The Photo

Last week I received a piece of mail from a still close ex-sister-in-law.  The envelope was stiff, flat and felt like a photo.

It was a photo from a long time ago.  She is in the process of moving and while going through stuff at the back of a closet she came across the picture.  Private Toritto in November 1963.

When one entered the military back then, the Army took your picture for your mom and dad or whomever else might want it.   Usually during the first week of basic training.

After an exhausting day, that evening we were ordered to put on our Army greens. hat, shirt and tie and line up in front of the adjacent barracks.  No pants.  Just shoes and underwear.  We wouldn’t need pants for the shot.  We didn’t know of course that it was picture taking evening.

Each of us walked in, sat down and SNAP.  Forever frozen in time and now preserved forever in the ether of the internet.

Looking at the photo I know I am very tired.  Those early days of getting in shape were rough.  Others who have seen it thought I looked more like a young S/S officer.

Sheesh.

Happy 4th!

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