Top Ten List and fragments

Top Ten List of Significant Moments in my Life

1 Eighth and ninth grade in Naples Italy
2 End of high school-acceptance to the Naval Academy
3 Letter to parents defining my beliefs
4 Lack of fear
5 Vietnam combat duty
6 Religious beliefs
7 Discussion about adoption
8 Newly wed life
9 Sharing everything
10 Large extended family and realization that my wife and I are enablers

I have no fear. I’m really not afraid of anything. Sure, I get excited, feel the rush of adrenalin and get ready to act but I don’t think of fear itself. I run towards houses on fire, explosions or natural disasters. I am wired as a helper and enabler and was brought up knowing that a martyr was someone special. A Christian in a lion’s den was an opportunity to show what you were made of. I’m not a gladiator or fighter but just a human being that feels the need to help others in trouble.

I tell people I’m sort of a Lutheran as Luther and I were both excommunicated from the Catholic Church. I didn’t really fight the church I just quit going. Another way I answer the religion question (who asks any more?) is that I tested out of Catholicism. I went to Catholic schools from first thru twelve, was an altar boy and served daily mass at the house next door (a Navy chaplain with his own altar in the guest bedroom). Everyone can relate to getting credit built up or airline miles amassed. I’m going first class to heaven on points. I hope they don’t expire? I better check on that loophole. In truth I just didn’t buy it anymore. When I was eighteen, and at the Naval Academy, I wrote my parents a letter informing them about my new belief system. “Don’t lie, cheat or steal and treat everyone like you want to be treated.” PS I’m not going to church any more so you can stop hoping and praying I’ll come around. I hope they didn’t save that letter. I can’t believe I did it. I thought I had to nip it in the bud right then. I was eighteen.

I have three brothers and we’re not that far apart in age. My parents were old school and Mom stayed at home and Dad was a Naval Officer but didn’t go to sea. My brothers and I were raised very much alike under solid rules with love dispersed evenly as needed so how did we become a conscientious objector, two Naval Officers (pilots) and a surfer. What’s more is one is Libertarian, one Democrat, one Republican and a surfer.

We don’t have any kids ourselves but we raised two nieces, a nephew, a sister-in-law, two exchange students and a family friend. We’ve been married thirty-nine years, moved twenty five times and have owned eleven homes or condos along the way. How do we feel? We are extremely happy to be alive. We’re looking forward to the next phase of life. What is that going to be?

I went away for nine months. It was a standard ship deployment schedule in the Navy. My squadron went aboard the USS Enterprise CVAN 65 and off we went to the Gulf of Tonkin within flying distance to Hanoi. At first it was a relief to be away from my last desk job of recruiting at the University of California at Berkley. I felt uncomfortable asking others to sign up especially when they’re in your face spitting “baby killers” all over you. I had grown up on Navy bases and then went to the Naval Academy so I knew all about duty, honor and Country. I didn’t know any “baby killers”. I was sworn into the Navy in the summer of ’65. Who would have thought the conflict would be escalating seven years later. My goose is cooked.