What I'd like to eventually take up is woodworking and crafting projects. I've always been facinated with making things. I also like cooking. I am trying to teach my 16 year old daughter how to cook with a chef's enthusiasm, using things other than water and boxed meals. She is struggling to grasp the concept, but I will overcome her stubborn side and get her to surrender to the cause!

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Well, there is either much to tell or nothing to tell about myself, depending on what someone might be interested in hearing about a perfect stranger. I grew up in a small farming community in Iowa (Afton, Iowa). I was somewhat athletic, being a 9 year wrestler and a year of football. I also did 1 year of golf. I graduated in May of 1978 and 3 days after being handed my diploma, I met the men that would forever change me, my Drill Instructors. I won't detail all of my jobs and duties, other than say that my MOS was A^/EA6B jet mechanic. I also was a crewchief for the T-39 Sabreliner for 3 years, and 1 year as aircrew for the Marine Corps only DC-9 squadron. I did 3 Med Cruises, 2 on the USS John F. Kennedy, and I did the last cruise of the USS America. If I were to rate the best experiences of my 20 years on active duty, it would hands down be my 3 years at Parris Island. As time goes on, I'll share some stories with anyone on this website some of the stories I carry with me in my memories of those days. Ok, so that's the short breakdown of my military days.

I retired from the Corps in 1998, and lived in Franklin PA for 8 months, and then moved to Southern Illinois to a town called Murphysboro. I was hired by the state of Illinois to work at the only juvenile correctional boot camp in the state. It was easy for me to fall into this job since there was a military tone to our duties. But it definately isn't the same as training those young hard chargin' Marine recruits. I've got another 7 years to go with this job and I'll call it quits and pick up a second retirement income, and from there, I tell everyone I'm going to become a Wal-Mart greetr part time.

Life for me has had it's ups and downs, as most people can also say about themselves. Life is good though, and I'm glad for my lifes experiences. So with that said, I'll save the small details for a later time, and back on outa here. I'd like to leave saying that I look forward to the new friendships and sharing memories with everyone.