Who enjoyed playing in the sand or dirt when you were young? Do you still like to play in the sand?

2015-09-28T13:16:36-04:00

When I was young growing up around Philadelphia there was a lot of asphalt; but, there were patches of dirt and a few sandboxes. I have memories of playing in the dirt and playing in a few sandboxes. It was a special treat to be able to go to a beach either by a lake or at the seashore.
How many of you liked to play in the sand or dirt? Do you think it influenced your decision to to join the military?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 28 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-09-28T13:19:45-04:00

I loved to play in the dirt with Tonka trucks, matchbox cars and little Army men or cowboys and Indian figures. Sometimes we went to a state park called French Creek and played in the sand there and sometimes we swum under the watchful eyes of the lifeguards. Every now and then we went to the beach in New Jersey and a couple times we went to the beaches of South England.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 28 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-09-28T13:43:49-04:00

I'm ready for a beach trip now

Response by SN Alex Tufail made Sep 28 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-09-28T13:46:01-04:00

I still do

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-09-28T13:46:22-04:00

HELL YEA I PLAYED IN THE DIRT AS A KID!!! I also played in the dirt when I was a Combat Engineer. There was just something therapeutic about blowing something up and seeing a dirt cloud.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-09-28T13:49:40-04:00

I take the opportunity to play in the sand or dirt with nieces and nephews, and had a nice dirt hill behind my house as a kid. My dad mentioned a few weeks ago that he found a bunch of GI Joe body parts in there when he was getting a load of dirt for the garden. Oops!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 28 at 2015 2:25 PM

2015-09-28T14:25:28-04:00

I spent countless hours in Sandboxes playing. Back then, when you found cat shit, you pitched it out of the way (or used your Tonka trucks to haul it) and continued the mission. I don't think it had any impact on my military decisions.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 28 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-09-28T15:09:38-04:00

Lots of dirt to play in when I was growing up in Arizona.

Response by 1stSgt Jeff Blovat made Sep 28 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-09-28T15:21:15-04:00

I loved playing in the sandbox as a kid. I wasn't allowed in the deep end though.

Response by SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr made Sep 28 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-09-28T15:50:18-04:00

Yep did it all; I had the Big Tonka Trucks. I played War with army men, cowboys and indians, and knight and castle siege. Oh, you can't forget sandcastles on the beach. Now grandkids give me an excuse to do it again

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 28 at 2015 7:55 PM

2015-09-28T19:55:12-04:00

I absolutely hated sand and dirt.lol

You would think the Marines would have caused me not to be bothered by it,but i still can hardly stand a grain of sand.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Sep 28 at 2015 10:43 PM

2015-09-28T22:43:37-04:00

Built roads in the dirt and played with cars and trucks - for hours.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 29 at 2015 4:44 AM

2015-09-29T04:44:05-04:00

AFter deployment...I can't stand sand anymore.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 1 at 2015 2:45 AM

2015-10-01T02:45:05-04:00

Growing up in Michigan, I had access to sand dunes. Some of my more memorable family vacations were at Silver Lake Sand Dunes:
http://www.michigan.org/hot-spots/silver-lake-sand-dunes/

Silver Lake Sand Dunes of Michigan Vacations and Hotels | Pure Michigan

Silver Lake Sand Dunes are Pure Michigan. Learn about this beach paradise near Hart, Mears and Pentwater, plan the perfect family vacation and more at michigan.org.