Roger Ordona:
CLASS OF 1966
St. Augustine High SchoolClass of 1966
San diego, CA
Roger's Story
I'm married to Susan, have one adult son Andrew; I attended St. Augustine High School and San Diego State University (SDSU). After graduating from SDSU I joined US Army, I applied & attended Officer Candidate School (OCS). I was subsequently commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Armor (Tank Corps), I was then stationed in West Germany, where I met my wife Susan. Stateside was stationed at Ft Ord CA, Aberdeen APG MD, Ft Benning GA, Ft Knox KY and Ft Riley KS; attended graduate school at Kansas State University.
Positions served: tank platoon leader, tank company commander, supply officer, personnel officer, Battalion Maintenance officer, Force Modernization officer, Training officer and Plans & Operations officer. Left US Army as a Captain.
Attended Coleman University. Worked at General Motors Technical Center, Warren MI; recently worked for AT&T, in Ft Worth TX, now retired from AT&T and reside in Crowley Tx (suburb of Ft Worth). Ham amateur radio license KG5ZJB
Roger likes includes plays Classical Guitar, Martial Arts, and fishing; also a NRA certified instructor, certified gunsmith and reloader. Enjoy building AR15’s and finding the perfect ballistic load. Favorite movies Saving Private Ryan.; The Longest Day, and A Bridge Too Far.
More about Roger: my LT-O profile pic is my 50-50 pic; 50 years earlier and 50 lbs lighter, shows me LT-O in BOQ, later became known as Captain Ordeal (a not flattering take on my last name, my lieutenants thought I made an ordeal out of everything); interests - martial arts, especially Filipino stick fighting, and play Classical Guitar...favorites Concierto da Aranjuez (Robo Cop 2014), Classical Gas, the City of New Orleans, the Entertainer (from the movie “The Sting”), and Dueling Banjos. Although lately I love playing “Guantanamera.” I can’t stop playing it. It’s a pre-Castro folk song. It is still the Cubans favorite folk song and had been recorded by many musical groups. It’s about a Cuban’s very humble but hopeful island life.
Enjoy studying military tactics. Miss fishing for tuna in San Diego. Active E Trader.
With the free of expression on the web, there has been and continues to be much criticism of the USA. Yes it’s not a perfect country but it’s better than most, I consider it the best country. This country allowed me, born in this country of Filipino immigrants to get a college education, earn a commission in the US Army, rise to the rank of captain, and have the honor and privilege of commanding US troops in the field.
After the military I was able to continue my technical education enabling me to obtain employment in a technical field and later retire comfortably. I’m not well off, but am enjoying a retired life that Is adequate and satisfying. That is something my forebears could only dream of.
I have traveled abroad in the military and even met with escapees from Communist Block Countries. They freely admit it was worth the risk of imprisonment to cross over to a free country. So all you that are hypocritical of this country (Kaepernick, AOC) you are free to go to the “Workers Paradise.” They will welcome you with open arms. But be aware that most of those that chose to leave, later wanted back. Favorite quote “Don’t criticize what you can’t understand.” Bob Dylan
Update: Recently retired from AT&T. So now everyday is "easy like Sunday morning'.
23 April 2022
Addendum: For most of us It’s been quite awhile since we graduated from high school. I graduated from St Augustine HS a Cafholic HS (1966) in San Diego.,CA. My parents sacrificed dearly to send me to a Catholic high school. Was their sacrifice worth it?
We’ve all had a chance to test the values we learned.
In high school & college I was a liberal, but my life experience has reversed that. I’m now solidly Christian Conservative.
We all have different experiences and our views reflect that. Within my own family of 13 siblings there are both liberals & conservatives. It’s a free country so it’s ok to be either one or even apolitical. It’s why many of us put on the military uniform to keep us free to choose.
What I don’t understand is why most on this web site don’t express their opinion. What are you afraid of?
Do you not believe in your values whet...Expand for more
her they be Christian conservative or otherwise. I rarely see photos or read any opinions of their lives.
Why don’t you let us all know how you’ve been. We’re you in the military? Have you had a life changing experience? What schools did you attend? Where do you live? How is your family? Let us know your trials and tribulations. We’d all like to know.
Its Christmas 2022. Its projected to be the coldest winter in Europe in over 40 years. I endured 3 cold European winters back 40 years ago. Yes it was bitter cold.. We guarded a NATO ammo dump one of those cold Christmases. The big threat back then was the “Red Brigades.” It was rumored that they would seize NATO demolitions; particularly an ADM (atomic demolitions) and threaten to detonate it in a major city. It never happened but we took the threat very seriously . Security was doubled with active armed patrols. My platoon took turns guarding
a NATO ammo dump. Even though I was the OIC (officer in charge) I still had to endure the cold with my men. Tensions were high back then.between NATO and the Eastern Block countries, but we all survived and no fire fights.. At least we didn’t have to fight an enemy too like the 101 Airborne guys did at Bastogne in the Christmas’s of 1944. We all should be thankful for the sacrifices they made.. I got to admit it’s a special kind of misery being a lonely GI enduring a cold winter Christmas far away from home. Nonetheless, peace on earth and good will to all.
Reflecting on adolescence
Adolescence Is a stage which we must all get by. Unfortunately there will always be a few that will become petty tyrants that think they must pass judgment on your looks, skin color, race, clothes or even your name. Fortunately many of the tyrants later realize it was a waste of time and effort; by the time they reach their senior year they are in the catch-up mode and started hitting the books. Some though never do realize the futility because their sports heroics carry them beyond high school. However it sputters out in the adult business world unless they have a big boss parent or relative to guides them. It’s an imperfect world that’s constantly evolving that has enough joy and suffering for all. There is no getting around it.
It is January 6, 2023
“Three Kings Day” or the Epiphany. Perhaps is the true Christmas Day to celebrate peace and giving love to friends and foes. Realistically will it change the world?
Just as there will always be play ground bullies there will always be bully nations & tyrants. The latter think they can acquire anything they want thru aggression. In the modern era, the Free World has looked upon the USA to intercede. Which we have done at great expense. This role however burdensome is not likely to change in the near future.
The PRC’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin are the latest ones to emerge onto the world stage as aggressors. To them Taiwan and Ukraine are with in their grasp. Will it stop there? Will they exceed their predecessors Mao & Stalin in the world turbulence they caused? Will the Free World check their aggression. What Free World leader is up the the task of leading it? Joe Biden? Boris Johnson?
Like it or not it’s a violent world out there. Can there be peace thru concession or peace thru strength? Your vote in the 2024 national election will answer that question.
Peace thru negotiation is best. In that situation both sides negotiate peace thru strength. Both sides can inflict untold destruction and destroy the world. Both sides recognize each others strength and the futility of assured mutual destruction. Both can can reduce tensions by standing down and lowering DEFCON status. Both sides save face and peace is maintained.
Let the a people of Taiwan &Ukraine decide their fate not Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin.
I’m hearing impaired so I don’t watch a lot of TV. I read a lot more. Currently reading Tom Clancy novels. Really enjoy them. Keeps my mind active.
This profile is way too long. Instead I’ll keep adding notes about my view of the world. Not that I’m anything special but my experience has allowed me to have a different perspective. Please feel free to comment. That way I know I’m not a voice crying out in the wilderness.
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