Probably heading over to Central Park for one of them early spring training races.

My dad signed up voluntarily in 53 with a deal that let you move up your number and get a 2 year stint. He just missed Korea and went to a field hospital unit that spent his whole stint in Honolulu. Some life, huh? Finished his high school diploma, stole pineapples, got written up for passing out drunk on the beach and getting a bad sunburn. I wish we had photos of him like this. His big brother was on an aircraft carrier in no worse danger, watching the propeller planes get replaced with jets.

I wonder if my dad volunteered like that? I've never heard. Knowing the history of the Marines at "Frozen Chosin", I'm certain that Germany or Honolulu or even a carrier would have been preferable to being in the infantry in the Korean conflict.

My own time in the Marines was during the peaceful time after SE Asia (i.e. Vietnam), so I'm grateful for the lack of trauma, injuries, or PTSD. I did ride my Raleigh Gran Sport from the barracks to the hangar (which was about a half mile), so I guess it counts as vintage commuting??

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Steve in Peoria

Nice pic, he's got the calm demeanour. He's in the right spot anticipating the light, he'll get the jump and be steady at pace by the time, or if they catch him.
Also love the C&V film quality.

Now I'm thinking of Ed Harris in Kodachrome.

where were you stationed?

Mostly at MCAS Yuma, in Yuma, Arizona.
This is at the southwest corner of Arizona, close to the borders of Mexico and California, and sitting on the Colorado river. Lots of sun and sand, which means good weather for flying and lots of space that isn't suitable for anything other than flying aircraft over it or dropping bombs on it (not entirely true, but...). Yuma Proving Grounds was nearby, where the Army did a lot of weapons development and testing.

There was some irrigation from the Colorado river, so there was a lot of citrus grown locally too, which was nice.

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It did make me appreciate the pleasure of riding at night, when it wasn't 120 degrees F.

Steve in Peoria (where the day's high temp is only 77F)

I was stationed at Camp Pendleton for a few months of training, lots of sun and sand there as well

As a "Hollywood" Marine, I spent a few weeks at Pendleton during boot camp. Neat place, and having traveled on I-5 from San Diego to L.A. in the years afterwards, it's a welcome break from the cities. I can't imagine what that land would be worth if the real estate developers ever got their hands on it!

Steve in Peoria (not exactly sunny southern California, but at least we have water)

Clearly, he is en route to work at the haberdasher.

I wanna know how he keeps that hat from flying off.....

I wear a trilby and if it fits well flying off is no issue.