FIRED UP!

It's been thirty years since we last saw each other. I was just 10, and the M 16 was 18 years old. The world was new to me, but the M 16 had already seen the dark side during a tour in Vietnam. In 1963, this intimate weapon of destruction entered the US Army and by 1969 it was the go to rifle of the Vietnam War. But to me, it was a physical token of my childhood memories of being with my dad and my brother. So, we took it for a spin at the range. As soon as the first shot was fired, the distinctive smell of its gun smoke hit my nostrils, and it was 1981 all over again. It's very light, but still loud, at least compared to a handgun. Kickback? It doesn't exist, and the aim is totally on target. When we were finished with the M 16 we had a special treat, the P38. This German designed semi-automatic pistol was developed at the beginning of World War II and used by the Nazis. It was on target too, but had a real kick for a pistol. But this day was really about the M 16. The reunion was short and sweet, just as they all should be. But there will definitely be another one. And we won't wait 30 years.