Purple Haze

[Stephen Torelli]

A tribe of old fellows gathered around a simple framed, yet hazed and time-worn photo at the Eagles Roost Community Center in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They had a ceremony of sorts, yet secretive… whispers, small talk, handshakes, and then, goodbyes.

Observing the ritual, the new commanding officer shuffled toward the photo as the old fellows dispersed. Taking a look, he attempted to read the engraving below a young purple hazed soldier, although the inscription was also clouded.

So he moved a bit closer. And as he decoded, he imagined those old fellows in their day, tripping from C-141 jets with Jimi Hendrix, Paratrooper, 101st Airborne Division.  

 

[Mike Handley]

Cool. Thanks.

[Jeanette Cheezum]

That last line an eye opener.

[Irma Bozardt]

Stephen that is awesome to know.  He was and is one of my son's favorites.  My son plays bass guitar, and since he is an Air Force "brat" that would make Jimmy more endearing to him.  Thanks!

[Michael Brown]

A blown-up secret from the life of the man who loved to make noise. This feels akin to irony. Thanks for the update.

[Jamie Hogan]

A bit of history I never knew...thanks for the learning, Stephen!

[Stephen Torelli]

Gita, Jimi Hendrix was a paratrooper assigned to the 101st Airborne Division headquartered at Fort Campbell. He didn't go to Vietnam. The 101st deployed many of their soldiers to Southeast Asia; however, like Jimi, many stayed at home station. The Eagle's Roost Center is a soldier's community center: billiards, music, and sports where Jimi socialized in the early 60s. And on occasion, old timers pay homage in honor of Jimi at the Eagle's Roost. I was stationed at Fort Campbell after Jimi's time and also socialized at the Eagle's Roost. Paratroopers and former paratroopers are a loyal and wild bunch.  

[Robert Crisman]

They'd have remembered a guy who didn't want to be there at all. He got discharged after a year or so and took off for Memphis. He never went to Vietnam.

[Gita]

Seriously? Jimi was in Nam???