Mark Sword

Since graduation I haven't done too much. As I looked at some of the other profiles, some of you have done really well for yourselves and I thought to myself how great that was and how glad I was to see how many have succeeded in their lives. I was blown away by how many became teachers. I think that is so great.
I tried the college thing at John A. Logan, but that didn't work for me. So due to a few bad decisions I decided I had to leave. I moved to Bismarck, ND, had friends of the family up there, in the Summer of 1993. Stayed there until September 1994 when I decided it was time that I did something with my life. I thought at the time that becoming a firefighter would be the way to go so I made a phone call and ended beoming a fireman. I know what you are thinking, it wasn't that type of fireman, it was through the Navy. I went to boot camp in October, 1994. Left Great Lakes, IL. after freezing to death during the winter months. Not a good place to be in December and January. After completing boot camp and some extra training in January.
I reported to the USS Elrod in February of 1995. I remember that day very vividly. I arrived about 11:00 P.M. in Charaleston, S.C. and the first conversation I had was with the quarterdeck watches. That conversation was "Do you smoke? no Do you drink? no We have a designated driver." Upon arrival I found out that the ship was in the middle of drills, which ment we were out for the week and in on the weekend. The first time out, we hit 13 to 15 foot seas. That was a whole new expierence. I spent almost 4 years on board. I got to see a few places like St. Martin (Carribeam), Peurto Rico, Spain, Italy, Greece, Island of Gibralter, Kuwait, and probably more that I can't think of off the top of my head.
I left the ship January, 1999 and went to school to learn how to weld. I spent 5 months in Great Lakes again, fighting the cold weather.
After school, I transfered to Groton, CT in May, 1999 and worked on nuclear submarines. I started welding and then became the second shift supervisor. I have a lot of good memories of that place. The one that stands out is working along side the civilians. When I first took over, I met tis guy Walt, one of the welders and learned quite a bit from him. Our shift started at 2:00 P.M. and if we were there past 5:00 P.M., it was a late night. I would meet him at his house and then we would go to the marina where his boat was moored and would take some evening cruises. Had a lot of good times there.
I met my wife in November, 1996 and have been together ever since. Walt was the best man at our wedding in August, 2000. My wife works in Suffolk, Va at Suffolk Legal Aide. She is now the Senior Attorney.
I got out of the Navy September, 2001 and and started work at Tecnico Corp. in October, 2001. I started out as a welder and July, 2002, I was brought into the Safety department. I have been there ever since.
In this time I have recieved an Associates degree in Industrial specializing in occupational safety. I plan to go to Old Dominion Unversity in Norfolk, VA in the spring of 2009 and work on a bachelors degree. I just haven't decided in what yet. But, I will make chemistry my minor. I plan to work on becoming a Marine Chemist. And now you are up to date with where I'm at.
Anything else you want to know about me, just ask.

I really don't have too many high school stories. I mainly kept to myself.