Shortly after graduating high school, I joined the Navy on June 6, 1967.  Four months later on October 6^th, I took my first plane trip to boot camp in San Diego, California.  My first duty assignment was on the USS Sacramento AOE-1 as a fireman in the Forward Engine Room.  From May 1968 through February 1970, I made two West Pac cruises off the coast of Viet Nam in the Gulf of Tonkin.  Our main mission was to resupply aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts with fuel, bombs, jet fuel, AV gas, missiles, ammunition, food, and all necessary items.  In Jan 1968 we were ordered to North Korea as a show of force when the USS Pueblo was captured until the situation deescalated.  We then returned to the Gulf of Tonkin.  While on the Sacramento, two fighter pilots were rescued after their aircraft was struck by enemy fire.  After making Machinist Mate 2^ndclass (E-5) I received orders to the USS Chara AE-31 where I operated and maintained the ship’s main engines and auxiliary equipment associated with steam propulsion.  In 1971, I deployed the 3^rd time for another West Pac Cruise in the Gulf of Tonkin.  While on board the USS Chara, the ship’s crew was awarded the meritorious unit commendation from the secretary of the Navy, Admiral Zumwalt.  My military education was military leadership 3&2, machinist mate 3& 2, military requirements P.O 3&2.  October 28, 1971, I was discharged from the Navy.  I attended the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute for basic diesel mechanics. I began working at Rust Tractor as an apprentice technician. Working for three different Caterpillar Dealerships, I retired as a journeyman technician in June 2019 after 45 years of service.Work in progress