I was born on in 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was licensed and received my ticket in 1970 shortly before I graduated High School. I was looking forward to going to college at the University of Cincinnati when, surprise, I got drafted by the Army.
I completed basic training at Fort Dix New Jersey and was assigned to the Signal Corps which was located at Fort Monmouth New Jersey. After I completed Advanced Individual Training, I received my orders for Vietnam. I was assigned to work near the Cambodia Border and helped setup the MARS station as well as serving in the field as an RTO (radiotelephone officer).
My rank was Specialist 3 and when not in the field I ran telephone patches for the soldiers to call home. It was mostly a positive experience for me until a friend from Cincinnati (Charles Robert Cunningham) was killed right in front of me, under circumstances where I felt responsible for his death. I underwent counseling and electroshock therapy treatments in the early 1970’s.
When I arrived home from service, I was able to complete my education at the University of Cincinnati and received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Social Work. Completing my education was the only positive benefit from my Army experience.
In 1980, my first transceiver was a Yaesu FT-301 and I began my service in Army MARS at the same time. Serving others in the field of Social Work helped to heal my own psychological wounds and I completed over 34 years of service including 4 years of Military time.
As a public employee in the field of Social Work I worked with three very difficult populations: the developmentally disabled, juvenile delinquents and finally my favorite group, the mentally ill. I retired in 2010 and I continued to do volunteer social work for the Catholic Church after I retired. Notice I said volunteer, which means the Church did not pay me any wages. On May 14th of 2014 the Knights of Columbus selected me to be honored for my service as a social worker and my short time as a Vietnam Veteran. Their recognition included a trip to Lourdes, France at no expense to me, where I will celebrate my 68th birthday.
It has been an eventful life and I am proud to serve others.
I have one daughter Jessica Marie Myser who married in 2004 and has two sons for me to spoil. I am thankful for my spouse of 40 years, Joan, whom I think deserves a medal for putting up with me and I am thankful for my daughter for providing me two grandsons.
The highlight of my ham radio career occurred in May 1988 and May 1989. I had the pleasure and honor of operating from Fort Detrick Maryland near Baltimore during the weekend of Armed Forces Day.
This biography is what appeared in Solid Copy when the member joined CWops.