“Champ sloshed out of a bayou”, my comment in our yearbook says. It was the talk of the small Raceland, Louisiana town when I was admitted to West Point. I grew up as an Air Force brat living in Texas and Alaska. I watched the West Point series on TV, but never envisioned attending. My goal was always to attend the Air Force Academy (how wrong was I). Senior year in high school I failed the physical because of my eyes. I got a post card from West Point and found out my eyes were within limits. That postcard started my journey to the most hallowed place in the world.
I was a freshman in college at the time and when a professor found out I was going to West Point, no more tests were required. I would never trade the experience and friendships gained at West Point. The most important thing in my life was meeting my wife at West Point and we married there the year after graduation. I followed a somewhat different path than most of my classmates when I went into the Air Force, as my retired Master Sergeant father had done. I had great assignments, including a fantastic assignment in Spain working with the Spanish Air Force. It was very satisfying to be part of an international program to enhance the security of both nations. My last assignment (after 9 years) was with Air Force Security Service, where I worked on systems that could provide safety for aircrews on combat missions.
My wife and I moved to the Washington, DC metro area, with our three daughters, where I began a career in satellite communications and distance education. I managed systems that controlled satellites, provided communications, as well as others that provided courseware. My wife and I both had the opportunity to work on an Army National Guard project that provided training to both soldiers and citizens. I completed my career in the federal government managing programs to help the Department of Housing and Urban Development FHA’s (Federal Housing Administration) mission to provide affordable housing to all Americans. Along the way I finally started golf and played as much as possible. I also enjoy flight simulation on my computer.
In every position I have held, I practiced the high standards of Duty, Honor, Country which we learned so long ago. Adhering to those ideals has enabled me to serve our country both in uniform and in civilian clothes, satisfying the closing words of our Alma Mater:
And when our work is done,
Our course on earth is run,
May it be said, ‘Well Done;
Be Thou At Peace.’
E’er may that line of gray
Increase from day to day,
Live, serve, and die, we pray,
West Point, for thee.
BEAT NAVY!
- West Point to the Air Force
A West Point graduate’s unique journey into the Air Force offers insight into diverse military paths and the enduring bond between classmates. - Adventures in Spain – 1976Choosing the Air Force on Branch Night would take me to places different than my classmates, doing different things. I joined twenty-five of our classmates who went into the Air Force at graduation. When the Air Force assignment officer visited West Point, I asked him what does the Air Force do? This was because… Read more: Adventures in Spain – 1976
- Report to the man in the “Red Sash”
I boarded a plane (my first jet ride) in New Orleans the day before we were to report. Got to New York City, found my way to Port Authority Bus terminals and the bus to West Point. Stayed at the Thayer Hotel. Inadvertently went exploring the cadet area with a couple of other guys and… Read more: Report to the man in the “Red Sash”