Retired with 30 years service from Verizon Telecommunications since June 30, 2009. The company was in the process of selling off to Frontier Communications here in West Virginia, so in order to keep my benefits and get the best "buyout," I left. Not currently employed, just living the "good life," enjoying grandchildren, walk 2 miles daily, mountain bike, caving/spelunking, fly fishing, sightseeing, shortwave listening, traveling, camping, hiking, computers, etc. Working on getting my "camp" fixed up in Summersville, WV. I hurt my back while shoveling heavy snow during the Winter of 2013-2014 bulging three disks in my lower back so I had to give up running. Still have much to occupy my time and looking forward to doing many new things too.
Best Friends Jim Lervey, Bruce Parent, and others, too many to list...
Best Moment TDY to Alaska two times, flying over North Pole; also refueling different kinds of aircraft, even experimental and factory-only types; flying in a rescue helicopter with my crew over the Alaska terrain taking pictures of animals etc. just many great times!!!
Worst Moment Arriving back to Griffis AFB after an extremely long mission during an exercise to penetrate NORAD from the northeast coming from Greenland. The whole crew was very tired we were low on fuel and when the pilot flared to touchdown he was high and reduced power too soon. We went literally bouncing down the runway several times before gaining control. We then made a couple of approaches with the landing gear down so Base OPS could look us over. He gave us the OK and said we were cleared to land. That time we made it fine, but debriefing took a while. I'm just glad we didn't crash and burn, God was watching over us that night.
Other Memories TDY to various places; AK,ME,CA,AL,KS,VA,FL,GA,TX,NE,LA and others I can't even remember :)
