Military Family
As you can see from this picture of my mom and dad on their wedding day, I come from a military family. Dad served in the European Theater in WWII and retired from the Air Force in 1961. Mom was a real trooper -- she’d pack up kids, dogs, cats, turtles and parakeets and make every move a grand adventure.
And all four of their kids followed the military tradition. My brother and older sister served in the Marines. My younger sister and I both went AF.
And all four of their kids followed the military tradition. My brother and older sister served in the Marines. My younger sister and I both went AF.
Wedding Bells
I joined the AF after attending Ripon College, WI; Middlebury College, VT; and Princeton University, NJ. As fate would have it, I met this dashing young captain my second day at my very first duty station. Al and I were married in Taiwan, honeymooned in Hong Kong.
Vietnam
A year later, Al got orders to Vietnam and I immediately volunteered to go. He served at DaNang, I was at Tan Son Nhut AB, just outside Saigon - NOT an experience I’d want to repeat, although it did give me great fodder for my book, Duty and Dishonor.
Would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Many great assignments followed: Maxwell AFB, AL; Kirtland AFB, NM; Randolph AFB, TX; The Pentagon; and the highlight of my career - commander of the 3200 Support Wing at Eglin AFB, FL. Serving my country was a wonderful experience, one I’d recommend to anyone who loves adventure and being part of something crucially important.
Life after the Air Force
Now I’ve hung up my uniform for good and gone blond. Al and I spend most of our time traveling or chasing little white balls around the fairways of Oklahoma -- when I’m not glued to my keyboard, racing to meet a deadline, that is. Life is good!!!!!
