Yo-Hi, Class of 1964
Student Spotlight

 
 
Dave Reid
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 


July 1964, USNS Patrick


On leave from Vietnam, 1969

Oct. 1983, pre-retirement

Santa's workshop in Roatan, 2009

Polar Express, 12/06/10

National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention, 2011

65th birthday, 2012

My sons and I in Scotland, 2012

with two sons, oldest (in middle) wedding, 2012

Santa, 2012

Grandpa and first grandchild (a grandson), Jan. 2014

David, David and David, Jan 2014

 

 

 

**(click on any image for a larger size, use back button to return here)**

Graduated: May 21 st , 1964

Left for the states aboard USNS PATRICK. Shared a cabin with Mike Calvert. Needless to say, two teenage Navy dependent males left pretty much to their own devices for 15 days – that's another story!!

Arrived Oakland CA: Aug 15 th . Took a flight from San Francisco to New York via TWA. Discovered years later that was the final flight of the Super Constellations they used to fly!

Arrived at my grandparents in New Hampshire, and spent two months living the life before turning myself into the local Navy recruiter, who already had my paperwork done!

Enlisted in Boston MA on Sep. 29 th 1964. Spent 8 weeks in Navy boot camp at Great Lakes IL, graduated as the Drill Team Commander.

Reported in early January 1965 to Naval Training Center, Bainbridge MD for Administration/Personnel schooling. Graduated in March and subsequently reported to the Naval Security Group Headquarters, Washington DC for duty as a cryptologic technician.

Terminated my shore duty, summer of 1966 (sailors on ships, ships at sea thing…) for sea duty, instead of spending my entire enlistment in DC. Assigned to a Vice Admiral's staff aboard ship, but home ported in Villefranche Sur Mer on the French Riviera. The Navy relocated the homeport in January 1967 to the Italian Riviera town of Gaeta.

Transferred in March 1968 back to the same organization in Washington DC. Reenlisted for four years and immediately terminated by shore duty, and was issued orders to the USS RANGER, home ported in Alameda, CA but deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. Completed a two year tour aboard the RANGER, and in October 1970 was subsequently transferred back to the same organization in Washington DC.

Arranged for local transfer to the Chief of Naval Operations staff during 1971, and spent the next two years on a Rear Admiral's staff in the Pentagon. Also was assigned to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs for about six months, and to the Navy Flag Plot in March 1973 during the repatriation of the POW's from the Hanoi Hilton. Married in 1971, two sons born, 1972, 1973.

In June 1974, transferred to Guam, where I was the Leading Petty Officer of the Customs Inspection Division, providing customs inspection of personnel, household goods, vehicles, etc., under the auspices of the U.S. Treasury Department.

In March 1976, transferred to San Francisco CA, where I was assigned managing Naval Reservists on Treasure Island.

In June 1979, transferred back to Guam, where I was assigned as a Career Counselor and Direct Support Coordinator for the Navy's cryptologic personnel on the island. Divorced upon return to the states.

In September 1980, was transferred to New Orleans LA, where I completed my 20 year career managing over 5,000 Naval Reservists. Retired from the Navy in December 1983. Married in January 1981 to a childhood sweetheart.

Employed as a defense contractor by Raytheon Missile Systems Division in Andover MA. Resigned after two years and moved to Florida in October 1985 to be near my parents.

Employed by the State of Florida in Bradenton in the juvenile justice system, as a supervisor in a high security juvenile detention center. Divorced December 1985.

Relocated to Kowaliga, Alabama (Yes, Hank Williams wrote a song about Poor Ol' Kowaliga, the cigar store Indian – and it actually exists!) in March 1988 as the Caretaker for a 105 acre lakefront Girl Scout camp. Married June 1988.

In November 1990, became a house husband, when the caretaker job became a part time position.

In the fall of 1991, enrolled in a community college using VA benefits and earned a degree in Computer Information Systems (Programming). Was hired by the college 10 days after graduation, and retired from the college in October 2005.

Currently I am involved in a number of volunteer organizations in a variety of positions. I am the national president of a motorcycle club; sit on the board of directors of another, am a liaison to the board of directors of a national motorcycle rights organization, and chairman of a statewide judicial coming together of a variety of motorcycle clubs and groups.

I am a 20 year volunteer at the domestic abuse agency where my wife is employed, and a sitting member of the county domestic violence task force

I'm also a professional Santa Claus with a very busy schedule from mid-November until Christmas.

Most recently, following several years of training, I was appointed as a Conductor on the Calera & Shelby Railroad, an operating tourist railroad in central Alabama. I am also a trustee on the board of directors for the Alabama State Railroad Museum, home to the C&S Railroad.

For extra spending money, I conduct damaged freight inspections on an independent contractor basis.

I have two grown sons, one of whom was a Navy SEABEE, and we have a 10 month (as of 10/13/14) grandson. Celebrated 26 years of marriage in June 2014.

Dave Reid

82 Pine Ct, Millbrook AL 36054

334-546-5658 (cell)

Yohi1964@elmore.rr.com

 

Next

Student Index

Home page