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We are very fortunate at SJ, not only to have one of the few military forums on the net (originally the brainchild of our own CowboyDave, retired Air Force Master SGT, and later BFISA, Green Beret, special services) but our board is rich in those that have served.

Reveryroadie, AKA Jon, our resident Giants fan…Swami King, and friend is one of such people. I have gotten away from these a little, but I will correct that. I wanted to do someone special for our First 4th of July here…and so I chose someone special and dear to us. Revery…..

Why did you decide to enlist and what made you choose the navy?

I had flunked out of college, and I was not allowed to stay at my parents house and do nothing. My step Sisters husband suggested I join the military. I talked to the navy recruiter first, and liked the opportunities.

What was your rank and what was a normal day like to you?

I was a GMG2(Gunners Mate Guns 2nd class). I was an E-5(2nd Class Petty Officer). I was “Middle Management”. A Normal day was Revellie at 6am, after breakfast, we had morning muster. Then I spent the day working on either my gun mount, or small arms. Some days I would train other sailors on how to shoot small arms, as a small arms instructor.

Where did you receive your training at?

I went to boot camp in San Diego, CA. but I got most of my training hands on while serving on ships.

How long did you serve?

10 years

One thing you wish you could remember and one thing you wish you could forget:

I remember all the fun times, looking up at the stars on a clear night.

I wish i could forget all the combat i saw.

What goes thru your mind now when you see the flag?

I understand what it means to want to be free, and the ideal that our flag represents.

Which was harder, the transition from civilian life to military or the opposite..military to civilian?

Definitely going from military back to being a civilian.

How many places/states/countries have you seen?

I have seen countries all over the world. My favorite countries were Spain, Israel, Italy, and Singapore.

Do you keep in touch with anyone you served with?

Yes a few people

This fourth of July…..tell us what freedom means to you….

Freedom means remembering those who thought that an ideal was worth fighting for, and the fact that there are still “true patriots” willing to defend our way of life without hesitation.

Happy Fourth of July Jon. God Bless you. SJ is special because it’s made of special people. Special people like you.