Joseph Mays:  

I grew up in Roanoke, Virgina. I went to William Fleming Senior High School from 1979 to 1982. I didn't get to take Vocational courses because I was trying to catch up on math I was missing, but I got it together and received my diploma and graduated in June 1982. I was best known for my talent show act as "The Dude". I sang Quincy Jones's hit single "The Dude". I sang it and felt I did pretty good. As I was walking back to my seat, I thought people were saying "boo", but they were saying "Dude", "The Dude" and it stuck from then on. I WILL sing that song again if allowed at our next reunion. It will be fun. :-) I enjoyed my summer at home and went directly into the US Marines in September 1982. I proudly graduated as a United States Marine on December 3, 1982. I went on to become a Loadmaster/Radio Operator/Observer on KC-130 aircraft out of cherry Point, NC. I have flown to all fifty states and Puerto Rico. I have been to Guam, Iwo Jima, Singapore, Casablanca (Morocco), Japan and England to name a few. I enjoyed it. Some places I didn't get to stay too long, but at least I was able to go there. Cozumel, Mexico in February 1990 was the best time with four days there and nothing to do. The water is breathtaking with fish swimming in unison underwater. The water is so clear you can see for at least 100 feet underwater. Beautiful! I WILL go back. I recom...Expand for more