thought I'd knock and say hello ...

Hello everyone. My name is Mike and I'm new to this forum. I'm 42, married with 3 kids, and I live near Philadelphia, PA. I retired from the US Navy about 2 years ago (served from 1988-2008). I did my 20 and then got out. I was an Aerographer's Mate while in the service which is just fancy lingo for a weather forecaster or a weather guesser depending upon your opinion. I guess one could say that almost half of my life was spent in the military and it was quite an eye opening experience.

I went in as John Rambo yet came out singing John Lennon. Who knew that would happen? Not I. I served in the Gulf War, the NATO war in Kosovo and was deployed twice to Iraq. I feel I've done my time and then some.

I've seen both good and bad during my time there but toward the end of it, I realized that travel had definitely broadened my mind and it did. I'm not a typical sailor. When we hit port I didn't head for the bars, I went into town and got to know the people who lived there. The world is the best university one can be a part of and I soon learned that much of what I thought I believed in was false. I discovered that I no longer agreed with much that the military, or my political leaders, did. When I got out, I got involved with Iraq Veterans against the War and with the Obama campaign. I gave 3 speeches in favor of his candidacy and I spoke out against the War in Iraq (which cost me the friendship of several of my shipmates and I got booed by members of the VFW but when you believe in something strong enough, you do it and stand by it--- somebody from the 60s taught me that (my parents)).

I enjoy writing and I can semi-play a harmonica. My wife and I enjoy camping and being outdoors. I've recently taken up the practice of yoga which I find to be very relaxing. I love the game of baseball (I'm just not enamored of it's overpaid athletes) and I am always listening to music (mostly from the 1960s, naturally).

Well, now that I've taken up quite a bit of your time, I'll just step down from my soapbox. It's a pleasure finding this group and I'm looking forward to making some new friends.

best regards,
Mike

 

Hey Mike, welcome

Hope you have fun here! It's a pretty cool place.

 

Hey Mike, Welcome to the forums!!!
:cheers2:enjoy

 

I love the pic of bob marley. One of my all time favorite musicians