Recon to Civi

Corporal Horvath

11-27-61 - 9-09-64

Honorably Discharged & Going to College

My official discharge date was set for November 25, 1964, but I had an 'Intel' advantage. Working in Administration, I discovered a regulation that allowed a Marine to be discharged up to three months early if they were enrolled in higher education. I didn't hesitate. I registered for the Fall semester at Carlsbad-Oceanside Junior College and successfully secured my early release.

On September 9, 1964—seventy-seven days ahead of schedule—I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. I traded my Dress Blues for textbooks, picking up odd jobs just to keep a roof over my head in California. But despite the 'Hollywood' sun, I was homesick for the streets of Chicago.

Moving Furniture for Rent $

I got a job loading and unloading one of these bad boys. I was in good shape, so I enjoyed meeting folks who were on the go and keeping my body in shape. My cousin Ron, worked for Atlas Van Lines as a driver, who also loaded and unloaded his van to cut back on costs, since he had a budget that he could manipulate. Somehow, I was following in his footsteps. Maybe good maybe not. Time would tell.

One Phone Call Changed My Life

My brother, Ernie, called me to tell me that Mom had been in a car accident and wasn't doing well. I didn't have any plans to go back, and I didn't want to leave Judy, even for a week. But I loved my mother and knew I had to be with her to help in any way I could.

I had just completed the fall semester and hadn't registered for the winter semester yet. So, I moved out of my rental and went to talk to Judy. I told her about my mother and the fact that I needed to go back to be with her. She asked how long I would be gone. I told her I didn't know. She said, "How do I know you won't be dating?" I promised her I wouldn't. Then, she shocked me. She handed me the engagement ring and said something along the lines of, "Now we can both be free to do what comes next."

I was completely stunned. I got in my car and drove to Illinois, barely stopping for much more than gas, food, and a short nap along the way. I was devastated, getting clobbered by life on both ends of the highway.

When I finally got home, I crashed on the bed for 24 straight hours. Eventually, I went to the hospital to see Mom. Her head was heavily bandaged, and she wasn't very lucid. In fact, she thought I was Dr. Kildare. She didn't recognize me, even after I specifically told her I was Sandy, her son. It took a few visits for her to finally know who I was, which was a huge relief, but the initial experience was shocking.

Shocking!

While I was home, I called Judy a couple of times, but she seemed very distant. During those two weeks, I sold my old car and bought a 1964 Dodge Polara. I stayed in Illinois for two weeks, always burdened by a deep concern about Judy's attitude.

When it was time to return, I drove almost straight through. I stopped to clean up a bit at a gas station and drove straight to Judy's parents' house. It was after dinner, and she came out to see me, which felt odd. She was completely standoffish and flat-out told me she was not interested in continuing our engagement.

To this day, I am still so shocked by that moment that I can't remember what I did next. I don't even know where I stayed for the following few days. I do remember calling home and telling my brother about being dumped. He was incredibly supportive and just told me to hang in there. What's Next?

I Promoted Ace to

1st Sergeant Ace

Now he is leading me into the future.

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