Sunday, November 13, 2011
Jim and I served together in A Co. of the 114th Infantry, New Jersey Army National Guard. We met as we rode in a 2 1/2 ton truck from Camden to Fort Drum, NY. During the ride Jim gave me the short course on the unit I had just joined and tips on how to survive as a rookie in the unit. He was a great help to we recent enlistees. After a few years I received a commission and was transferred to another company. We met intermittantly as our paths crossed. In the 70's we met again when I was transferred back to our old battalion as the commander. There I encountered Jim as Master Sergeant James Matreale, doing an outstanding job as an operations sergeant. His only comment as he smiled was "Welcome home sir" I pray that those were the words God uttered when they met last week. CRW
