When he was growing up, Charles Lewis never imagined he would eventually work with rockets and nuclear weapons. But after being drafted as a 22-year-old husband and father, he wound up doing exactly that during the war in Vietnam.

The Stockbridge resident never actually went to southeast Asia. “I guess it was some good luck and a mother’s prayers, but I spent my entire tour in Fort Hood, Tex.,” he said.

His assignment was with a rocket battalion, which was different from working with missiles. “A missile can be guided, but not a rocket,” he said, “although you at least need to know enough to point it in the right direction.”

Fort Hood was where the Army’s only nuclear weapons were at the time, although they were not used in Vietnam. Lewis developed cancer that he is certain was a result of Agent Orange exposure on the Texas base, although no one every said so officially.

But that probably was the clincher that kept him out of Vietnam. “By the time they healed me up after the surgery, I didn’t have enough time left to serve,” he said.

It was a difficult time for soldiers returning from the war, and he was no exception. But he transitioned back into civilian life. After living in southeast Atlanta for many years, Lewis moved in 1990 to Henry County where some of his ancestors were among the first settlers generations ago. Like many others during that time, he moved in search of more rural surroundings. His home three decades ago certainly qualified.

Now having been retired around 15 years, he stays busy with activities such as those offered at Hidden Valley Senior Center. His children and grandchildren live on the north side of Atlanta and he keeps up with them as well.

“They do something special every year for the veterans,” he said of the senior center’s staff. “They have been mighty nice to us ever since I’ve been there. It does us good to get together and talk about old times.”

Lewis looks back fondly on his time in service to his country, especially the life lessons he picked up there.

“I made a giant leap forward in my capabilities during my time in the military. I was a very shy person, not outgoing. They made a leader out of me. And I made so many friends, met some outstanding people. The draft taught me to get along with anyone, regardless of color or background.”

And he is convinced that he could still fire that rocket after all these years if he had to. “If I got close to one now, I could make it go up in the air,” he said. “All it takes in a ten-pound can of black powder.”