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Howdy from Texas! I proudly served in the US Air Force for over 10 years.
Please exercise your freedom to vote in the 2008 Presidential Election. Many brave men & women have died or gotten injured or ill to protect our freedom in the US.
I voted for Mike Huckabee in our Texas Republican Primary. He's a refreshing change to the presidential political scene. Mike served as Lt Gov in Arkansas then Gov for 10 1/2 years. Gov Huckabee is all about Faith, Family & Freedom. To study more about Mike and his stance on the issues, I encourage you to visit his website www.HuckPAC.com....he is certainly of the people, by the people, for the people.
A bit more about my Air Force career: my dad was a career military man serving in the Air Force for 20 years, so it was a natural fit for me to follow in those steps. I went through Air Force ROTC at St. Louis University and graduated with a degree in meteorology.
My first assignment was at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. Great job since I got to work closely with the aircrews participating in the Red Flag Combat School, Air Warrior, and the Fighter Weapons School. I was commissioned right after Desert Storm kicked off and volunteered after a year at Nellis to serve in Saudi Arabia supporting Operation Southern Watch.
Unfortunately while serving in Saudi, I picked up an intestinal parasite that zapped my stomach, small intestines and other areas of the body. It took the docs 3 years to figure out what was going on, but by then my digestive system had suffered chronic damage which the doctor called incapacitating. I managed to "gut" out nearly 11 years in the Air Force but they finally medically separated me at the rank of major. God has certainly taught me alot during this struggle but it has really strengthened my faith in Him.
These are just a few pics from my time in and around the military. (Click on the pic twice for a larger version) It was a great experience and I would do it again if i could! You can't replace the feeling of pride knowing that you're helping spread freedom & liberty around the world while keeping America safe.
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After Nellis, I was stationed at Texas A&M for more schooling, Biloxi AFB in Mississippi, Altus AFB in Oklahoma, and finally my last stop at Randolph AFB in Texas. It's been a tough adjustment not being able to wear the uniform every day. I appealed the med board's decision up to the Secretary of the Air Force but the board said I was too sick to stay on active duty but not sick enough to earn a medical retirement. Doh. My symptoms over a decade later still include: weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, fevers, insomnia, chills, dizziness, plumbing issues, motion sickness, and multiple food and chemical allergies. The tough part is i enjoyed great health before deploying to Saudi and now have to live with many restrictions. A small price to pay considering how great it is to live in a free nation.
I was recently denied employment by the US Post Office because of my health history. The VA claim appeal process continues as I push for a higher disability rating. How they can only rate my gut condition at 30% is beyond my imagination when my VA doctor called my symptoms severe and incapacitating. I'll just keep at it.
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