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I graduated from Princeton High School, but I went to Mount View until the end of my junior year. I joined the Navy in November 1989. After boot camp, I went to my first ship, the USS Grasp, which was stationed in Little Creek, VA. I did two six-month deployments in the Mediterranean Sea where I saw a lot of great ports; Italy, Spain, France and Turkey.
After five years on the ship, I moved north to Annapolis MD, where I was stationed at the US Naval Academy. At the Naval Academy I was attached to a 108 ft Yard Patrol Craft. I served as Chief Engineer and supported the training of and mentored future naval officers.
After the three year shore tour, I continued north where I was stationed on the USS Arctic out of Earle NJ. I served on the ship for four years and conducted two six-month deployments in the Persian Gulf. I did not get to see a lot of land or port visits during this cruise; normally the ships are at sea for 45 days before entering port for a few days.
From there, I moved back south to Norfolk, VA where I met my wonderful wife, Susan and her daughter Megan. We were married in March of 2006. My son, Curtis, is a freshman at a community college in NJ and he is studying to be a radiology technician. My last ship was the USS Monterey where I served as main propulsion assistant for three and half years and conducted one six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf. I got to see a few ports, Bahrain, Greece, Scotland, Aruba, Crete and Spain.
From there, I was transferred to my current address of Portsmouth RI. Here, I am an instructor teaching advanced gas turbine, diesel and steam propulsion to future chief engineers. I will be retiring in September 2009 and moving back to Princeton, WV. I hope to see you all at the reunion.