Thomas Harrington:
CLASS OF 1979
High Point High SchoolClass of 1979
Beltsville, MD
Buck Lodge Middle SchoolClass of 1976
Adelphi, MD
Cherokee Lane Elementary SchoolClass of 1973
Adelphi, MD
Powder Mill Elementary SchoolClass of 1971
Beltsville, MD
Saint Joseph SchoolClass of 1968
Beltsville, MD
Thomas's Story
This is older REACH ME ON FB TOM Factor H Man
Life
Hello all. The last 8 years or so I have worked in different countries in Africa and also when in the US worked with teenagers at a Youth camp (FLYCA) in Florida. I have a nice home in Orange Park, Florida. It is near Jacksonville on a golf course. I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my 3 kids and their families. I still can not get used to being a Grandfather, trying to age me these kids, but would not change it for anything!! I have been lucky to spend some time back in good old MD, so nice to visit great friends and family. however am waiting to actually retire and live in the Sunshine State : )
I retired from the Army after almost 21 years. I have traveled to many places in this amazing world of ours. I love traveling, adventure, SPORTs, and having fun!!I try and stay in touch with new and older friends as best as possible. . Email me if you get a chance. Had a blast at the 30 & 35 reunion and events around it (Green Turtle, Greenbelt park, crusing and reminicing!!!) Life is short, laugh, love, and live. Take care all. Tom "H"
Workplace
Beside cutting grass, shoveling walks, and hustling my first job was in 10th grade at Highs(do they still have those?)in White Oak. All during 11th and 12th grade I worked for Coca-cola at Hillandale. I think I outlasted everyone from Langley Park, Adelphi, Beltsville, Knowllwood,etc that I got jobs for.(John Silcott, Dix, Pearson, Coulter, Larimore, and the rest of the gang) until I got terminated the last day of school/prom? I regret that I worked and goofed (to put it nice) around instead of enjoying sports,activities, and friendships during the high school years.
After High point I started to work as a steamfitter apprentice but was too young, crazy, and wild. The Director told me to soy my wild oates and come back. Then I did the Beltsville Industrial Park jobs,surveying for 1 1/2 years then got into roofing. That was working with Space, Donnie Stew, Rick Coulter (church on time), KP, Mike Mckinney, Shannon Cottrell, Joe D,the Sweeney brothers,Mike Walsh, Scottie, and many more.
Then I needed/wanted a challenge and had to get my act together and joined the US Army 1985-2006. That was the best thing for me.
I have worked part time and full time with 16-19 year old at risk kids while in Florida. This is another job that is very rewarding, (those ones never pay though...Expand for more
)but it is worth it seeing a change for the better in most of the kids as we have them for 5 1/2 months. It is a military style Academy. Currently I am In Africa for a year long job training and building an Army. When I get a chance I see and help out 45 kids at an orphange and also a school and Church. I have worked with and sponsored them since my time here. We are blessed and have so much living in the USA.
Military
I signed up in August 1985, but did not leave for basic at Fort Benning until Jan 3, 1986. Of course that was after Martha's New Years party, and just before the recruiter picked me up at 0400, I just got in from firing an AK-47 in Adelphi and partying w/ Kevin C and David P. Lets say we attracted some attention to say the least. This was something I had thought about over the years since graduating, but kept putting it off. Greg Gates and Kelly joined the Corps,and back in 1982/83 Kevin Cottrell had me fired up with all the 82nd crazys, Kevin Pearson went in, and after a crazy night with Jimmy Rector did I finally do it! My first time in a plane was flying to Fort Benning, and the next 8 times I got on a plane, I was jumping out (airborne/awesome)!
Well after I completed training at the "Home of the Infantry", it was off to Fort Lewis, Washington. There I served almost 5 years with the Rangers 2/75th. It was the best.
Next I was a light fighter at Fort Ord, California 1991-1993, 2/27 Wolf Hounds. Another great duty station and I loved Cali.
I went back to Lewis, 2/9 INF "Manchus" and served as a Platoon Sergeant then in 1996 was off to Fort Knox (yes where the Gold is) Kentucky to be a Drill Sergeant 2-49 INF.
In 1998 it was to Hawaii (YES!)1998-2002 25th Infantry Division and 1-21 "Gimlets". Of course you do not get to spend most your time at these great locations as you are off training,fighting, or deployed somewhere else. I did try to stay in Hawaii, but was sent to Florida (Camp Blanding, AC/RC 2-351st INF)2002-2006. I never heard of it either. This is where I bought a house and retired at. We trained and were responsible for mobilizing thousands of soldiers to go overseas. I retired 1 September 2006 as a MSG/1SG E-8. I loved serving and could of easily stayed to be a Sergeant Major and do 30 years. It was challenging, rewarding, and the best thing for me to do. I have many fond (and some not) memories and stories I can share later. Take care all, Tom
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