Edward Di Buono:  

Well, where do I start? I left Harrison in 1974 and enlisted in the Air Force. I loved every minute of it. I stayed in for 20 years and had 4 years inactive reserve. I retired as a Master Sergeant. I was a firefighter for a total of 8 years, taught at the 22 Air Force Non Commissioned Officers Leadership School, The Strategic Air Command Professional Military Education Center, and Air Combat Camera. I concluded my career by being selected as the first enlisted facilitator at the Air Force Quality Institute at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base. I graduated from the Strategic Air Command Non Commissioned Officer Academy as a Distinguished Graduate. I also received the Military Science Award, the Communication Skills Award and the Drill Award. I was selected as the 22nd Air Force Professional Military Education Instructor of the year in 1987 and 1988. I was selected as the Military Airlift Command and the United States Air Force Professional Military Instructor of the year in 1988. I received an on the spot (STEP) promotion from the 4 star general and Commander of Military Airlift Command in 1989 (One of only four that year.) I traveled the world performing different missions in Germany, Italy, England, France, Greece, Guam, Philippines, Korea, Japan, Panama, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai (UAE). When I retired I went to work for the Non Commissioned Officers Association and worked in Germany for almost 2 years. It was a great experience because my daughter got to live in Europe. I returned to Harrison in 2000. I Married very young (21) and have a beautiful daughter; Christina Marie. She is such a great woman. I am so proud of her. She is the real American success story. She is everything a father could ask for and more. She is level headed and unlike her dad she can spot a phony from a mile away. She is an elementary school Special Ed teacher. She serves on many special committees around the country developing and researching new teaching techniques and curriculum for special needs children. She lives in Omaha, NE. She has a great husband. Her mom and I divorced in 1996. I married an old high school friend and unfortunately that marriage was just a thing that dreams are made of. I had a very serious heart attack 08/06. Bypass, difib/pacemaker. Now my life is REAL good. I have three wonderful grandson's: Jaxon Daniel who was born on August 22, 2008 (On my father's birthday.), Vincent Carmichael and Carmine Edward. I'm so thrilled. I just can't believe I have four grandchildren. My grand daughter EvaMarie was born June 29, 2015. I played hard most of my life. But was, and still am a soft touch. I love my friends and I guess you could say I'm loyal to a fault. I saw the world, both good and bad. Wouldn't change a single thing. Nothing. Not even the aggravation and poor choices. Each mistake or bad choice has brought me to a great place. I'm at peace for the first time since the night I arrived at Lackland A.F.B. to enter basic training. I knew at that moment that I had finally found a real family. The men and woman of the United States Air Force became the family I needed so very desperately. I guess there is one thing I would like to have changed. I would never have started smoking. Dumb! Even though I stopped over 10 years ago it was so stupid! I love to ride my motorcycle. After 30 years of not being on a bike I started riding three weeks before my heart attack. I tr...Expand for more