War Story: Chapter 1

join me on this blog journey as I share my experiences and provide my perspective on my father, Earl Humphrey. Earl, aged 20, was promoted to Army specialist 4 while serving with the 178th Military Police Detachment near Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He served in the United States Army from September 30, 1966, to September 30, 1969, with most of his time spent in Vietnam. One significant event was when Earl went AWOL but returned to surprise his wife at the hospital on January 29, 1967, the day I was born as Robert Earl Humphrey "ImEarlSun." Although, he faced no penalties for his absence due to the circumstances. After an honorable discharge, Earl struggled to find employment to support his family and resorted to robbery for financial means. His approach involved intimidating people rather than causing physical harm. He would leave home at night, seeking to secure money for food. During his time at Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, an incident occurred where my father called my sister and learned that her boyfriend had tried to harm her. Earl escaped that night and made his way to Los Angeles, where she lived. Confronting her boyfriend, he warned him against ever laying a hand on his daughter, using strong language. Earl vanished into the night but was apprehended in Chicago over a year later. This incident highlighted my father's strong protective instincts towards his family. Unfortunately, my father's life took a dark turn. He faced multiple incarcerations, and eventually, he passed away from cancer while still in prison. It is important to note that during that era, soldiers returning from Vietnam, particularly black men, were often subjected to negative attitudes and derogatory names, unlike the recognition and appreciation they receive today. The different circumstances of that time period contributed to a distressing outcome. Come and explore the deeper layers of my story, gaining insights into the complexities of family, struggle, and the impact of societal attitudes.

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