This was my first day at USCGA. I'm up in the top left corner. Of the seven cadets around me in the photo, only 3 graduated.

Graduation Day, one of the happiest days of my life. Crowd is much smaller now.

Interested in the Coast Guard Academy? Click on the logo for info....

My Grandfather, a decorated WWII veteran and true hero of the Greatest Generation, pinned on my new Ensign shoulder boards after graduation.

After Graduation, I served 2 years aboard USCGC DAUNTLESS, a 210 foot medium endurance cutter. We had to go to dry dock for scheduled maintenance so I got a rare photo standing under my own ship!

Who knew how prophetic this photo would be. Standing in front of a Coast Guard H-52 at Air Station Houston as a kid.

After a year at Navy Flight School in Pensacola, I earned my helicopter wings. Here I am receiving my Flight Suit wings, or "soft patch", from LT Jim Nordhill, USN.

Melissa joining me at my "Soft Patch" Ceremony. At the ceremony, instructors get to tell your guests all the dumb things you did while learning to fly. They spoke for a while....

Here I got the opportunity to speak at an air show after performing a search and rescue demonstration.

Praciticing shipboard takeoffs and landings aboard a 210 foot medium endurance cutter.

Who wouldn't be thrilled to fly with a crew like this???

Showing Melissa and our friend Teri Watson around the hangar at Port Angeles.

Interested in learning more about the Coast Guard??? Just click on the Coast Guard banner to the left and you will go to the US Coast Guard Homepage.