Hello, and welcome.  While you are here you are in Central Florida with me, high up in a tree in the security of the nest.

The personal side:

A wonderful and unbelievably supportive wife since 1968 and 3 sons of whom I am so very proud — fine men all, with wives for whom “in-law” should be dropped from “daughter-in-law.”  I am a truly fortunate person. 

An enjoyable but sometimes very difficult 29 years, 4 months, and 16 days US Air Force, retired (but who’s counting?) – Aircraft Instrument Systems Repairman; Avionics Technician and Instructor; Avionics/Autopilot Shop and Branch Chief; First Sergeant; Mobility NCOIC; NCO Leadership School Commandant (founded and built the organization); NCO Professional Development Center Commandant (NCO Preparatory Course, NCO Leadership School, and NCO Academy, 3 courses, the latter 2 in-resident, under our roof); Senior Enlisted Advisor; Chief Enlisted Manager; and Logistics Officer.  Pretty much began with Vietnam and ended with Desert Storm (Saudi Arabia).

2 civilian world jobs, one in the training field and “the retirement job” working at Walt Disney World.

Now truly retired.    

The environs:

There is often a nice breeze or lofting thermals for soaring and the view is fantastic.

The glitzy fantasy world of Disney is just a few minutes flight time to our northwest, and the Ocala National Forest is farther to the north.  The concrete and asphalt of Orlando are to our northeast, and farther to the east is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, in which is strangely nestled the John F. Kennedy Space Center.  From the nest even human eyes can see the occasional launch of space vehicles at the space center while others of the avian world circle lazily over the area closer to home.  And some of the country’s largest gathering places for our species is just to our west.