Armand Michael Cardinal:  

My 'story?' There isn't much to tell. I dropped out of Ysleta during the fall of my senior year, ('69) and enlisted in the Navy shortly after my 17th birthday. I soon discovered both my social ineptness and problem with authority was as evident there as it was in both my father's home and school. I was offered and accepted an 'early out' w/an Honorable Discharge & all related benefits. Returning to El Paso w/discharge in hand, I felt a bit lost and burdened w/an 'itchy foot.' While I tried to return to earn my HS Diploma, I soon realized my heart wasn't in it and 'hoisted' a backpack to go out into the world w/the GED I had earned in the service. I've traveled extensively, volunteered w/the Homeless, as a medic during protests, attended various festivals, Rainbow Gatherings, Dead shows, worked farms, construction, w/horses, and as a driver. I was seriously hurt, (spinal) on-the-job while working construction on the naval base in Norfolk. After fighting in Admiralty court, I managed to have my related medical bil...Expand for more