Any opinions, statements or thoughts expressed here, represent my own and not those of any other person, company, industry or business. And lastly, Just in case I say something stupid, the stupidity is mine, and mine alone. You cannot have any of it!
“Genuine virtue consists of being charitable, loving one’s fellow men and being judicious in behavior, speech and deed.” - Emilio Jacinto
I was born in Chicago (old - Cook County Hospital - same as Pope Leo XIV) and raised in Oaklawn Illinois until 6th grade when my family moved to New Lenox Illinois (where Pope Leo's brother lives). It was from New Lenox that I graduated from Lincoln-Way High School in 1969 (Now its called Lincoln-Way - Central, I think). Then, at the age of 18, I caught the wind in my sails and enlisted in the Navy. The US Navy taught me how little a person needs, not how much. Never before nor since have I experienced such beauty and fear at the same time. There were times when I thought I would never see the sun rise again, and times I felt equal to Ulysses. The skills I acquired in the Navy allowed me to get a great civilian job that took me throughout Europe. Then, at a time when I was ready to give up on hope, along came a fair wind in the form of a word and a push from a friend. A fresh evaluation of the situation came with a new dream. That dream gave me strength to cast off the bowlines and get underway again headed to my next destination in life - marriage. With the help of my wife, I completed a BS degree (at Fresno State University) in Computer Network Engineering, BS in Network Security and MS degree (at East Carolina University) in Educational Information Systems. In our early years of marriage, my wife and I traveled extensively. Together we saw most of Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and the Holy Land.
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You can't buy happiness but you can marry a Filipina and that's kinda the same thing. So, what's a “Pogi?” Long ago and far away I was a handsome young lad ... really! Pogi is the Tagalog (Filipino) word for “handsome”. My wife was born and raised in the Philippines and has been calling me that for the past 40 years, so it kind of stuck to me. Now, her family and most of our friends also call me "Pogi." My wife is a retired Professor, she received her Doctoral degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison and was on her way back home when we met in San Diego. Needless to say, she had some extra baggage when she did make it home. Now, ordained by God we are married and one in the image of God. We are both retired from East Carolina University (ECU), Lolita from the Department of Continuing & Professional Education (which she started in 2004), and I from main campus Manager of the North Carolina University System Research & Education Network (NCREN) Now in retirement, I see it as a time of investigation, exploration, research and discovery in my life. I can’t change the past, but I can still influence the future. Presently my wife and I reside in Winterville, North Carolina, steeped in American and Nautical history, with beautiful mountains, the highest on the East Coast; beautiful rolling plains of the Piedmont area; and the most beautiful and dangerous coastline anywhere in the world. What I'm Most Proud OfJuly 1969 enlisted in United States navy at Great lakes Naval Station (It was supposed to be during a Cubs game at Wrigley Field but, <sigh> the game got rained out.) Naval Electronics Technician, Communications "A" school at Great Lakes Naval Station. Naval Tactical Data Systems - and Crypto - "C" - Schools at Mare Island Naval Station. Gave me a great Navy and Civilian career. USS Oriskany (CVA-34), my home for 4 years - 1972 to 1976. Built to take lives, in death she gives life. USS Long Beach (CGN9) my home for 2 years - 1976 - 77. Four Naval Letters of Commendation for Outstanding Performance and Contributions to Ship's Readiness from Commander USS Longbeach CGN9 - 1977. One Letter of Citation from Commander - Cruiser Destroyer Group One - 1977 Naval Ocean Systems, Center San Diego, 1980 -88 - Design Engineer for the World Wide Military Command Control System. This is the system that the President and Joint Chiefs use to communicate. November 15, 1986 - Married the most wonderful woman in the world! - On our 30th anniversary, Lolita and I were highly honored and deeply humbled to participate in the International Rosary prayed at Fatima. An experience I will never forget. California State University at Fresno (Fresno State) Class of 2004. BS in Business Computer Systems. East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC. - North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) ECU Network Manager 2005- 2016. Through my efforts, we were able to hold "online-distance" classes around the world. East Carolina University (ECU) 2006 - 2008ish - Master's Degree in Educational Information Systems. Third Degree Knight of Columbus, since 2016. The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney on March 29, 1882. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. Faith program Director of Council 6600 since 2018. International Friends Ministry at St. Peter Catholic Church - Co-Founder & Co-Chairman with Lolita, since 2018 and First Five Saturday Devotion founder and chairman at St. Peter Catholic Church since 2025. A Big Bravo Zulu (Navy slang for "Well Done.") to Ken Harbit from the Great Lakes Naval Museum for his caption contribution..."The Echo Remains! - I have only begun to fight!" - September 24, 2020 at 12:07pm. For the following picture of: The Joint Team. — with ships from the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Groups and aircraft from the United States Air Force and Marines operating in formation at the conclusion of exercise Valiant Shield. - Which now hangs in the Great Lakes Naval Museum 
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