Brother Bob, Our Military, and Our Vets

Before I get started, I want to share my background:


I was born, a military brat. My dad was Career Army. 3rd Armored Div. My dad looked great in his uniform and I used to help him polish his brass with Brasso. I was born in Frankfort, Germany, in an American Army hospital on May 18, 1956. I was conceived in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In 1959, my dad was transferred to Ft. Riley, Kansas for about 9 months. His last duty station would end up being ROTC duty, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. We moved to Norman in September of 1960. I was 4 years old. I'm an "only child". I have no brothers or sisters. Yeah, my mom and dad spoiled me. I went to school in Norman and I went to college at The University of Oklahoma. I joined a fraternity(Kappa Sigma) while I was at OU. I never finished and in 1976, I decided to join the Navy due to strained relations with my parents and the fact that I had fallen in love(Heat) with my soon to be first wife! LOL! I went down and took the ASVAB test and scored the 4th highest in the state, according to my recruiter. By the way, my Major at OU was Meteorology, which is an Engineering Degree, not Liberal Arts. My recruiter tried to talk me into Navy ROTC at OU. The catch was the Navy would own my young azz for 10 years! Didn't seem like a fair deal to me being I already had two years under my belt and had already paid for two years of my education. I wanted to go in as an Aerographers Mate,(Navy Weather Man)there was no open billets at the A-School. I opted on a four year active and two year inactive as an Electricians Mate. I reported to Boot Camp in Orlando, Florida in May of 1976. Upon completion, I took two weeks leave and then returned to Orlando for Basic Electricity and Electronics School. After that, I reported to Great Lakes, Illinois for A-School. After A-School, I reported to Sub Group 6 and the U.S.S. Compass Island in Charleston, S.C. She was docked at Pier Lima. We went on a three week cruise, soon after I reported to her. I took another two week leave and returned home to marry Treva. We drove back and got an apartment in Summerville, S.C. I finished my tour in May of 1980 and returned home to Norman. I was immediately employed by Southwestern Bell. In 1982, I divorced Treva and met Wanda. Wanda and I were married in March of 1983. Wanda already had a child from her previous marriage. Her name is Carol. Wanda blessed us with two more girls named Jennifer and Ashley...... By 1987, the economy had turned for the worst and I was surplussed. This means that I was about to get laid off. South Central Bell, in Tennessee(A Div. of Bell South), was needing technicians and grabbed me up. They bridged my time and service so I didn't lose any seniority. In 2006, AT&T bought Bell South and I am now employed by Ma Bell. In 2007, I went to Engineering and this pretty much brings you all up to date, about me.

I know this has been a long read and sounds more like an Autobiography so far, but I want you folks to know a little about me before I go off into my tirade.

I served my country because I felt as if I owed a debt of gratitude to the men and women that had served her prior to me. I registered for the draft on my 18th birthday and I assure you that 1-A, I was next. Vietnam came to a close and I was never sent there. I also love this country and it's rich history. What pisses me off is when folks start bad-mouthing our men and women in uniform and our Veterans. Most have never served and take the things that our fore-fathers fought and died for, for granted! They walk up to "The Wall" and spit on it! They take our flag and burn it, step on it, spit on it, throw it on the ground and cuss it! As far as I'm concerned, they are doing the same to every Veteran and every soldier that has a pulse or is buried in a cemetery. They are desecrating mom, apple pie, Chevrolet, hot dogs, baseball, and our whole way of life! It's a Declaration of War in my book and for most anyone who has served our country. I get sick to my stomach when I see our flag getting abused! I get really upset when I see an old Vet crying over what's happening. But when I hear of an active serviceman or woman being abused by a bunch of anti-war activists, my blood boils! When I hear that Disabled Vet's are not getting the best treatment we have to offer, I write my Congressman and ask them, "Why?" There was a time when the warriors of this great nation were put on the highest pedestal. All too often they are forgotten or treated with less dignity than an illegal alien! Let's take care of our vets and active duty and for God sakes lets never forget the sacrifices they and they're families made to protect our freedom!

I will add this as a side note. I'm a Patriot! Go look up the meaning in a dictionary! Then, you'll understand! To my Marine friends, Semper Fi! To the rest of you, God Bless the United Staes and God bless you! Brother Bob