Memorial Day 2009

A Long time friend of mine suggested I start a Blog and tell about the things I do, or what I am doing. I will try it and see how it goes. I'm not really one to blow my own horn, and never have been one to make big of the things I do. First off I would like everyone to know, I am a Recovering Alcoholic, I have been sober - without the use of AA now for 15 years. I have also been smoke free for that length of time too. I somehow was able to make 20 years in the Air Force, retiring from active duty in Oct. of 1992 (Viet Nam era and Gulf War I vet.). I worked as a sub-contractor to the US State Dept. for 6 months starting in Mar. of 93. Loved the job, and the travel, but left it so I could see my Children more. I am a very proud parent of a wonderful daughter, who lives in Upstate NY with her own daughter of 2 1/2 years and her BF. My little boy, I joke with him on that, will be 20 in Oct. He is 6'7" tall, weighing in at probably 270 and wears a size 17 men's shoe, that's why i call him my little boy. I too am very proud of him and his accomplishments, he is an Art Major in college, wanting to design miniatures for movie sets and things like that.

I live one town up from where I grew up in Connecticut. Having seen my dad being involved in the Volunteer FD in town, I got into it in HS, but had to leave when i joined the Air Force. Got back into it when I moved into town and began listening to the scanner and hearing the local FD/EMS try to fill crews for the ambulance. I went up and joined - much to the displeasure of my wife. I took my MRT (Medical Response Technician) course first and started driving ambulance and then at age 50 started taking Firefighter 1, competing against a lot of much younger men and women in the class. To my surprise - came out top of the class. Five years latter I still love it, though I must say - I think I am getting to old to go running into a burning building with a Scott pack on -- training now to drive and operate the engines - much safer for these old bones of mine.....will miss it but much safer.

Today though is Memorial Day, at day and time to reflect and remember those who dedicated their lives to make this Wonderful Country what it is---Free. I think of my Dad (who passed in 1997 from Brain Cancer), who served 4 years in the Army, and then 4 years in the Air Force, spent 17 years out, and a year after I enlisted - he Re-enlisted in the Ct-Air National Guard. Retiring with over 26 years of service to his country as a MSgt. Miss you Dad. I think alot of the people I had the pleasure of serving with--Miss a lot of them -- others NOT!!! One special individual, who after loosing track of her I was recently re-united with via the Internet. Sara - daughter of two WWII veterans (Mother and Father were WWII vets) and a 20 year Air Force vet (Viet Nam Era and Gulf War I) retiring as a SMSgt. Awesome Job Sara--very very proud of you. Along with that - Sara---a very proud mother of 2 - one of which is Serving today in Iraq. God Speed and be safe---thoughts and prayers for his safe return. It makes me so very proud to know these very special people - my heart is pounding and I'm fighting back tears as I write this. You Know how I feel Sara---:-)

Well I think I have rambled on way to much for my first entry---I will try to keep this up--but can't guarantee much of anything. Till the next time -- Proud To Be AMERICAN