As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are a tribute to the men and women whose commitment to duty reflects the maritime heritage at the heart of Windjammer Days and the deep appreciation of our community. Unfortunately not all current or former Navy service members in the area can be individually featured. To have a Navy veteran or active-duty member mentioned on the Windjammer Days webpage, please email Friends of Windjammers (www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org). Please include name and rank. 

I wasn't exactly inspired to join the Navy. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and didn't want to spend a lot of money at college to find out.

I enlisted right after high school graduation in 1978 at 18 years old but didn't go to boot camp (in Orlando) until Jan. 1 of 1979. Life was great back then. I actually enjoyed boot camp, for the most part. I was my first time in Florida, and it was nice and warm. It was a big culture shock, as I was coming from a very small town in Pennsylvania to all the diversity of the Navy. I really liked (and still do), the differences in the people from other areas of the country.

I had the best job in the Navy. I was a photographers mate and at the time I went to "A" school it was one of the best in the world. The school was in Pensacola, where the Blue Angels train, and we saw them every day. I went from school to Washington, D.C., then transferred to NAS Brunswick, VP-26. We deployed to Rota,Spain, Keflavik, Iceland, and Bermuda. Each deployment was five months long. I got to see Scotland, Portugal and Holland also. I then transferred back to D.C. I finished my Navy time there as an admiral's photographer and separated in March of 1988 because I wanted to raise my family. My favorite time in the Navy was the five months in Spain. I got SCUBA qualified, spent a lot of time at the beach and really enjoyed the culture.

I learned so much from being in the Navy. I learned responsibility, and dependability (qualities that my parents taught me, but were reenforced in the Navy). I met so many interesting people, many of whom showed me a different perspective on the way they thought and acted. The Navy also brought me to Brunswick where I met my wife Lois and we had our two kids right here at St. Andrews Hospital.

My advice to anyone who is contemplating joining the armed forces would be: 1) If you want a trade, it is a great place to learn one. 2) If you want to further your education, they will pay a lot of it. 3) If you want to have a career, become an officer. The benefits between officer and enlisted are huge. 4) If you do join, enjoy it.