My Stories
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Losing Sight but Not Vision
There are some things in life you never imagine having to surrender. For me, one of those things was my eyesight. I was born with a rare condition called Morning Glory Syndrome, a defect of the optic nerve that had been quietly waiting in the background for most of my life. I knew my eyes…
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The Day Dad Showed Me the Ocean for the First Time
Some childhood memories fade until only little pieces remain. Others stay with us for reasons we may not fully understand until much later in life. One of my earliest and most treasured memories is of being a very little boy, walking beside my dad while holding his hand. He was taking me to see the…
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Sunday Ride in Northern Virginia
Enjoying a Sunday in Northern Virginia with my Harley—good weather, an open road, and nowhere else I needed to be. Some days are meant for simply slowing down, climbing on the bike, and enjoying the ride.
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The Key West Tour I Never Wanted to End
Key West wasn’t just another Coast Guard assignment for me—it became a place I truly loved. I served back-to-back tours there because I never wanted to leave. At the time of this photograph, I was working at Joint Task Force Four (JTF-4). Those years remain one of the most memorable chapters of my Coast Guard…
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Key West, 1995: Pedicab Duty with Mary and Laura
In 1995, while I was living in Key West, Florida, my sisters Mary and Laura came down to visit. I was working as a pedicab driver at the time—and was still on duty when we took this picture. A great memory from a colorful chapter of my life.
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A Vietnamese Ally—and a Survivor
Here I am with Thao’s father, a former officer in the South Vietnamese Army. He fought alongside American forces against communist North Vietnam. Captured in 1974, he endured years of imprisonment, brutal confinement, and beatings. His children were later barred from attending public school. In recognition of his service, the United States eventually allowed him…