of the graduates had family in attendance from all over the country. I saw one van from California with “Ft Jackson 1-34th or bust” written across the rear wheel cover. It has been 43 years since I graduated from Boot Camp at Great Lakes, IL. I broke out my old uniform and wore it to the graduation ceremony; the uniform that I retired in 23 years ago. I still remember the thrill and what the kids call today, “a rush” of passing in review and marching to that stirring patriotic music. The thrill and rush came back to me as I knew it would. What a sight to see those 1275 “kids” in their uniforms and watching their families from all over the country looking on with so much pride and love, and most likely a lot of anxiety due to current world problems. They all looked so young; not old enough to drink and most can’t even vote yet. But yet they are all old enough to die for their country. Our nation sends them into Harms Way with out blinking an eye. These young men and women have been transformed from civilian volunteers into American Fighting Men and Women as part of the greatest Army in the world in an all too brief nine weeks. Sadly to say, they are prepared to die for you and me and all peace loving people. God bless our service men and women; please bring them home safe and sound. This is one retired Navy man who is still proud to be an American.
October brings the RV home after damage repairs
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