Retiring from the Navy

Retiring from the Navy

June 27th, 2006

On February 14, 1980 I made the choice to join the U.S. Navy at the then AFEES in Jacksonville, Florida. I remember it being one of the longest days of my life. The night before I stayed in a hotel by myself for the first time in the “big city” - stayed up the whole night just knowing someone was going to break into the room and rob me (didn’t happen). About 0430 the phone rang and told me to get up and get out front so the van could take me to start my physical. By the time the night hit I was back at my home in Crystal River signed up for what would be a 26-year adventure. My date to leave for boot camp was on November 3, 1980.During my first 2 years I attended schools eventually graduating to become an Electronics Technician qualified to work on Link systems. My first command was the USS Forrestal CV-59 based in Jacksonville. I reported onboard and 8 days later we deployed to the Mediterranean Sea where I was able to spend time in Benidorm, Spain. There I saw my first bull fight, eat paella and bask in the sun on Spanish shore. We then pulled into Naples, Italy and I got to visit Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento and a number of other small towns. Went to Alexandria, Egypt - took a tour of Cairo, climbed the great pyramids and rode a camel. Transited the Suez Canal and saw the remains of what was the 6 day war - burned out tanks and trucks. After 6 months the deployment was over and we returned to Jacksonville.

As luck would have it the USS Forrestal was scheduled for a 2.5-year yard period in the Philadelphia Shipyard. It was lucky for me because it is there I met my wife. I was so in love I proposed after knowing her 1-week. Four weeks later we were married, took that long to find a church that would marry two 20 year olds who just met, and yes we are still married and just as much in love 23 years later. We have 3 sons, two of whom are serving in the Navy and the youngest is attending Junior College in Memphis where we live.

After we departed Philadelphia we transferred to Keflavik, Iceland, what a great place to live, NO KIDDING! No crime, it is against the law there NOT to pick up a hitchhiker 88|

So, many transfers and adventures later we have determined it is time. Time to set some deep roots and stay put. November 3, 2006 will be my last day of wearing the uniform I donned 26 years to the day I shipped off to boot camp.

Instead of filling out resumes and hoping someone hires me my wife and I have decided to open an ice cream and coffee shop, we should be opening August 11th if the build out goes well, so far it is. We are very excited to start the next chapter of our lives but we will always miss the adventure of the Navy and most of all the Shipmates we had the honor to serve with.