Don Duenas:
CLASS OF 1986
Independence High SchoolClass of 1986
San jose, CA
Don's Story
Life
I've been living in Manteca since July 2000. Love it! I joined the Army right after high school. So I spent time away from Cali for a few years. It was the some of the best years of my life. I've been married for over 5 1/2 years. I have 3 beautiful children, 2 boys and 1 girl. Started to lift weights as a freshman and off and on have been hitting the gym for 23 years. My senior year I was benching less then 225lbs. I lift around 405 to 420lbs now. My wife thinks I'm crazy to do it. I'm no bodybuilder but try to keep in sometype of shape... My parents were right, the older you get the harder it gets!
School
I remember trying to be the class clown, I remember getting in trouble for it too! I do miss those days.
College
After IHS, I did some college courses offered by my Army unit. Did not quit finish. Trying to juggle a military life and school was a little hard. My particular job had me in the field over 100 days a year so not too much time to hit the books.
Workplace
After the Army, I started into the electronic industry. I went from a start up in San Jose to a big corporation in Milpitas. I held positions from Shipping and Receiving to Program Mana...Expand for more
gement. It was ok, the money was good and I learned alot. After 10 years, I got layed off in 2001, went to another start up but that did not last. After trying a hand as a Loan officer, I landed a federal job in Tracy, California. It's pretty cool. Being ex-Army, it's my way of helping my fellow Brothers and Sisters in arms. I've been there since 2003. It's the most satisfying job I've ever had (except Great America LOL )!
Military
I went into the Army 2 months after graduation. I went to Basic training (boot camp) at Fort Sill Oklahoma. I was there from August thru November 1986. Let me tell you, it was hoooooott. I think it never got below 105 during the summer. The Drill Sargents had to douse us with a waterhose every 30 minutes. After that I was stationed in Germany from 1986 until the end of my enlistment, which was 1989. I was a Cannon Crewman, I got to shot some BIIIIG guns. It was one of the best years of my life. I meet some good people! I got to see parts of the world that I only read in books and saw on tv. It was COOOOOOLLLL! But there's no place like home. I played football for two years while I was there. I played Defensive Tackle and Defensive end.
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