I was in a bar off base that had jazz
on the jukebox. Not so many airmen went in there.
I saw a guy I used to be in the band with in
Phil Claypool. He was playing a gig at the NCO Club
in a band led by Ray Helal, another former member of that band.
Helal’s nickname was Hambones. Claypool was embarrassed to be
playing in a show band. Playing NCO Clubs. I was embarrassed to be
a reenlistee. Prior-service. Lost a stripe for being out over 90 days.
Still came back in. Couldn’t hack it on the outside.
Couldn’t make it as a civilian.