The Best Is Yet To Come

In 1960, I joined the Navy. I was 19 years old, fresh out of high school and for the first time in my life, living without parental supervision. Without restrictions or boundaries, I started drinking heavily. I never went out just for a beer. I went on liberty to get drunk. My drinking never interfered with my responsibilities as a sailor, so I served my two years without incident. But the foundation of alcoholism was in place.