RETIRED FROM USCBP on 29 April, 2017, after 20 Years and 2 Days with US CUSTOMS/ USCBP. I DONT MISS IT! With my time at the VA, and the ative Navy years I bought back I retired with 36 years of credited Civil service.
I am now now a certified Baseball and Softball Umpire, graduating on 4-18-2017. I'm a Member of the Western New York Umpires Association.Â
Still married since 1976 to wife number one, and we're living in the Buffalo suburb of Kenmore, New York. We have three grown children, and three grandkids.
I worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Buffalo from 93-97. I was hired by the US Customs Service, at the Port of Buffalo-Niagara Falls, New York as an Inspector in 1997. The agency merged into the new Department Of Homeland Security, as the Bureau of Customs & Border Protection (C&BP) in 2004. My last assignment was at our Buffalo International Airport office, located at the Prior Aviation Services (FBO) facility. In September of 2011 I completed a two week course at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for "Honor Guard" Training. I was proud to  be part of the local CBP Honor Guard Team, available for funerals, parades and Color Guard presentaions. I always looked forward to those proud assignments.
I'm the former President of the Buffalo Postcard Club. My collection of US Navy ship,military aircraft and baseball park postcards is huge. Im also an avid baseball fan, following the Cleveland Indians and my hometown Buffalo Bisons.
I am a longtime Outdoor Sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. I am an active member of the 3F Club ( Fin, Feather, Fur Conservastion Society) in Lewiston, New York. The group is dedicated to all phases of outdoor preservation, conservation and safe & ethical hunting and fishing activity.Â
I've been an avid Photographer since I was a kid, with a special interest in taking photos of historic sights and natural scenic beauty, airshows, baseball games and wildlife. Rarely do my photos include people, unless they are part of the "action" in a particular event or scene.
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Other Comments:
I was an ice hockey official for the local USA Hockey chapter from 1984 to 1998. I really enjoyed reffing, and it helped me stay in great shape for many years. The socializing with fellow officials after games, Refs Softball team, and group events were also fun. The new job with US Customs, and some long term nagging injuries finally forced me to give up reffing. Sometimes I really miss it.
And in October of 2007 I finally followed up on  my one of my lifelong ambitions by earning my NAUI certification as a SCUBA diver. It's something I've always wanted to do, and should have done many years ago. Now I'm trying to make up for lost time with as many dives as I can get in.   Hoping to add another "skydive" or two to my list of accomplisments as well. Don't ever give up on your dreams, and dont stop having fun!
I lost a pal in my Dad on 4-27-2012 at 0800. Cpl Frank Mottern USAAF (1943-1946) peacefully feathered his engines and "went west' He is loved and missed. He was given an nice sendoff with the Honor Guard from Niagara Falls Air Force Base, rendering "Military Honors'.Â
I have built an AF-TWS profile for him and became a "Family Member" at that side as well. Please look in on my Dads profile, if you are able as a "guest". its a work in progress as I try to dig up long buried info on Dads USAAF service.
I have recently assumed the "Administrator" role for the USS COD Unit Page here at NTWS. I have a long associoation history of visiting this decorated sub at Cleveland, Ohio. I hope to be able to update an decorate the page with photos. Please visit the CODS page as well as the other profiles Ive built for some special buddies and some Major League Baseball players.
I have enjoyed building 13 NTWS Profiles for WW2 era Major League Baseball Players.
Best Friends Tom Hayes, Chuck Pierce, Jerry Bourque, Fred Currcione, Bob Troemel, John Schiave, and Ron Pisechko
Best Moment Trip to Panama, saw old pal Ernie Fred and his family.
A very nice retirement ceremony in January of 96, presided over by CDR G Don Steele my old TACCO from VP-93. My sideboys were AW1 Tom Hayes, AW2 Chuck Pierce, AW1 Bob Church. AW1 Dave Gottschalk, AT1 Steve Murdock, and AW2 Karl Buchholz, all pals from my VP-93 days.
Worst Moment Being threatend with a Court Marshall by an over zealous CDR who was a Jax DET OINC. On an August of 95 trip from Roosey Roads to Jax, my crew of five stayed one night in the Orange Park Days Inn, as directed by the Jax BEQ Office. The total for two double occupancys, plus a single room was $158.00, When we were not placed in the Jax BEQ, the Det OINC took exception. He wanted to pursue "fraud, waste and abuse" charges towards all five of us. Because the bill total for the five of us was over $100, the case would automatically become a Court Marshall for all of us involved. I told him, "Do as you please, because you have just provided the straw that broke the camels back. I'm retiring". The MCPOC Al Bunting saw us arguing and asked what was wrong? I explaind the situation as I recalled it. The Master Chief calmly asked me to provide him a statement of events. After all statements from all five of us were taken, this idiocy was resolved. Master Chief Bunting explained to me that, "If that officer wished to take five of the best sailors in the squadron to a Court Marshall over a $158 dollar hotel bill, then to be his guest". The CDR who was the Jax Det OINC was passed over for command. At about that same time I found out I did not make Chief again. I had had enough, and officially decided to retire. My CO, Cdr Steele tried to persuade me to stay, but I realized with no guarentee of finally making AWC, that the time was right to go. I retired six months later, effective Feb 1st of 1996
Chain of Command My VP-93 XO CDR G."Don" Steele was the CO of VP-64 for most of my tour. I asked him to preside as I was piped over the side. He was one of the best! He had been one of my TACCOs in VP-93.
My Crew 10 pilot from VP-93, CDR Roger Bentlage became XO of 64 the day before I retired. I felt bad that neither he nor CDR Steele were able to be CO of VP-93, as we had all drilled in that unit for so long prior to its decomm.
Other Memories Getting to enjoy Phillies baseball and Flyers hockey games on drill weekends.
The 106 degree heat wave in June 94. The record snow in the blizzard of Feb 95. Such contrasts.
I did not like the transition to the P-3C from the older P-3B. I guess I was an old dog trying to learn new tricks. The increased commuter time from Buffalo to Willow Grove, was much longer than my previous commute to VP-93 at NAF Detroit. After I got the last CPO Board results and a bad trip experience, I'd had ENOUGH! The fun just plain, ran out!
