#201—The Journey Continues

A “Chance” Meeting? Last week, a group of us Rebuild volunteers completed rebuilding a porch in Gainesville. We had rebuilt the front porch a couple of weeks earlier but couldn’t finish the one in the back because the lumber store… Read more#201—The Journey Continues

#200—If We Had This Back in the 70s …

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Is This Really My 200th Blog Post? I posted my first “A Veteran’s Journey” blog on Veterans Day, 2010—almost five years ago! Wow, how time flies, right? Actually, if you count the number of Navy… Read more#200—If We Had This Back in the 70s …

#199—You Remember That Time When …

US Navy Veteran Patch

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) You Got Home, Knowing You Were No Longer in the Navy My sister, Anne, had flown out from Florida to San Diego. Our plan was to drive back across the country in my 1976 blue… Read more#199—You Remember That Time When …

#198—The Weight We Carry

F-18 Launches off USS Ronald Reagan

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Thanks to those who commented on my last blog post, “What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?” A few insights: I like to write. Am I a good writer? I don’t know … Like… Read more#198—The Weight We Carry

#197—What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) “I don’t know what I’ve been told …163 got a ‘hole lotta soul.Sound off … 1, 2.Sound off … 3, 4.Bring it on down now.1,2,3,4, 1,2Let’s go!” Ahh, the cadence of Company #163 marching from… Read more#197—What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?

#196—Your Mission … Should You Decide to Accept it

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Do you remember when you first joined the Navy (or military … it really doesn’t matter which branch)? Do you remember the recruiter who totally agreed that whatever job you selected was “The best job… Read more#196—Your Mission … Should You Decide to Accept it

#195—A Child of the Sixties

Photo credit: Astronaut Neil Armstrong took this photo of fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin after they planted the US flag on the moon’s surface. Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I’m a “Baby Boomer,” born in the mid-1950s (geez, that seems SO… Read more#195—A Child of the Sixties

#191—Memorial Day 2025… Never Forget

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#191—Memorial Day 2025… Never Forget

#190—Westpac ’75: Heading Home

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I’m writing a multi-part series of articles about a US Navy cruise in the Pacific, commonly known as a “Westpac.” I made one Westpac in 1975. It made quite an impression on me and it’s… Read more#190—Westpac ’75: Heading Home

#189—Westpac ’75: It’s Not Just a Job…

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I’m writing a multi-part series of articles about a US Navy cruise in the Pacific, commonly known as a “Westpac.” I made one Westpac in 1975. It made quite an impression on me and it’s… Read more#189—Westpac ’75: It’s Not Just a Job…