Bruce Smith:  

ss she is going to keep me around for a while. In the past year or so I have made contact with several people from the school (and class) which was a real treat for me. I'm looking forward to the next reunion and seeing you all again. I really hope everyone gets there, including those who I haven't seen for decades. I hope to hear from any who read this profile, as a new friend (or an old one who has decided to get back in touch) is a very special treat for me to say the least. If you only knew me in passing, drop a line, you never know where friendship might take us.. . Latest update (2014) IS SHORT AND SWEET. Our lives pretty much stayed the same. Bought a new car (a Prius) and really like it. If I watch my lead foot I have gotten as high as 58 MPG on the freeway and level ground. The only issue is that the car is smarter than I am ; ) Smitty School My Schools: I started school at Gaylord (MN) Elementary. We moved to Duluth (MN) and Endion Elementary for grades 1-start of 4th. Lester Park Elementary (to finish up 4th grade, then moved to Superior (WI) for the 5th - 8th Grade with a brief period in Solon Springs. I started 9th Grade at CVHS in Central Valley (CA), moved back to Minnesota (Morgan Park) the end of that year. Back again to CVHS as a Sophomore - Senior when I moved back to Minnesota in January of 1968. Graduated from Morgan Park High School in Duluth, Minnesota and then was the first class to attend the complete course in Electronics Technology at the new Duluth Area Institute of Technology. Draft number of 96 so I went in the service in 1970, BBA in 1992 and MBA in 1993. The rest is history. College Started National University in earnest in 1990, Graduating with an MBA in 1993. This was a school for the working adult so I learned quite a lot from my classmates as well as the instructors. Workplace Retired (or is that Retarded...) Military I'll keep this short and sweet. In the 20+ years of Naval service I served with some of the very best. I was a Sonar (Electronics) Technician for most of my career, and was considered good enough to serve three instructor billets teaching others the tricks of the trade. I retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) in 1993. If you were wondering if I ever miss it, the answer is YES. But let me tell you what I miss that only a sailor (or a serious backpacker) could understand... You have never seen the glory of nature until you have experienced a cloudless, moonless night literally thousands of miles from any light pollution, on a glassy sea in the tropics. I also miss the fact you never had a problem alone. Regardless of what it was, others were always there who were willing to help out.... I miss the extended family called shipmates, and the fun we had... you are still a part of many happy memories. I miss hitting a port for the first time, and finding the wonders of other cultures, new friends, and sights... And above all, I miss the homecomings, and realizing how damn lucky I am to be myself with the family, friends, and country that I call mine. If you have read this far, perhaps it indicates a little interest, and maybe even a similar background. If that is the case, thank you... Smitty