After boot camp, my first tour of duty was with M-4-12 in Okinawa, where I met many life-long friends, including, but not limited to, Schuette, Rodriguez, Shavor, Fabrizio, Birch and too many others to recount. I recall so many great stories and great times at Camp Sukeran.......lasting, cherished memories.

I returned to Camp Pendleton after the Okinawa tour; however, I was off to "The Rock" for a second tour by early 1965. My second tour was memorable for two reasons: more lasting friendships and memories, plus a quick tour in Vietnam. I was "in country" for 3-4 months, until my 4 year enlistment expired. My experience in the early stages of the war left me with the indelible impression that this was a conflict that could get really nasty, as it subsequently did. I was there for such a short period of time, I hardly consider myself a "Vietnam vet", unlike others I know who spent one, two or even three full tours there. When my time was up, I decided to "move on" with my life, and I exercised my discharge option and became a civilian once again.

Most of my career has been spent in and out of trucking - mostly "in". At various times, I've worked at a chemical plant, courier services, gas stations, and as a truck stop manager; mostly, though, I've spent my time truckin' around the country.

As I near retirement, I can focus more and more on the two best results of having been fortunate enough to have married Lorie: our daughters, Amy and Sarah. Amy is a successful architect in Seattle, Washington. Sarah, a successful wife and mother, still lives close by in KC, which means we get to see plenty of our grandkids, Molly and Nick, and watch them grow up.