Rick Wilson:
CLASS OF 1967
John H. Francis Polytechnic High SchoolClass of 1967
Sun valley, CA
California State University Class of 1972
Long beach, CA
Los Angeles Valley CollegeClass of 1969
Van nuys, CA
Sun Valley Middle SchoolClass of 1964
Sun valley, CA
Roscoe Elementary SchoolClass of 1961
Sun valley, CA
Rick's Story
Life
How does it feel to be retired? "GREAT" retiring as a Commander after 25 years in the Navy being on land is wonderful. Like many of our time I served in Viet Nam as a Gun Boat Officer and Advisor to the South Viet Nam Navy. We lost some of our finest to that war and should never forget any of our friends. I just retired for a second time from service for the Navy in my second life for Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet I just could not stay away from the sea. .
Most of you are wondering who I am and just can't picture me. I am the kid that had the white 1940 Ford that was quiet and not involved in any activites. I am still a flathead lover and my sons and I have rebuilt 1951,1952 and 1966 Ford pick-ups as Father and Sons projects, just as my dad and I did when there was less stress in the world.
Having been a Commanding Officer of a Destroyer I have come a long way! I did earn 17 medals and ribbons and several multi awards I finsished wiith 52 decorations.. Again retirement is wonderful....I can do things my way for a change.
So much for retiement! After my wife came down othe breast cancer and her returning to work I decided to pull out my teaching certificate and put it to use part time at the local school district. Well would't know it I liked doing it! So much so that I am now a Professor at our local Community College. Only 26-30 hours per week and every Friday off. Such is the good life, with a great wife who by the way is a survivor.
Well time marches on and I have closed my working carrer of 54 years without...Expand for more
a day between jobs or of unemployment. I am dealing wiith the great gifts from the goverement in Vietnam from several provlems from Agent Orange and PTSD amonng others......The VA is working my claims and treating me now and I am 100% disabled due to Agent Orange and tihis is what closed my love of teaching. I am a lucky man for a wonderful wife and sons making sure things work for me and pick up the slack for things I can no longer do. Well the VA has rated me at a full 100% disabled and there are two more claims outstanding. I will admit it does get to me at times. But my family makes things good. Loosing my ability to work on our old trucks and wood work has put a crimp in my life. Our oldest son is married a gal and like his dad 10 yrs. younger than him. We now have our first grand child in April a boy and really healthy.. Our youngest is working on his doctorate. We were planing to be at the big 50th but we will not be able to attend. The wonderful gift of Agentent Orange I am not able to travel any longer. I wish all of you to remeber as many of our classmates and frends we had and the good times we had,. Who knows we may run into folks here and if we get passed the the vail I am hoping to see you all then..
Flatheads forever! A great ride with alchol in the fuel mix (not in you) and flames out the side pipes. I pushed my 40 ford to 123mph at fernado drag strip and my top speed 198 in AA Fuel at Lions dragstrip. Now my ride is an electric scooter (max soeed is 20mph) and I am going to put flames on it for the good old days......Rick
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