While skimming some Facebook pages I came across a service that an organization was providing grandfathers to write their life history to be passed onto their grandchildren.
Of course you had to pay $59 for the service, and an additional $20 to $25 for additional books. So, I decided to write my own at a minor cost of $4.95. That’s what I paid the Conshohocken librarian when I ran off some 19 pages of my life history. It included five colored pages of books I self-published, and another six cartoon etches of my life highlights. (It cost 40 cents for colored pages and 15 cents for black and white ones.)
Altar Boy, Going Steady & Singing on TV
I started off by sharing that I served as an altar boy at age 12, followed by my request of a girl to go steady with me at age 14 Next came one my highlight of highlights when the Doo Wop group I sang bass with appeared on television at a Rock & Roll show.
June 3, 1968 was the day I got drafted into the army at age 19. I tell of how my oldest brother, George, suggested that I go to OCS (Officer Candidates School). Six months of rigorous training put me in great shape as well as teaching me survival skills for war. I became the second youngest candidate to graduate on August 22, 1969 as a commissioned Officer and a Gentleman by an Act of Congress.
Vietnam War Discussed but not Analyzed
I did not spend much time on the Vietnam War where I served as a combat infantry platoon leader but I share what had come the worst day of my life when five infantrymen in one of my squads were wounded by “friendly fire” from mortar shell fired by our own side. I got blamed for calling in the wrong coordinates and was relieved of my duty.
I was given other platoons to lead and the last one I was in charge of had given me a 21-gun salute on the last day I was in a combat zone.
Reporter, Union Organizer & Lawyer
Returning home, I became the first one in my family to go to college and then got my first adult job as a newspaper reporter, and then a union organizer. I finally ended up working as a public defender in Philadelphia when I retired after PTSD blowups began to occur.
The final chapter included me starting a Blog post and then writing five books, dedicating two of them to my grandkids. (They loved seeing their names in the books!)
I recommend all grandparents write their life histories like I did. The writing service known as “Memo Write,” shared a story of a Harvard study which said that people for more than 80 years found one thing predicted a happy life above everything else was not money, nor success, but by being truly known by people you love.
Contoveros 
Micheal, it sounds like you have had lots of interesting experiences, and I am glad you have put them into writing. I love that you have written books which include your grandchildren.
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The kids loved seeing their names in the two books. I advised them not to begin reading them until they get older because they probably would not be able to relate to any war stories, PTSD episodes or courtroom dramas.
The books are actually a combination of various Blog posts I wrote here on WordPress. I even slipped in a few comments from readers to show how one of my recollections affected them.
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These sound informative and helpful, Micheal.
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The following comments were exchanged on Facebook:
Kathleen McPeake Gilliano
Awesome!
Michael J Contos
Thank you my dear. I hope you can share some of your adventures with your grandchildren as well as any great ones too.
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The following comments were shared on Next Door:
Anthony Daly-Leonard – NewtownSquare GoshenEast
Excellent idea, otherwise it is lost forever!
Michael J Contos -· Conshohocken
Anthony
You know Anthony, m aybe we should request everyone about to sign up for Social Security benefits to create their own history for their families.
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Cynthia N. Merry Place
I wish I had done that before my parents passed.
Michael J Contos Conshohocken
Cynthia
It’s not too late to help others and yourself to write a journal for loved ones to read and to cherish.
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See? Your stories are so compelling. I never would have expected the military to take such an approach. I hope that NCO thanked you for taking the blame.
And a 21 gun salute at the end? Chef’s kiss.
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Man. That friendly fire incident probably deserves its own chapter at least. You say you were blamed for giving the wrong coordinates but that tells me there’s a whole lot more to the story than just finger pointing.
On another topic: money really does make the world go ‘round doesn’t it? They want to charge you for a vanity book, and they have a sliding scale in case you need to make more copies. I’m with you – just grab some raw materials and make your own.
Of all the people I know, you are definitely one of the ones who, if you created an autobiography I’d be first in line to buy it. Your stories are amazing.
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A friendly major counseled me after I was relieved of my duties in Vietnam. He told me that a committee that investigated the mortar bombing considered me, a young lieutenant who was expected to leave the army after his two-year-hitch, with the sergeant who w
as in charge of firing the mortar rounds.
The non-commissioned officer had 18 years of service and would be more harmed in his path toward a 20-year retirement than me at the age of 21.
I got appointed as leader to two other platoons. One of them staged a mutiny when they learned I was to be relieved for injury caused to squad members being led by a “new in-country” sergeant who was not used to combat, and was attacked by the Viet Cong after being replenished with food and drink. I lied to the troops to get them on helicopters and avoid punishment.
The last platoon I led gave me a 21-gun salute on my last day in the combat zone. It made up for all the actions I faced in war.
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Michael, Nice to see the short form of your life story here. What a unique set of experiences you have had! How does one get to read the full version of your story?
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Thanks. I have the 19-page document on a flash drive which I used to print it at the library. I may want to present it on WordPress but some day but I’m not sure if it will allow so many words.
Perhaps I could break it down by 19 or more chapters.
Stay Tuned!
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I love this! I had no idea you wrote 5 books! But can I say this line, “…got my first adult job as a newspaper reporter…” – uhem, do you mean after the adult job in the Army? Wow. What an incredible life you keep living! Thank you for sharing this. And yes, to be so loved… that is the true meaning of a wonderful life! 🤗❤️
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I worked as a printer and a laborer directly after high school and before being drafted at age 19. I figured I could say my adult civilian job started when I got out of both the Vietnam War and my four years of college busting my butt with the GI Bill and finally writing for a living as a reporter at a newwpaper.
It’s been fun and pretty cool to recall the highlights as a young grandop – okay, maybe not that young at age 77!
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