Dale Miller:  

Life Although I was a part of the graduating class of 1972 I graduated in January of '72. Having satisfied all my requirements I couldn't think of ANY reason that I wanted to continue to hang around. Because I was one of those kids that started school early (my birthday was in September) I was only 17 when I graduated. I was working at Smitty's Big Town in the produce dept at the time and they would work me just enough hours to keep me from being full time and getting any benefits. Being 17 meant that I couldn't get into any of the unions to find a better paying job and I didn't have the money to go to college. So, I decided to do what my brother had done the year before and go into the Air Force. I went into the Air Force in April of '72 and went to San Antonio, Texas for Basic Training. I was pleasantly surprised how easily I fit into the military life. Truth be known it was a lot easier than living at home. When I left Basic I went to a Technical Training School in San Angelo, Texas for Security Service as a Communications Analyst. The civilian equivalent for the job would be working for NSA. As I looked at the career opportunities in that field I decided that I wanted to go another direction and learn a trade that I could use after getting out of the Air Force. So, I asked for a transfer and at my new assignment I began learning how to be an electrician. The most significant thing that happened when I was in San Angelo though was that, for the first time in my life, I came to know what it was to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I had always known about Him and believed in Him but, there I actually got to know Him when I asked Him to come into my life and take control. I was transferred to Wilmington, NC to Fort Fisher an Air Force Radar Site. There I learned how to be a journeyman electrician and saw the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time. I was stationed there for two years and was then transferred to Charleston, SC to another Radar Station. While in Charleston I got married to my wife Jenese whom I had met at church while I was in Wilmington. On our first anniversary we found out that my wife was pregnant with our first child. Dawn was born in May a month after I got out of the Air Force in Wilmington where we returned after getting out. Thirteen months later Kellie our second daughter was born and three years later Amber our third daughter (and last child) was born. After leaving the Air Force I worked in electrical construction for a little over a year and then went to work for DuPont where we made polyester yarn. After five years I was going to be laid off and God opened an opportunity for me to work for Carolina Power and Light at their nuclear plant in Southport, NC which is about 45 minutes from Wilmington. For five years I worked as a construction electrician and safety pers...Expand for more