Brad’s Gambling Life – Part 13, Military to Civilian

It was a wonderful life for Brad in Japan – but it was coming to an end.  In the fall of 1952 his enlistment period was almost over and he received his orders to return to the States.

Not only were Brad’s Japanese “subjects” sad that their beloved benevolent ruler would be leaving, but Japanese workers from all over the base loved and would miss their Tomason friend.   His warehouse back office had been THE place for any Japanese worker to find kindness in this kingdom – and free food from the Marine mess hall.  So they threw a big going-away party for him in the village just outside the base.  It was a true Japanese-style event, with special dishes that included octopus and other seafood ingredients that Brad didn’t want to think about.  However, the outpouring of friendship was something that he would always remember and cherish.

First there would be the train ride back to the port of Yokohama, where he had arrived 26 months earlier, a naive teenager ready for adventure.  Now a seasoned warrior at the ripe old age of 20, he was boarding a ship for the long trip to San Francisco.  The troops were very excited when around 1 a.m. one night they heard they were only about an hour away from setting foot again on soil in the good old USA.  But then the ship stopped.  A movie star was scheduled to meet the ship the next morning, and when it docked she would sing “My Hero.”  So the ship full of impatient troops would have to wait about 7 hours in the middle of the ocean and then sail into port for their official homecoming ceremony.

After a few days at a base in San Francisco, Brad boarded a Greyhound bus for the long trip back to Connersville, Indiana, where he would spend a 30-day furlough.  Although he enjoyed stopping and seeing many interesting cities along the way, the one that he remembers the most was Reno.  Of course he was fascinated; it was the first time he had ever been in a casino.  But he knew that he wanted to be careful with his cash and make it last the whole furlough, so he mainly just looked around, putting only a few dollars in the 10-cent slot machines.  (It would be 32 years later when he next would be in a casino!)

Back home in Connersville, it was time for Brad to decide whether he would re-enlist.  There were pro’s and con’s.  He had loved military life in Japan, but knew that the next posting might not – probably would not – be as exciting.  He was remembering Enid, Oklahoma!   And he knew he could get a job locally right away.  So, after some serious thought during his month at home, he returned to Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, where he was discharged.  

 He came back to Connersville on a Friday, and started his new civilian job on Monday.  The military adventure would now become only a wonderful memory.