#215—Memorial Day 2026 … Never Forget

Veterans Day - Missing Man Table

I’ve posted this article on Memorial Day for the past few years, with only a few slight changes. Why? Because it speaks volumes about how I personally feel about Memorial Day as a US Navy veteran. For many years, I… Read more#215—Memorial Day 2026 … Never Forget

#214—“Chills” in Nuremberg

I’ve been on a little hiatus recently.  Becky and I just returned from three weeks in Europe: a Rhine River cruise (Nuremberg, Germany to Basel, Switzerland) with bookend stops. A few days in Nuremberg, then a 10-day cruise, followed by… Read more#214—“Chills” in Nuremberg

#213 — “The End” … of this Journey

Don’t worry … this is not “the end” of A Veteran’s Journey. Not even close. Instead, it’s what an author may type when he (or she) finishes writing and publishing a book. The “Journey” I began this book project in… Read more#213 — “The End” … of <i>this</i> Journey

#212—“Down Time,” Part 2: USS Kitty Hawk (On-duty)

F-14 Tomcat (VF-84 Jolly Rogers) prepares to launch from USS Carl Vinson (CV-70). June 15, 1982. PH3 Dostie, USN.

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Above Photo: An F-14 Tomcat aircraft waits behind the blast deflector panels as another F-14 from Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) prepares for launching during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70)…. Read more#212—“Down Time,” Part 2: USS Kitty Hawk (On-duty)

#211—“Down Time,” Part 1: NAS Agana, Guam (On-duty)

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I write a lot about times on the flight deck during flight ops, which, as you may recall, are always exciting. But it’s not all about an adrenaline rush. We weren’t always flying planes. There… Read more#211—“Down Time,” Part 1: NAS Agana, Guam (On-duty)

#210—There’s Nothing Like a Liberty Port Call

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) After five weeks at sea, running flight ops from mid-morning to midnight, lack of sleep, and the constant hum of Kitty Hawk’s four main engines, I’m ready for a port call. I’m sure all 5,500… Read more#210—There’s Nothing Like a Liberty Port Call

#209—This “Getting Old S**t” is Getting Old

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) The Medicare Journey I thought about naming this post “The Medicare Journey,” but I decided to go a different route. Yes, I’m retired, I’m drawing social security, I’ve got some savings, and my wife &… Read more#209—This “Getting Old S**t” is Getting Old

#208—“Timeless Treasures”

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Growing up in Gainesville, Florida, my parents gave my sister and me a Kodak disposable camera, sometime in the 1960s. You remember those … 12 shots in a weird-looking yellow box. You’d turn the entire… Read more#208—“Timeless Treasures”

#207—Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026

Carrier Sunset

Another year around the sun … another year of blog posts. Where does the time go? As we used to say back in my day, “It’s Not Just a Job … It’s An Adventure.” Here are the five most popular… Read more#207—Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026

#206—Those Things That Stay With You …

USS Ronald Reagan (2009) E-2 Hawkeye on Cat 2

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) By the time you read this blog post, I’ll have just turned a young 71 years old. I don’t know about you, but when I make another trip around the sun, I count my many… Read more#206—Those Things That Stay With You …