Today (Jan. 20), President Donald Trump celebrates the completion of his first year in office.

On Jan. 20, 1953, Dwight Eisenhower was sworn into office as the 34th president of our country. I remember it so well because on that day I enlisted in the United States Navy.

As I was about to board a plane at the airport, my dad, with tears in his eyes, wished me well and asked me never to get a tattoo. Being as rebellious as I was, he is the only reason I didn’t get one.

The plane trip to San Diego was my first experience flying and it was a long trip.

For two years I kept saying I just wanted to get away from Reserve and see the world. On that flight, I had second thoughts.

I finally arrived at the U.S. Naval Base and got to bed at 3:30 am. I was accustomed to my mom waking me up quietly and asking if I wanted coffee. At 5 a.m. that first day in the Navy, the lights were turned on and a loud Chief Petty Officer kept repeating, “Hit the deck! Hit the deck!”

It didn’t  take long for me to realize that these four years in the Navy were going to be a lot different than my years in Reserve.

After Boot Camp, I was assigned to a Destroyer, the USS Saufley EDDE (465). I had a chance to travel, and my tour of duty was very exciting. I met a lot of friends with whom I still have contact to this date.

When I completed my service time, I was anxious to get back to the place I so badly wanted to leave. On my return, nothing much had changed, except my father passed away while I was gone.

I thank God for the earthly father I had, which makes it easier for me to appreciate my Heavenly Father.

That chapter in my life is one that I think about as much as any other. When I didn’t know what I wanted, God knew what I needed.

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-542-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.