TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

into Marine Corps Air Station El Toro so no protesters
around; in fact had a flag waving greeting. Flew from
LA back to Iowa to meet up with my wife & son Mike.
Cheryl met me at the airport. My son now one & a half
years old had a crinkled photo of Daddy in his hand but
came right to me & gave Daddy a big hug & kiss. Drove
to my in-law's farm and was surprised to be greeted
with a cold beer. This was the 1st time my mother-inlaw
had ever allowed alcohol in the house. Saw my
Mom, sister & family in Akron on the drive back to
New River, reporting in to HMM-264 in Feb.1970. I was
a CH-46 flight instructor for Marine aviators headed to
Vietnam & also to designated USMC aviators that were
preparing to transition to fly the new Harrier Jump Jets
going into service. Those jet jocks had a bitch of a time
learning how to transition into a hover. Promoted to
Capt. & got my 1st Command becoming the CO of
MATCU-64, the Air Traffic Control unit at New River.
Our 2nd son Daniel was born in the Naval Hospital at
Camp Lejeune in Nov. 1971. Since I missed most to the
diaper changing it was my turn. I resigned my regular
commission 15 Feb. 1972 & pursued a career in the
automobile business.
After My Initial Obligation was up: Landed a job with
the Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company
in Seattle, Washington. Did not know till much later
reading the bulletin board by the water fountain that
Ford was living up to the government's quota to hire
Vets. I should thank them for it launched me on whole
new career. Our third son Christopher was born May
1974 after I was transferred down to Southern Ca. Our
home in Irvine was right under the night glide path of
Marine Corps Tustin Air Station so I felt at home. In
Second Platoon
1980 after numerous field assignments on the West
Coast it was my turn to go back to Ford's Headquarters
in Detroit. After one tough winter of snow & ice I
moved the family back to sunny Southern Ca. & joined
Toyota Motor Sales. After 30 years of service I retired
from Toyota as Sr.Vice President, Automotive
Operations responsible for the Toyota & Lexus
Divisions, Sales Administration, Toyota Logistic
Services, Toyota de Mexico & Toyota de Puerto Rico.
I have been dedicated to helping our Veterans. I was
appointed to serve on the Department of Defense
Advisory Board for Employer Support of the Guard &
Reserve. Served 12 years on the Board of Directors of
the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF)
raising money for need based scholarships to
deserving sons & daughters of Marines & Navy
Corpsman. I also Co-chair the U.S. Chambers Veteran
Employment Advisory Council for Hiring Our Heroes.
My Current Life: All three of our sons are happily
married to great ladies & have given us 7 wonderful
grand kids to enjoy. Mike & Chris & 4 grandkids live
close by in Southern Ca. where we retired (paying the
weather tax) & Dan with the other 3 grand kids are a 2
hour plane ride away in Portland. I continue with my
pro bono work helping our Veterans find gainful
employment, Co-Chairing Hiring Our Heroes & raising
funds for the MCSF providing need based scholarships
helping fellow Marines so they can afford to send their
kids to college. With my wife Cheryl we have enjoyed
traveling the world including our trip back to Vietnam.
Believe it or not the Vietnamese people from Saigon,
Da Nang to Hanoi all loved Americans. More travel is
on the agenda. I do email & texting so I can
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