Veronica (Rocki) Rothacker:  

My kids tell me I don't stroll down Memory Lane. Its more like an all-day hike (picture two, now adult, boys rolling their eyes). I enjoy sharing with them so they will know (and hopefully understand) what life was like in the "dark ages", before the Internet, color TV, video games and ice-makers in the freezer doors and other luxuries they take for granted. Since we've all been there together already, I won't dwell on ancient history with you. Well, maybe just a little. I had a good childhood, friends and always had something to do, much of it outdoors. I attended a Catholic grade school and public high school where I did very well and graduated with honors. During high school I worked at a Volkswagen dealership as a receptionist. I also made many a sundae and ice cream cake at a local Carvel Ice Cream Shop. After high school I worked full time as a bookkeeper. 4 years later I decided to attend the local community college full time and worked as an auto vinyl roof installer, retail cashier, bookkeeper, sold shoes, and was a delivery vehicle driver between classes. I finally graduated with an AS in Business Administration. I found Mr. Right around the corner at my neighbor's house. He is her brother. We were married in 1983. We planned to work and raise a family in NJ, staying close to home and our families. How naive of me to think that life was going to be so structured and go as I had planned! I'm glad I was so wrong! The Navy became our lifestyle when John rejoined as a nurse. My husband John and I managed to successfully raise 2 sons, Ryan and Jeremy. What I have learned from my boys is to expect the unexpected. Ryan amazes me with how handy he is to have around. He is creative and artistic, which he gets from me! Jeremy keeps us laughing almost daily with his antics. The kid could be a great stand-up comedian. Both are now grown and living on their own, . Our first tour of duty took us to Naval Hospital Oakland, CA. After that we've lived in Puerto Rico, Orlando, FL, Beaufort, SC, Yucca Valley, CA, Guam, San Diego, and we moved to Okinawa, Japan Feb. 2010, where we were till October 2014 when my husband retired. Being the "dependent spouse", as the military likes to refer to us as, I've had to find employment wherever we've lived. Some jobs were interesting, some not so much. I've been a healthcare coordinator, bookkeeper, worked in a music store selling sheet music and instruments and taking piano lessons, was a substitute teacher, hospital unit secretary, administrative assistant, receptionist, school clerical office worker, and my favorite, which I got back to in Okinawa, a Human Resources Technician, where I've found my niche. If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have friendly people around me, fun, and laughter to be able to deal with the day-to-day. Again, the fun factor--If its no longer fun to work there, its time to leave. All this may sound confusing but if I were to do it all over again--the military lifestyle, moving, new jobs, etc.--I would in a heartbeat. What I've experienced, learned and seen about other countries and cultures you just can't get from a book. If I read about any of it in my grade school Geography book, I certainly had forgotten it all. It is actually quite exciting to discover what a new location has to offer. I have favorite things at each duty station, so I couldn't even tell you where my favorite place is. Imagine spending an hour at sunset swinging on a bench swing at a park on the waterfront (SC) or watching the space shuttle or Delta rockets rise into the sky from your back porch (FL). How about relaxing on beautiful sandy beaches without driving more than 20 minutes from your house (Puerto Rico and Guam)? Desert living grows on you, I've learned (CA). Maybe tasting and enjoying new foods and cultures is to your liking (everywhere). I've truly expanded my horizons. While living in Puerto Rico, we were able to t...Expand for more