I learned through my parents that the places life will take you make for a fuller experience evinced in smiles, laughter, and kindness. I was raised in the military, so I've literally been around the world a time or two. I continued the family military tradition by enlisting in the US Army directly after high school with stints at the home of the infantry, Fort Benning, GA; the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, CA; and the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea just to name a few. Upon my exit from the military, college was a mountain to climb for my bachelor's in Language Arts and master's degree in TESOL and applied linguistics. I am currently working on my Educational Leadership certification to have a try at the administrative aspect of education.  Among my accomplishments, my greatest are my three boys, Ean, Asa, and Sam, and my wife, Amy.  I am a member of American Legion Post 229 in Madison.