VIETNAM 67'-SGT. FIGUEROA

Our affable sergeant in charge was tall and angular. His hair was jet black, and his upper lip carried a pencil-line mustache. He offered a wide charming smile and intense dark eyes holding our attention. When speaking, he frequently grinned and nodded in the affirmative. I always agreed with him, whether I did so or not. Disliking the man was impossible.

In all the time I served in the Army, I never met individuals who found more ways to skirt regulations. Sgt. Figueroa became adept at establishing routines to make life easier for his sphere of influence than strands composing a spider’s web.

We liked to refer to our sergeant’s methods as the Bible According to Sgt. Figueroa. There seemed to be a code, rule, regulation, or slogan for everything that needed to accomplish. But, on the combat field, the man was a military genius without stretching the truth.

Sgt. Figueroa often spoke of his plans following his retirement. He devised proposals to secure a group of investors to open a mega discount chain requiring a membership fee.

The year was 1967, before Cosco, Sam’s Club, and Amazon. We laughed at the idea of paying a fee to shop. But, regardless of our doubts, anyone who listened nodded their approval. Walmart, Target, and K-Mart just began to open. It would be many years before the concept of paying to enjoy huge…