23 Life History --- 1968 Joining the Army - 1st assignment Fort Belvoir, Virginia; 2nd Fort Benning, Georgia

2nd Lieutenant Garrett Merrick 

 I graduated from SMS in January 1968, with a degree in chemistry and secondary education, and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. On my way to Fort Belvoir Virginia for my engineer officer basic training, I visited the folks in Akron. While there I bought a 1964(?) Corvair and got a bumper rack to carry my motorcycle.