It began in 1959.

On September 18, 1959 I reported to the USMC Boot Camp in San Diego. Ed and I were members of the same platoon there and housed in the same Quonset hut. Our friendship really began on the bus ride home for our first leave at the end of boot camp. The next step in our military training was Infantry Training Regiment on Camp Pendleton. Apparently they didn't want to start that four week training until after Christmas so we were all sent on leave whether we wanted it or not.
Ed was (and is) from Calamus, IA. near Davenport so we rode the bus together for two days on our way home. At Omaha, NB. and Ed went east and I north to SD. That long bus trip gave us the leisure we never had in Boot Camp to get acquainted. We've been frinds ever since.
We met again in Infantry Training Regiment and then were assigned to the same infantry company on Camp Pendleton for the next eighteen months. Not only were we in the same company but we were both clerks in the office, had upper and lower bunks in the squad bay and wall lockers side by side.
In June, 1961 we were sent to Asia and the same living, working arrangements existed for us until we rotated back to the states in 1962. My three year enlistment was completed and I was discharged. Ed served his remaining year at Treasure Island, San Francisco.
Two weeks ago Ed, his wife Mary Jane, Joanne and I met in San Diego to relive old memories. That will be the subject of my next blog.