Jerome Miranda:
CLASS OF 1961
Nesquehoning High SchoolClass of 1961
Nesquehoning, PA
Drexel University - EducationClass of 1991
Philadelphia, PA
Muhlenberg CollegeClass of 1988
Allentown, PA
Marian Catholic High SchoolClass of 1986
Tamaqua, PA
Jerome's Story
College
Started at LaSalle College in Philly (one year) and then entered US Air Force. In Air Force, continued college education at U of New Hampshire (30 more credits). Secured employement with Honeywell Information Systems and did not continue college education until 1976. Enrolled at Montgomery County Community College and then transferred to Muhlenberg College after moving to Lehighton, PA. BS in Business & Economics from Muhlenberg in 1988. Post-graduate certificate in education from Drexel University in 1991 courtesy of a special GE/Government teacher training program. Also attended Northampton County Community College (9 credits) to satisfy Pennsylvania's teacher certification requirements. Learning was almost always fun but college itself was almost always a drag (both full time and part-time/evening).
Workplace
Not worth going through all the different temporary jobs and avocations I held but some were especially enjoyable (like being a golf caddy, officiating college football, and providing security for the Philadelpia Eagles Fly for Leukemia Awards program). After the Air Force I accepted a Field Engineer position With Honeywell Information Systems installing and maintaining medium size mainframe business computers. Worked out of three locations, Trenton, Ft. Washington, PA, and Bala Cynwyd, progressing to District Manager. Approached in November of 1975 by General Electric. I accepted a position with the General Electric (GE) Aerospace Division in December as Manager of their Computer Operations in Valley Forge, PA. Met my life goal of retiring early at age 55 after over 20 years in GE management. I always believed that when it came to money, you legally take as much as you can as soon as you can. This position is ground on the undeniable fact that you have no idea when you are going to "clock out" and meet your maker. I was very fortunate during my career in that I had the pleasure to work for two outstanding managers and the absolute horror of having to make only six (6) certifiable rectums look (and smell) good.
Military
Boot camp was at Lakeland AFB in San Antonio and a real experience but made somewhat enjoyable beause I was one of the four squad leaders in my training squadron. My real training took place at Lowry AFB in Denver where, in addition to Basic Electronics, I received training in a Bombing and Navigation computer and radar system (MA-7). The Colorado assignment was the absolute best. From Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy & Pike's Peak to the great ski resorts (Telluride, Aspen, Vail, etc.) and the beautiful, Boulder City, this was a bachelor's Nirvana. After gradution from Lowry, I was assigned to Pease AFB outside of Portsmouth, NH. Eventually got certified to fly in the B47E six-jet bomber and along with flying as the "4th man", I got to participate i...Expand for more
n a Bombing competiton at Eglin AFB in Florida in 1965. We had an absolutely great crew headed by Major Robt. Phoenix, one of the best in my opinion. While at Pease, I also received an additinal year of advanced electronics training and specialized in MADREC systems and analysis. When they took our jets away, I was forced into a detail driving snow plows and snow blowers clearing runways for the B52 aircraft that replaced our antiquated bombers. From the 100th Bomb Wing, I was transferred to the 509th Bomb Wing (the group that dropped the first A-bomb on Japan). Having volunteered to go to Viet Nam, in early 1966, I received two sets of orders, one for Guam (18 months minimum) and one for Michigan (6 months minimum) when I had only 6 months left in my enlistment. I decided to accept the Michigan assignment at K. I. Sawyer AFB and extended my enlistment for one month to meet the requirements. At K. I Sawyer, I was trained on Inertial Navigation Systems on the B52-H but they refused to qualify me for flying status unless I re-enlisted. Although I received a promotion at K. I. Sawyer, it was too little too late and I was not willing to chance another four years of slow growth. In the upper peninsula of Michigan, there is little to do (few single women, isolated small towns and only one "city", Marquette) so I played a lot of fast-pitch softball, making the base All-star team, and playing in Strategic Air Command's tournament at Offut AFB in Nebraska. Joining the Air Force was one of my best decisions in life. It prepared me for my career in Electronics, Computers, and Management plus it made me a better person. I wish I could share all my special military experiences and tell of all the special people I encountered. Because I was "owned" by the military, the downside was that time was not my own so for four years and one month, I longed for the freedom and independence of civilian life. Although I made two "mistakes" during my tour, I stayed clean enough to get the Good Conduct Medal and an Honorable Discharge in October of 1966. In my not so humble opinion, everyone should be "forced" to serve in the service of our country and being a politician is not service to one's country.
I have a lot of happy memories:
My first job was at Marsden's Market on Catawissa Street, where I got paid $7.00 every two weeks to deliver almost 80 Evening Record Newspapers 6 days a week. What I remember most about it is the neat people on my route and being the only paperboy who didn't get the Asian flu. My sister helped me when I had basketball practice and my fellow newspaper "boys" were all great.
I could bore you to death with my special memories and if you are reading this, you are certainly a part of my life and the happy memories I carry with me. I would like to meet some of you again and have a "do-over" or two.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Photos