I was a Asst Mgr of McDonalds Pittsburgh Pa. Actually the snitch for the Big Mac. Long Story goes with this. Also drove for Purolator Courier Corp. Had routes in Pittsburgh where
I would put 89 miles a day in the city. Then I got a route where I drove to Cleveland 5 nights a week. I liked that route the best. I could harass the Cleveland Brown and Indian Fans because I was from Pittsburgh. I did that for about 2 years. Oh yes, 3 Snow belts on the way up and 3 snow belts on the way home. Guess you have to love snow LOL.
I married my wife Donna in May 9th,1970. We actually started dating in 1964, (9th Grade). Today, we have a daughter Tracey, born at Dover AFB) & 2 sons Jason & Sean, both served in U S Army. Today they each have 2 kids each. It's great being Grandparents.
I also served 18 years with the Big Knob Vol Fire Dept. Worked for Community Ambulance in Aliquippa for about 5 years in the 80's.
I recently retired from Horsehead Corporation as a bricklayer after 32 years of service.
I was formally the Newsletter Editor & Secretary for Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 862 here in Beaver County Pa. Gave it up after 17 years.
Presently, I am the Webmaster and SPOC. (Single Point of Contact)
We are the largest VVA chapter in Pennsylvania and the 3rd largest in the US, and we only started this chapter in 2000. .In June of 2010 I was voted in as VVA Pa State Council - Secretary.
I just took over our Chapter Web Site as Webmaster. Check out http://www.vva862.org"All New"
Other Comments:
I DJ'd for about 25 years commonly known as "Lee's Oldies Express" retiring from that in 1995.
I sang Bass in 2 different Barbershop Quartets. "Sweetwater Celebration" from the Sewickley and North Hills area of Pittsburgh & " A Special Blend" here in Beaver County PA. Retired from that around 1985.
I also am a "Ham Radio Operator and hold a "Extra Class" license with the callsign N3IAL since the mid 80's.
Same time period, I Played in an over 30 Indoor Soccer League along with refering and coaching Youth Soccer wih FAST = "Freedom Area Soccer Teams". Ended up being the PA West Soccer Association West District Registrar.
I have been singing since I was 8 years old. Locally I sing either the National Anthem, God Bless America & "God Bless the USA" . When I go to our C7-A Reunions, I always sing "God Bless The USA" for the closing ceremonies. As of Sept 2010, I've got to sing at Pegion Forge Tn in 2006, 2007 in San Antonio Tx, 2008 at Wright Patt Air Force Museum (this was the best I ever sounded) and this years 2010 at Macon Ga.
I do have a Grandson, Jordan Escamilla, now in his 4th year at the Air Force Academy, who is planning on flying either the F-22 or F-35's or maybe Helicopters, who know in todays Air Force. Heck, he may even end up in a C 17. You never know. He has participated with the Air Force Drum & Bugle Band and also did filming with the Air Force Football Team while at the Academy.
I can't wait to see how his career goes from here. He did graduate from the Academy in 2020. Yes, It was different but they did graduate even with the Covid - 19 Pandemic going on.
Jordan is now in training at Ft Rucker, Al for Helicopter Training. ot sure which one he'll end up on. I really think he wants the "PAVEHAWK"
My wife Donna and I are very proud of Jordan as he begins to serve his country n the U S Air Force but we are proud of all our grandkids.
1970-1971, C-5 Galaxy
From Year 1970
To Year 1971
Personal Memories
Also worked on C5-A's with 436 FMS at Dover AFB De. This was when they first came out. We called these the Electro-Hydraulic Nightmare. Areo Repair Shop spent many night Jacking and retracting the Landing Gears overnight as we could not duplicate the malfunction.When they were flying, the wings were holding the aircraft up. When we had them on jacks, the wings had no lift taking place at all. They would land at Dover with 2 Green lights and 1 Red. Limit switches in one of the Landing Gears would not get the signal back to the pilot that the gear was down and locked. Many Many nights we stayed up with these aircraft.
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C-5 Galaxy Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is an American military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It was designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances and to carry outsize and oversize cargo. The C-5 Galaxy has been operated by the United States Air Force since 1969 and is one of the largest military aircraft in the world.
Model Lockheed C-5B Galaxy Length 247.83 ft | 75.54 m Width 222.70 ft | 67.88 m Height 65.12 ft | 19.85 m Engine(s) 4 x General Electric TF39-GE-1C turbofans generating 43,000lbs of thrust each. Empty Weight 373,999 lbs | 169,643 kg MTOW 836,996 lbs | 379,655 kg Max Speed 572 mph | 920 km/h | 497 kts Max Range 6,468 miles | 10,410 km Ceiling 0 ft | 0 m | 0.0 miles Climb Rate 1,725 ft/min (525.78 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament None. Accommodations 7 (pilot, co-pilot, two flight engineers and three loadmasters) Operators the United States of America