This is a reprint of my 30JUNE04 journal entry. I think it is fitting independence Day.

So here it is, almost seven years of serving my country in the United States Navy. On September 11, 1997 I arrived at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Illinois. (BOOT CAMP) I had every intention of doing my four years and getting out. I wanted money to go to college, but did not know what I wanted to study. There was a small part of me that wanted to retire after twenty years. I was never going to say that out loud. So as I said it has already been almost seven years, and I will be reenlisting for an additional six years soon. At the end of that I will have served fourteen years, so I will go for an additional six and finish off my twenty and retire at the ripe old age of forty one. It sounds so simple. What you may not see here is all the hard work and trials that have gotten me this far, and what it will take to make it to twenty years. It will take blood, sweat, and tears from me, Stella, and the kids. I would never make them live like this if I did not feel that it was worth it, if I did not believe what the United States stands for, and fights for... Even what my FRIENDS, SHIPMATES and members of other services DIE for. All of this aside, this is my job, MY profession. I am a United States sailor. I am an Aviation Electrician's Mate. I am a petty officer second class, an E-5. And I am good at what I do. I AM A UNITED STATES SAILOR I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THOSE APPOINTED OVER ME I REPRESENT THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF THE NAVY AND THOSE THAT HAVE GONE BEFORE ME TO DEFEND FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD I PROUDLY SERVE MY COUNTRY'S NAVY COMBAT TEAM WITH HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT I AM COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND THE FAIR TREATMENT OF ALL

This is a subject that I feel strongly about. I love my job, my navy and my country. This is not all that I care about, more that this I love my Wife and my two children. There is nothing that can make me happier than them. It is because of them that I to do my part in the Navy. I love you Stella, Niko, and Penelope. That's it for today.

¶ 7/03/2004 10:42:00 PM

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