My Momma gave me Issues

My momma gave me issues. Is there anyone left except me that remembers the Cuba Missile crisis? I remember it very well since I grew up as an Air Force Brat whose father was in the SAC. No the SAC had nothing to do with a quarterback it stood for the Strategic Air Command. The SAC was the boys and gals that carried the big boys (nuclear bombs) during the cold war.

During the timeframe of the Cuban Missile crisis and into John Kennedy being killed we lived on an Air Force Base called Bunker Hill in Indiana. Those were the days where they had us school kids practice for the big one dropping by getting under our school desk. When the crisis came along I don't remember much of what lead up to it but I remember the results.

My father disappeared and 24/7 you could hear the bombers circling the base, taking off and landing. The first order of the day was to restrict all the "dependents" to their quarters so they could find them quick if they needed to. Well as it turned out the possible end of the world and a few rules was not enough to keep the wives from getting together for a card game and discussion about the events.

So I come out of my room and walking thru the living room when I hear my sweet momma say, "You know Henry and I lived in Japan right after the war and there was a lot of talk about the Koreans invading. But I can tell you what, before I let them Russians get my babies I will kill them in their sleep. "

To say the least when I heard kill and babies my hearing perked up. I remember thinking damn Mom, I know I am a little boy but give me a butter knife or something and let me fight them till I die. Let me go down like John Wayne!!!!  You going to kill me in my sleep? That was the beginning of my many issues. That is where I lost the will to sleep a lot and the desire to have a great time while awake. After all the Russians could still come any minute. Hey you got to blame it on something right?

Art Nalley

Redneck Heritage Network
@2011