After retirement from the Navy, I worked for a year at a large hospital in Memphis, Tn. I then embarked on a 21 year career as a professional firefighter. 1981- Honor graduate U.S. Navy Crash, Rescue and Salvage School NAS Memphis, TN. I retired from the Federal Fire Service in 2001. Using the medical skills learned as a firefighter, I then began a third career as a licenced Laboratory technician.
In 2007, I decided to once again retire, so until something better comes along, I be just working on the ranch, whittling down that "honeydo list".
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We, who entered the Navy as boys, full of bright promise and fervent patriotism, those of us who survive, still carry that love of country and deep patriotism that we learned together in our formative years and never forgot, even though we were greeted when we returned , by the vilification of an ungrateful nation. I cherish the memories of my brothers, forged in the blood and shock of war and the recollections of experiences, both good and bad, that service to my beloved country afforded me. And if I could do all over again, I would not change one solitary thing, save the ability to restore the lives of all my friends and comrades who left their youth and innocence on the fields, jungles and seas of Southeast Asia. May Almighty God grant their souls eternal rest and may perpetual Light shine upon them.
We are all old men now, and before long we will just be footnotes in a forgotten war, but when my grandchildren ask me, "were you a hero in that war, Grandpa? I will say, "No Iwas not a hero, but I served with heroes."
