Daniel Dunlap:
CLASS OF 1998
Columbia River High SchoolClass of 1998
Vancouver, WA
Lewis & Clark High SchoolClass of 1999
Vancouver, WA
Gaiser Middle SchoolClass of 1994
Vancouver, WA
Fircrest Elementary SchoolClass of 1992
Vancouver, WA
Peralta Elementary SchoolClass of 1990
Peralta, NM
Daniel's Story
Life
Well, everyone who knows me should remember that I actually didn't graduate from River. That Sept., after my senior year in 98, I enrolled at Lewis and Clark high school to finish out CWP, which I flunked the entire senior year. I did a semester through a correspondence course, and a semester through the school in 2 weeks.
I left for Navy Boot camp in Great Lakes IL on November 12, 1998. After Boot camp, the first stop was Aviation Electronics Technician school (AT) at NATTC Pensacola, Florida. Due to my poor math skills, I was academically dropped and reclassified to be an Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM).
After AM school, I was sent to Lemoore, CA for "C" school for F/A-18's. I was then assigned to VFA-195, F/A 18 C's, based at NAF Atsugi, Japan in Dec. of 99. The base is about 1 1/2 hours away from Tokyo by train. I went to sea aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, an aircraft carrier, and have seen such ports as Hong Kong, Pattya Beach Thailand, Sapporo Japan, Pusan Korea, Sydney Australia, Freemantle Australia, and Singapore.
I participated in Iraqi Freedom, where I was aboard the USS Kitty Hawk,CV-63, positioned in the Arabian gulf during the conflict. We were under way for 105 straight days without a port visit by the time we returned to Japan.
If you look at some of my pics, you can see that I have a half sleeve tattoo on the left arm and just one tat on the right. My first one was done in Guam back in 01, and the sleeve was done in 2003. I haven't added any since, just looking for that right inspiration.
After 4 years with VFA-195, I changed squadrons and planes. I went to work on the Super Hornet, F/A-18F with VFA-102, for 2 years, still based in Japan.
I was married Jan. 28, 2005 to my long time fiance Jenalin, a Philippine woman whom I met while stationed in Japan. We divorced in 2012.
In April of 2006, I transferred to San Diego, CA, for 3 years of shore duty with NRSW TPU. After this ended, I took a tour in Iraq working at a detention facility. I transferred to HSC-6 in 2010, where after 14 years in the Navy, I was high year tenured and ended my naval career as an AM2 (E-5).
I graduated from the national personal training institute and spent 7 years in the fitness industry. Due to covid I decided to change careers and am currently attending college for the first time at grossmont community college. My hope is to become a respiratory therapist once my prerequisites are done.
I recently just got divorced, again. Hopefully there will not be a third time.
While getting ready for Iraq, I was introduced to the martial art of Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu Jitsu. This has now become a lifelong passion and hobby. I am currently ranked as a purple belt.
If you want to contact me please send me a message here at classmates. Also, please leave your na...Expand for more
me in the guest book here at classmates.
Dan "The Man" Dunlap
School
Those of us who were there will never forget that we were apart of the glory years of the CRHS Marching Band. All who come after, check the trophy case. Yes, I was there.
Anyone remember my "falling" reputation? Lets start on the list.
Fall 94's "Grants Pass", my first fall. Then there was the 96' finals performance at Everett when I ate astro turf. 96' home coming game, when I slipped and fell and stayed down for 7 counts while trying to get back up out of the mud. 97' Evergreen band competition. That was the week I had fallen off of my bike and had my chin bandaged up. I managed to trip over a painted yard line that evening and fall into the mud. Right after, I hit the rope that separated the bands in the Evergreen gym and flipped over. Any other time I stepped onto the field, wet or dry, dig deep into your memories, and you will laugh.
What else, oh, when I had to drop traffic safety junior year because I was arrested for pot possession.
My "first time" at 17. Enough said.
The best year in band had to be junior year. The camaraderie of our group will always be remembered.
The 80's sadies dance incident that led to the sheriff ringing my door bell the next day will always have special place in my heart.
The saddest moment was when everyone in band was rehearsing ''Pomp and Circumstance" for senior graduation and knowing that I wasn't going to be there.
Workplace
Well, I worked at the Salmon Creek Burger Ville from July 96-Sept 98. The memories that jump out at me are the 2+ times that I seranaded the guests with a flute performance. I cannot believe I did that. What else, oh, Manager Mikes craziness, grubbing food as fast as we could when the manager would go to the bank on sunday morning, the drama of work relationships, and 4th of July rushes when everyone was going home after the Fort fireworks. Funny thing is, BV is still my favorite fast food. One of the highlights of going home on leave is getting a tillamook cheeseburger with xtra spread. You really appreciate the little things from back home, especially after getting stationed overseas. Well, if I worked with you during that time, drop me a line.
Dan
Military
If you think the south pacific is hot, try an aircraft carrier with the hangar bay doors closed at night. When I was over in Japan, I accumulated just over 2 years at sea time. That averages about 4 months a year. I have some good memories, from seeing Sydney for the first time to coming home after 105 days straight at sea with no port stops at the end of Iraqi freedom.
I guarded detainee's in Iraq for 7 months. This is a tour of duty that is both memorable and eye opening. I always said I wouldn't go, but in retrospect, it helped change my life.
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