| Biographical Information:
After college, I married my college sweetheart,
and we both enlisted in the United States Air Force. I retired from the
Air Force in 1994. Since then, after a short stint as a student once
again, I decided school wasn't for me any more. I quit college and
teamed up with the United States Postal Service where I've been ever
since. My plans are to retire from the postal service at the end of
2009 and just chill for the remainder of my days (aaaaaah!!!). Two full
careers is plenty for anybody :) !!! My daughter Chelseah (her name
rhymes with "idea") also works at the Macon Processing and Distribution
Center (USPS) with me. As of this update, she's 30 years old, single,
and loving it. As an Air Force "brat", Chelseah has had quite an
education for herself, besides her conventional college. I think the
greatest plus for her (and myself) was all the travel and exposure to a
variety of other cultures. Where most people read about things in
books, we've had the opportunity to experience and live it firsthand.
Our favorite assignment, of the over 40 different countries we've been
assigned in or traveled in, was in the Philippines. We were stationed
there from 1988-1991. I would have extended my assignment and retired
there, but, Mount Pinatubo had other plans for the American presence
there. When Mount Pinatubo erupted, all the volcanic ash and
pyroclastic flow literally covered and destroyed Clark Air Base (I lost
everything), ending its ability to deploy jet aircraft in and out of
there. I lived like a queen there with houseboys, house girls, sew
girls, and yard boys. It was so cheap to live on their economy that my
monthly bills (rent, utilities, etc.) totaled approximately $250 a
month--try beating that! Also, I was assigned to the 3rd Law
Enforcement Squadron, which boasted the ONLY mounted horse patrol in the
entire Armed Services. For those of you who remember me riding around
Iowa Falls on my Arabian horse, Sultan of Morocco, you know this was
paradise for me! I was always at the horse stables riding in my spare
time. A year prior to the great volcanic eruption, Clark Air Base was
devastated by a huge earthquake, registering 8.0 on the Richter Scale.
It literally rocked the island of Luzon and killed many people,
primarily in the region of Camp John Hay. I could go on and on with
numerous stories about other assignments, but, I think this gives one a
fair idea of some of the many hair-splitting experiences we've
encountered in our military career. When I look back in retrospect, how
many people, in a lifetime, get to experience the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben,
the Changing of the Guard (Buckingham Palace), famous World War I and II
battle sites, the beautiful gondola boat rides on the canals of Italy,
the German festivals and all the exotic foods peculiar to each country?
Now, if this isn't an education, I don't know what is? I could go on
and on, but for lack of space, will stop here :) !!! Above all, I feel
blessed to have served my country so proudly and faithfully for 20+
years. My dad, Ole Larson, was a Navy, WWII veteran. I always wanted
to serve because of the stories he shared with me when I was a child
growing up in rural Iowa. Living in gas masks, field conditions, eating
MREs (meals-ready-to eat), and roughing it were all part of my military
experience, but, I believe I came out a better person for all I've
experienced. I remember how upset I got when, at first, they wouldn't
let me deploy to Desert Storm--at the time, there was a coup attempt
against the Philippine government, and none of us in the 3rd Law
Enforcement Squadron were allowed to go because we were on high alert at
our home base deploying F-16s over Manila. I must admit, however, it's
great to be a civilian again and stay in one place without having to be
reassigned every couple of years. I appreciate the stability, and have
vowed never to board an airplane again (if I can help it). I spent
several years on the IG (Inspector General) team which meant countless
TDYs, both air- and-road trips. Experiences such as this have turned me
into a regular home body. I've had my fill of travel, and am presently
enjoying life in Backyardsville, USA! I just recently had a sun room
added on to my home, and I don't think one day goes by that I don't
spend time out there--just enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of
nature. I love the great outdoors! I enjoy watching my babies (Boomer
and Lilly) dart around the back yard, chasing birds and squirrels. I'm
still the avid reader I always was, reading everything I can get my
hands on (primarily non-fiction). I know I need to get busy and get
some flicks sent in to our class website, so all of you can catch up
with me. My military career (spent primarily overseas) wouldn't allow
me to attend class reunions. I'll have to make up the best way I
can--in pictures. They say a picture says a thousand words, so I'll get
some together. Since I lost most of my treasured personal items,
pictures included, in the wake of the volcanic eruption, I'll have to
send what I still have remaining. The nice thing is that the memories
can never be destroyed :)!!! Until my next update...loving life, and
living it to the fullest!
-Too Much to handle in one sitting
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