I worked at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., for three and a half years. We had missile silos, B-52s, a fighter jet squadron and strike force helicopters to defend the missile silos. Instead of going to Vietnam, I stayed in Minot where I worked in personnel. One job was in-and-out processing, where we would take records in and help airmen and officers get situated and into their proper work area. Working with SAC was different from other commands. SAC seems to always get their personnel back after a tour to Vietnam. So we would say good luck to an airman going to Vietnam, and when the tour was over, check him right back to Minot AFB. These guys would volunteer for Vietnam just to get out of Minot. To them, it was a boring place with a lot of stiff military requirements and inspections. But to me, I came to appreciate the subtle lay of the land there, especially fishing for great northern pike or just taking a drive in the country to watch the geese fly by the hundreds over the wetlands. I got to know some of the farmers there, and had some adventurous times, one of which was helping Elmer look for his pet cow that broke out. Elmer had a number of oil wells that paid well, so he put farming on hold and kept a few pet cows. There we went in his old Army jeep across the fields looking for his cow. It was not all bad at Minot. Some times we just have to stop and look, appreciate what is there, and join in the lay of the land.