Thomas Saul:  

Life '... a lot of water has gone over the dam' between THEN and NOW. THEN: I attended 3 different High Schools in various States. I joined the Army, and went to Germany. There I married, and returned to the States (Michigan) with a wife and a beautiful daughter. In '68 I joined the Michigan Nat'l Guard. I went to school on the GI Bill - Computer Programming. After graduation in 1969, we went East (Philadelphia). I got into computer operations. We moved to New Jersey, and my 2nd adorable daughter was born in August, 1972. Using my GI Bill, I attended the local community college. In May 1973, I immigrated to Germany. A new life began: My computer career progressed with leaps & bounds. I worked for various German and American companies. I performed interesting data processing tasks in Germany and elsewhere. In 1981, I went hang-gliding. A mistake - I crashed! I was really messed-up. I'm lucky I didn't end-up paraplegic, or dead. After the accident, and months of rehabilitation, I performed various jobs and lastly worked for a large international software house as a Technical Writer. NOW: I'm retired. I've been collecting both; my U.S. 'Disability' Social Security, and my German 'early retirement' payments since 2004. I have trivial heart problems. But, I smoked 35 years, and my major problem is; 'Emphysema'. I need oxygen whenever I physically exert myself (i.e. walking, climbing stairs, etc.), it's a real pain in the ass! All in all, my life in Germany is good. I live quite contentedly here. I have a wonderful wife, and two lovely daughters who gave me three marvelous grandchildren (two girls, and a boy). I love them dearly; they are precious gifts! To top it off, retirement is GREAT! (Next: see school) School I was born and grew-up in New Jersey until the end of my sophomore year in High School. In 1960, growing-up and education suddenly changed - I was uprooted. My four years of High School took place at various schools, in three different States. After Graduation in 1962 I returned to New Jersey. Jersey was home, but I just didn't fit-in anymore. In August, 1962 I joined the Army. (see: military) Military On August 8, 1962 I enlisted in the Army. I was in 'Military Intelligence', a contradiction in terms. I was with the '513th Intelligence Corps Group'; responsible for the entire geographical area of Germany. There I met and married 'Eleonore' in 1965. Our 1st daughter 'Selena' was born in Germany. In January 1966, I returned to the United States as an E-5, and was 'Honorably' discharged in February of that year. Initially, we lived with my parents in Michigan. I was considering going back into the Army, but I needed to keep my rank. In 1968, I joined the Michigan Nat'l Guard. I was a member of 'F Company', an Airborne LRRP Unit with the 425th Infantry Division. I was a Patrol Leader; responsible for a 5-man team. (see: workplace) Workplace After getting out of the Army, I worked for an airlines at Detro...Expand for more