I was drafted into the Army on March 11, 1971. I attended Basic Training at Fort Campbell, KY. My Advanced Individual Training(AIT) was done at Fort Lee, VA. My MOS was (76W) Petroleum Storage Specialist, Fuel Handler. My first duty station was Fort Wainwright, Alaska. I spent five and half months there. I then volunteered to go to Vietnam. I served nine and a half months in Vietnam. Following Vietnam, I went to Fort Hood, Texas, and then Heilbronn, Germany. While in Germany I worked as a Helicopter Refueler two years. I returned to Fort Lee, to attend NCOES. My next duty station was at Fort Carson, CO. After serving two years there, I applied for Drill Sergeant, and Airborne Schools.
After failing the eye exams, I learned that I had Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). I was discharge on February 23, 1978, after serving six years, eleven month and thirteen days.
After getting out of the Army I went to Thomas Nelson Community College for eighteen months and studied Automotive Mechanics. Following my military service, I also worked at the Post Office as a Letter Carrier for six years. As my eye sight continued to deteriorate I was forced to retire from the Post Office. I completed thirteen years of government service.
I have been a member of the BVA since 1995. I was instrumental in getting the Hampton, Virginia BVA chapter started. Since then I have always been involved with the BVA I served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group BVA Treasurer for about eight years. I was recently elected to serve as the MARG BVA Secretary /Treasurer.