Veteran's Day

I want to take a minute and thank all of our veterans, both past and current, for their sacrifices and service to our country. My brother finished his third tour in Iraq last week and is now home safe at Ft Drum in New York. His time at home is well deserved, having completed two 15 month tours in Iraq with only a couple of months between the two. He has a son that is a toddler, as well as a new baby daughter he had not met. I am very happy that he is home with his family.
Here is a photo of my brother Aubrey:



Our neighbor will be returning to Colorado Springs in December, following his third 15 month tour in Iraq. I wish him well during his final weeks there. He has a wife and two kids who are looking forward to his safe return. And photos of George:




I spent nearly 12 years on submarines in the US Navy as an electronics technician, reactor operater in the nuclear field, and as a US Navy Diver. Here are some photos of the two submarines I served on, the USS Memphis SSN-691 and the USS Toledo SSN-769:

Our Pride Runs Deep


USS Memphis - a photo I took topside during an emergency personnel transfer off the coast of Portugal


Uss Memphis - a couple of my shipmates (Perez and Willis) topside in St Croix, USVI


USS Memphis Underway


USS Memphis Greece


USS Memphis Greece2


USS Memphis passing throught the straights of Gibraltar. I am one of the people topside in this image...


USS Memphis Floating Drydock


USS Memphis Torpedo Loading


USS Memphis Pt Everglades Florida (Ft Lauderdale)


USS Toledo conducting Seal Team ops


USS Toledo conducting Seal Team ops


USS Toledo conducting Seal Team ops


USS Toledo Underway


USS Toledo Underway2


Here is a photo of me back in the day, and one of me now:



Tracy and I have three boys and I teach them to respect those who serve, no matter what. I also teach them to love their country, no matter what.

I wish more people would do the same.

JD