I served in the United States Air Force as an Electronic Counter Measures Technician for four years from 1966 to 1970. I spent a year stationed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand working on EB-66s. During my last year, I was assigned to work on and fly on B-52s in continued support of the Vietnam effort, training at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD, and then I was deployed on temporary duty for six months at Anderson AFB on Guam.

My initial inspiration to serve was created by the Draft, but that inspired discussions with my father, who had been in the Army Air Corps working on the radar on B-25s during World War II. So I talked with a USAF recruiter, and after testing, the results showed that my aptitude was in the direction of electronics and that I would be assigned to that duty as long as I was not color blind. I knew that I was not, so I enlisted for four years..

I felt honored to serve my country, and through training, I learned that trusting your team is imperative for a successful mission. That proved to be the case on multiple occasions.

I graduated from High School at the age of 17. I knew that all kids my age were expected to register for the draft when they turned 18. I did not have the money to pay for any further education. My parents grew up during the depression. They actually met at the Oesterlen Children’s Home in Springfield, Ohio. My grandfather on my father's side ran away from home in 1928, leaving my grandmother Reynard with 5 children to support. My mother's father had her mother sent to the Dayton, Ohio state mental hospital for trying to kill him. She had 4 kids to take care of. I decided to join the Navy in 1959 after graduating from high school because I knew I could learn a trade as well as serve my country. 

I joined the US Navy as a High School Seaman Recruit in 1959 because I had a high school diploma from Springfield High School.

I served aboard the USS Northampton CLC1 and later converted to CC1. It became known as the National Emergency Command Post Afloat. We became known as the Floating White House. Attached is a photo of President Kennedy coming aboard my ship to review the Fleet off Hampton Roads around Norfolk, VA. As you can see, we are all manning the rail, which is only done for Heads of State. 

I enlisted at the age of 17 in the United States Marine Corps. I served from 1999 to 2005 with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Quantico, VA. We trained all over the world until our deployment to Iraq in 2003 as part of the Global War on Terror. 

Growing up in the suburbs of Northern Virginia, there were quite a few bases in the area, so there was a lot of positive influence. I always felt like I owed a debt to our country, even if it sounds cliché. I was always a big military history buff as a kid, reading books from World War 1 to Desert Storm. 

One thing that has stayed with me to this day and left a huge impression was my time with my Marine brothers in Iraq. As awful as war is, we grew tighter as a unit. We were near Baghdad on an old airbase around the 4th of July. We didn't have fireworks,  so the EOD unit blew off Iraqi 2000lbs bombs and munitions instead, and we were authorized 2 beers each. Probably one of our best days there (other than going home), and it was hilarious! 

From 1962 to 1978, I served in the US Navy, the Naval Reserves, and the Air Force National Guard. I was inspired by a deep sense of patriotism, a desire to serve, and the educational opportunities the military offered. I still remember the great times I had sailing the seas and visiting ports around the world. I built strong friendships and learned the true value of teamwork, lessons that have stayed with me. Today, I continue to serve veterans through my work with the nonprofit Veterans of South Pinellas County Inc.