I was born and raised in Monroe, Michigan to parents of the Greatest Generation. My father was a WWII Veteran stationed in England throughout the war and my mother was his ‘War Bride’. I graduated high school and shortly after went into the military… I served in Vietnam. After returning home, I was fortunate enough to meet my wife, now of 45 years. We had two daughters and we are blessed with three grandchildren. I had ‘several’ careers… working in both government and the private sector. I retiring as a Quality Manager. I went on to do consulting on manufacturing processes and systems improvement.

The War had a big impact upon my life and shaped what was to come after it. The truth about the War in Vietnam will never be told and accepted universally and that drove me to do something with the experience. I chose to do what I could for the ‘brotherhood’ of which I was now a part… the Veterans community. Thus, I worked and served as follows:

• I worked with the organizations which had been formed to try and get a full accounting of our POW’s and MIA’s.
• I am a Charter Member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 142.
• I am also a life member of the Vietnam Veteran of America.
• I served two terms as President of Chapter 142. 
• I was Chairman of the Monroe County Vietnam Veterans Memorial located at Heck Park in Monroe Michigan… a beautiful site, I encourage you to go visit it.  
• On my second term as VVA-142 President I worked with a great team of people to complete the Huey Gunship Display at Heck Park.
• As a private contractor working with a private mental health agency, I spent several years doing Vietnam Veteran Readjustment Counseling in support of the Veteran Administration. 
• I am a Life Member of the VFW and member of Post 1138 in Monroe, Michigan. 

A few years ago I got cancer and spent a lot of time in the VA hospital. I spoke with many Vets from all wars whose lives, like mine, have been impacted by military service. Many who I spoke with have not been as fortunate as I… I may never fulfill all my Bucket List dreams but I have fulfilled some and I am not yet done. Some of the Veterans I still speak with at the VA, however, have not been as lucky as I and that is why I and a great group of people founded Bucket List Dreams. I cannot believe how well it has come together. Our Board is a ‘spectacular’ group of people and I know that together and with YOUR support, we will have many years of bringing joy and fulfillment to the lives of Veterans who after difficult experiences and difficult lives deserve to enjoy a ‘Bucket List Dream’.