Barry Campbell:  

I was such geek in high school and I still am...but now I am a geek with 28 years military experience and I fire expert with most any personal weapon you can think of. We drive big trucks, shoot big guns, lift heavy things, walk around dressed like a bush and go places where most people with more common sense will try to avoid. The best part is, I am one of the few people who can say "I talk to spacecraft in orbit" without having to worry about getting carted off to the looney bin. I went into the U.S. Air Force right out of High School. After five years with the 1923rd Communications Group at Kelly AFB, Texas, as a Weather Equipment Specialist I got divorced and left the Air Force so that I could be with my children who had moved back to Seattle. I transferred into the 143rd Combat Communications Squadron, Washington Air National Guard, Boeing Field, as a Power Production Specialist. After another five years had passed I cross trained again into Satellite Communications with the same unit. Currently I work full time at the 143rd Combat Comm. as a Civilian Technician for the Department of Defense, and as a Traditional Air National Guardsman. This Military/Civilian life has really been a lot of fun. I have seen summers in Europe, and sandstorms in the deserts of Southwest Asia. I showed my kids how I felt about illegal drugs by working Counter-Narcotics operations deep in the jungles of Central and South America. I participated in the WTO "Battle of Seattle" and performed Disaster Relief operations in the Southeastern U.S. (most recently Galveston, TX the morning after Hurricane Ike in 2008). Japan and Taiwan were nice but I really love Hawaii and Thailand. I spent the last couple of summers in Bangkok, Pattaya, Koi Samed and at the storied "Bridge on the River Kwai". I have been lucky enough to travel to many locales all over the world for both work and pleasure. This summer I am looking forward to working in Australia (my first visit). About my children, I have four, one son and three daughters. My oldest daughter, Amy (28), and her husband Ty just gave me my first grandson last year. WOW! Being a Grandpa is the greatest! I always told my kids that I loved who they had become but missed the little kids that they were...now they are giving me a new generation of little grandkids to love! My son Matt (26) is in the Army, and is currently on his third tour in Iraq. Last year he was the recipient of the Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart. He managed to avoid 4 IED's before Achmed managed to shake him up with a car bomb. Thank the Lord for up-armored HUMVEE's! He is married to a beautiful woman from Italy named Vanessa who is just as sweet a girl as you could ask for. Of my two youngest daughters, Eleanor and Lauren, (ages 16 and 14) are both still going to school. I recently began teaching Eleanor to drive. Minor fright-fests aside, she is doing very well. Both girls are on the School Volleyball teams while Eleanor goes for Track and...Expand for more