Salvatore Jimenez:  

Life I enlisted in the Navy in January of '76 but did not leave till October. I spent the next 21 years on active duty, visited 25 countries and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. I have no regrets and if I had to live my life over again I would be part of the United States Navy. I learned so much about life in the Navy, learned how to work under pressure and saw how that could bring out the best in people. We who joined back in the '70s were often the scum of the earth but somehow we managed to play a major role in the downfall of the Soviet Union without starting World War Three. With the fall of Communism, I decided to leave the Navy; I had no idea that 9/11 would happen. I tried to get back in but I guess they needed younger people with different skills. I left the Navy and got a job in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. It was a good job and I had a nice little house but you never know about life. Things with my wife of 16 years did not work out and we went our separate ways. I needed big change in my life and it happened. Met the most lovely, caring and adorable woman ever and we started a new life. We did not have much and life was hard for a while; what better way to find out if someone loves you. We struggled, fought and strived together; us against the world. Persistance pays and eventually I got my dream job in Japan. Still working for the Navy, I was able to get a position that is a GSE 14 level (on the same level as a Commander or LT Colonel). I am actively supporting the Navy in the Global War on Terror and helping to contain the growing threat in North Korea. We love living in Japan because it gives us an increased opportunity for travel in Asia and because it will provide me with a better life in retirement. I thank God every day for my Wife, kids, job and health and hope that this will be a long ride. School I got to Duluth at a hard time in my life; I had just lost my parents and moved from California. I never really had a chance to enjoy Denfeld the way most of my Classmates did but I feel fortunate to have been there. My mother, Julia Puglisi was a Denfeld graduate (Class of '43) and it made me feel good to walk the same hallways and sit in the same classes that she was in back in her day; it made me feel close to her in my loss. My older Cousin and his wife took my sister Anna and I into their family and were a very devoted family to their church. I never really felt that I fit in during High School and I only dreamed of a way to get out of Duluth. It was not that I hated it, I just wanted to roam the world and explore new and wonderful places. I guess that the silver lining was that I had nothing to hold ...Expand for more