After graduating from Sarasota High School, Sarasota, Florida in June 1964 I joined the U.S. Army 6 July 1964 to be an MP. I was first sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for "Basic Training." After basic I was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia for Military Police School. While I was in MP School I volunteered to be a "Sentry Dog Handler" and was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

As a Sentry Dog Handler in the states we were only used during the night. I along with my Sentry Dog “Prince” (This was a one-man one-dog team, “no one else” could handle my dog, and I couldn’t handle any one else’s dog). We Guarded Nike- Hercules Missiles Bases that were used in defense of the Strategic Air Command, Air Force Bases, in the United States. Our dogs were trained to alert on anyone or anything that might try to enter our patrol area, and if an intruder penetrated the area the dog was trained to "Stop/Kill" the intruder.         My first duty assignment after sentry dog training was to Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, 4th Missile Battalion and 61st Artillery. The missile site was in Jeffersonville, Georgia, just south of Macon, Georgia.

I really didn’t do anything real important while I was in Vietnam. I was just there! With "The Originals" that went over in the first load of MP Army Sentry Dog Handlers. We were what turned out to be the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dogs).         Sentry Dogs and handlers were used patrol ammunition, petroleum, and supply storage areas, air craft landing areas, secret radio installation areas, and most anything else that was to be "A Secure Area."         The Vietnamese Nationals were afraid of our K-9 Partners. And the VC had a bounty on the Handler and More on the Dog!

        After I returned to the states I was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. While there I was assigned to the 21st MP Platoon in July 1966 I was an MP Game Warden.

        In December 1966 I was sent to Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah, Georgia, were I was a regular MP. I performed discipline, law and order patrol, gate duty, and was in charge of a Town Patrol Detail.

        I was Honorably Discharged from The U.S. Army on 5 July 1967.

After I was discharged from the Army, I knocked around for a while, and ended up in LaPorte, Indiana were I worked as a City Policeman. I worked there till the weather got so bad I could not stand it! (cold & snow) I returned to Sarasota, Florida were I belonged.         I joined the Florida Marine Patrol (a state police agency), after returning to Florida. The Florida Marine Patrol is/was the oldest law enforcement agency in the State of Florida. It started June 4, 1913 and is still in existence today. In 1999 the Florida Marine Patrol merged with the Florida Freshwater Fish and Game Commission and formed the Florida Wildlife Commission. The agency is a State Law Enforcement Agency.         When I was hired I was the 136 officer in the state. We patrolled over 8,600 miles of tidal shoreline. I was a Field Officer, which meant that I patrolled in a Patrol Boat most of the time! If you are a law enforcement officer it was the best job in the State of Florida.

        During my carrier as an officer I started an investigation that led to the seizure of 57.8 Tons of Marijuana (still a Florida record). I received two lives saving awards while I was an officer, but I saved 11 lives, it just wasn’t recorded back then. While I was an FMP Officer, I received Officer Of The Year Award in the state.  I was officer of the year in different counties that I worked in a couple more times.

        I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1982, then Lieutenant in 1986, and I retired at the rank of Captain in 1996.

         I have 3 children, a girl and two boys. My two oldest children are married (daughter and son) my daughter Donna & her husband, have been married for 8 years and they working for a large corporation in Orlando. She made me a grandfather in March of 2005, and My Granddaughter’s name is Madison, and she is BEATIFUL! She is 3. My oldest son Danny is a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and is stationed at in New River Marine Air Station in N.C. He is a “HUEY” Helicopter Pilot. And went back for his 4th tour in Feb. 2008. He has been married for 7 years, and has no children. On his last tour he received the Navy Marine Corp Medial for Heroism. My youngest son Kevin is in Retail Sales/ Repairs at Cell Phone store in Tampa, Fl. He is very good at what he does, he is not married! I am proud of all 3 of my children! They have made me Very Proud!

I have been married 38 years, and I am enjoying my retirement.  I live about 35 miles south of were I grew up in Sarasota, FL.          I am Very Proud to be a member of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association, and the Military Police Sentry Dog Alumni, and have been since I found the web sites 13 years ago, and joined each that day.         I am also a member of The Blue Knights XVI, Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.  A Club of Police Officers, and retired police officers, and a Member of The Fraternal Order of Police, Charlotte County Chapter #66.          I enjoy playing on the computer, and riding my 2003 “Ultra Classic” Harley-Davidson.

        I have reestablished contact via computer with some of the "212th MP Company Originals" that went to Vietnam with me in 1965. I have also established friendships by communicating and meeting with many other MP’s and Dog Handlers the same way. I would not trade their friendships for anything!

         I guess you could say, “We were once young too??”