My career, my life.

I started out writing this blog a few years ago with the desire to write about my life, my Navy career, and the things that are important to me.  It was meant primarily to be a record of my life for my family and those who survive me.  In the years that followed, I have written about issues that effect the Navy and our country.  This blog has also given growth to two other blogs I write.  That being said, I have been spending more and more time reminiscing about the past.  That is the nature of my disease, so don't be surprised.  I have said before on this site that the things that give me pleasure today are serving GOD as a Pastor, talking with old shipmates, and thinking about my past Navy career, all 40 years.

So, I have been thinking a lot, about the things I have done.  If you go back to my first posts, you will learn I had a rough beginning.  I dropped out of High School in my senior year.  Not smart, I know.  I joined the Navy and found a home.  I was a 14 year Master Chief.  A command Master Chief of a Spruance Class Destroyer and an A-6 attack Air Squadron.  I was Force Master Chief, Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet with 17 years of service.  Retired with 20 years after being a semi-finalist for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.  I went to work for the government as a civil servant with Naval Sea Support Center, Atlantic.  I was a tech rep, a program manager, and a Branch Head.  I earned a Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Administration, graduating Cum Laude.  I have been the Commander of two AWANA programs, one with a sustained membership of 400 children under the age of 13.  I have been an Elder in two Churches, a Deacon, in one, and have just been Ordained as an Associate Pastor.  I have been married to the same, beautiful, educated, terrible patient wife for over 38 years.  She earned her Master's Degree in Library Science and was a professional Librarian for over 25 years.   I have an adult son and three grandsons.  And now, I have a new challenge.

I often tell people that fighting this disease is like being in a heavy weight boxing match with an opponent that is 6 inches taller that you, 50 pounds heavier, and has a 12 inch reach advantage.  I am going to loose.  But I keep trying to get inside and punch for all I am worth, thinking I may slow him down and delay the inevitable.  Maybe I will even go the distance and get a decision!  Maybe not.

I write all of this because I don't want who I am to get lost in my memory or in yours.  That is something that frightens me like never before.  I have great difficulties remembering the names of friends, relatives, and old shipmates.  So, I guess they have the same problems as me.