Glenn Watts, of Columbia, South Carolina, is Richard Lee Gleason’s Third Cousin Once Removed.

He is a descendant of Paul Russell Hoopengardner (1821-1880) the brother of Gleason’s second great grandfather Wesley Henry Hoopengarner (1837-1902). Their common ancestors are George P. Hoopengardner and Margaret Crawford.

Glenn was the submitter of Gleason’s source #231: “Hoopengardner Family,” Gedcom file, dated 21 March 2009, adding 3159 unique new names.3
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Sep 1954 - U.S. Army National Guard. Serial Number 24458855.

11 Feb 1955 - U.S. Air Force, Enlisted.

1 Oct 1978 - U.S. Air Force, Retired Senior Master Sergeant.

28 Feb 2000 - 1st Hole in One, Lexington, SC Country Club #4.
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Glenn Livingston Watts, Jr. the oldest of six brothers and two sisters was born and grew up in Elk Garden, W.Va. Glenn attended Elk Garden schools and performed reasonably well grade wise. Glenn had a short fuse and fast temper. Thus, he could have been labeled as a trouble maker. Seemed if there was a fight around he was there. At age thirteen Glenn worked with his father in a fire coal mine, mining fire coal with a pick, shovel and wheel barrow. Glenn and his father delivered as many as seven tons (7 truck loads) a day at $5.00 a ton/load. As a seventh grade student Glenn was able to explain the layers of coal, rock and related information to his classmates. Besides the coal mines, Glenn also worked the hay fields along with other farming work and harvesting timber. At age sixteen Glenn decided working the coal mines or harvesting pulp wood was not for him. With the other choice's not any better, he and some friends started to make plans to enlist in the US military at age 18. Intending to stay for twenty years and than retire.

September, 1954, Glenn started his military career by enlisting in the United States Army National Guard Unit located in Keyser, W.Va. He served with the national guard until his discharge as a Private (E-2) upon enlisting in the US Air Force. On Glenn's 18th birthday January 31, 1955 he and his close friend Charles Richard (Dick) Abernathy headed for the Air Force enlistment office. Both qualified easy and were scheduled for departure on Dick's birthday February 5, 1955. They were delayed to February 10, 1955 due to a flu outbreak at Sampson AFB, NY. They were enlisted on February 11, 1955, at the Fort Detrick, Maryland processing center and were assigned to Lackland AFB, San Antonio,Texas for basis training. They traveled by train to San Antonio, Texas and were assigned to Flight 222, Squadron 3706, Wing 3700 where training started on February 14, 1955. They completed their basic training on May 6, 1955 and each was promoted to Airman Third Class (E-2). They returned together to Elk Garden, W.Va. for a short leave. Both Glenn and Dick stayed true to their commitment and served over twenty years each before retiring. Dick went on to train as a jet engine repairmen and retired to live in Marion, NC.

Glenn was assigned to Kessler AFB, Mississippi for training as an Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) Radar Repairmen. Being assigned to the 3412th and the 3409th Student Squadrons. Completing basic electronics and AC&W Radar Systems training on January 31, 1956, Glenn was promoted to Airman Second Class (E-3), awarded AFSC 30332C, simi-skilled effective Feburary 1, 1956. Assigned to the 920th AC&W Squadron, Resolution Island, North West Territory reporting on March 1, 1956. Processing thru the 2266th PERTRON, Manhatten Beach AF Station, Brooklyn, NY. Flying from Mcquire AFB, NJ to Goose Bay AFB, Gander, Labrador. He spent two weeks at Goose Bay getting dental work completed. Flew to Frobishier Bay, Baffin Island. After two days arrived by helicoper at the 920th AC&W Squadron, Resolution Island. The Island was better known as the "ROCK" to all stationed there as we were very remote and it was very cold during the long winter months. Average temperature for January 1957 was fifty six (56) degrees below zero. Coldest was fifty nine (59) degrees below zero. Due to the bad weather we went over seven weeks with out any type of aircraft getting in or out of the Island during this time frame. Duties assigned were Crew Chief, Trainer and Supervisor of Radar System repairs. Completed upgrade training and was upgraded to AFSC 30352, skilled level. Glenn completed this remote overseas tour of duty in late February 1957 and was promoted to Airman First Class (Buck Sergeant) (E-4) on March 1, 1957.

Glenn reported to the 637th AC&W Radar Squadron, Othello, Washington April l, 1957 for duty. Duties assigned were Crew Chief, Trainer and Supervisor of Radar Systems. Aug 1, 1957, Glenn took a short discharge and reenlisted for an additional six years. He visited Elk Garden, WV for a 30 day leave and then returned to Othello AFS. June 1, 1958, Glenn was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-5) and continued to serve at Othello AFS. December 1958, Glenn led a four man crew providing manpower assistance to the Curlew, Washington unit. By early June, 1959 there had been heavy mid level management turn over and many changes had taken place within the Radar Maintenance Work Center. Mid level supervision and management was weak, inexperienced and selected by in-house politics with senior and qualified NCO'S being pushed aside. Glenn was quite lucky and the Unit Commander arranged for a transfer to the 822nd AC&W Radar Squadron, Cottonwood AFS, Idaho.

Glenn reported into the 822nd in mid June 1959. The 822nd had an excellent Commander and very strong leadership through out the maintenance work centers. Unit Duties assigned were NCO in charge of Radar Maintenance Section supervising all sub-sections of the Radar Maintenance work center. Glenn served at Cottonwood until early July 1960. While Cottonwood was quite small and out of the way this location was a very good assignment. The local people were very kind and friendly to the USAF personnel. The Grangeville, Idaho golf course charged fifty cents a year for a membership for any Air Force member.

Glenn returned to Elk Garden, W.V. for a 30 day leave while en route to remote overseas duty at the 667th AC&W Radar Squadron, Langanes, Iceland arriving August 10, 1960. Duties assigned were Crew Chief and Trainer for Radar System repairs. Additionally, Glenn managed the Armed Forces Radio Station. This unit was very remote with weak and unqualified mid-level management within most major work centers. Unit Command was so-so at best. This lack of leadership was the direct cause of the search radar system and the protective radome being blown over the side of the radar tower during a winter storm in January 1961. Against the advice of the on site contract Technical Support Representative, senior management actually stopped the maintenance crew from repairing a small radome air leak found during normal preventive maintenance inspections that morning. When the storm and high winds arrived that evening/night it didn't take very long for the change in radome air pressure and the force of the winds to turn a small pin hole leak into a large rip; thus, the radome and radar went over the side of the tower. In February 1961 the Unit was relocated to Hofn, Iceland and reactivated the search radar system. April 1961 Glenn took a three week leave to visit England, Scotland, Germany and Denmark. Found the Denmark people to be very fond of Americans. Glenn completed this tour of duty on August 11, 1961 and was reassigned to the 647th AC&W Radar Squadron, Manassas, Virginia located at Independent Hill, VA.

Glenn reported to the 647th AC&W Radar unit in early September 1961. Duties assigned were Crew Chief, Trainer and Supervisor of Radar System repairs. Later Workload Control Supervisor.

Late August, 1961, while on leave Glenn met the young and beautiful Sharon Lea Hartman. She would soon change his life for ever. They immediately became a couple devoted to each other. While Sharon had just started her Senior Year of High School, her desire to finish high school did not stand in the way of their love for each other. Wedding plan's were soon made and they were married on October 28, 1961, four days after Sharon's seventeenth birthday. They were married in the afternoon by the Rev. Donald Marple at the Assembly of God Church in Kitzmiller, Maryland. The formal wedding was held that evening at the Assembly of God Church in Elk Garden, W.Va. Sharon continued to live with her parents while attending high school and Glenn traveled back and forth from Manassas, Va. Sharon graduated June 5, 1962 and the next day they moved to 414 South Grant, St., Manassas, Va. They lived at South Grant Street until late July, 1963. On January 25, 1963, their daughter Sonjie Lorraine Watts was born at the Naval Hospital, Quantico, Virginia. Glenn, Sharon and Sonjie moved to 662 Lemuse St, Biloxi, Mississippi in August 1963 where they would live while Glenn attended advanced electronics and radar system classes at Kessler AFB, Mississippi. Was Attached to the 3388th Student Squadron. In June, 1964 upon completion of the advanced classes, they returned to Manassas AFS, Va. Duty assigned was Training Control Supervisor. They first moved to 31 Graham Park Rd., Triangle Park, Virginia and than into Government Housing at the 647th Radar Sq. Independent Hill, Va. On October 10, 1964 their son Glenn L. Watts, III was born at the Naval Hospital, Quantico, Va. They served at Manassas until June 1965. Glenn was a member of the 647th Radar Squadrons bowling team winning the Washington Air Defense Sector championship in June 1963.

Early June 1965, the family moved to Roanoke Rapids, NC were Glenn would serve with the 632nd Radar Sq, located by the airport. They first lived in Halifax, NC. After ten weeks they moved into government housing located just outside the main entrance to the base. Duties assigned were first Training Control Supervisor and than Maintenance Quality Control Inspector with management of Training Control. Glenn would finally be promoted to Technical Sergeant (E-6) in June, 1966. Glenn attended and graduated from the Air Defense Command's Air Force Senior NCO Academy, Hamilton AFB, Calif. in November, 1966. This assignment was a great duty location with strong mid and senior management. During this time the unit was selected to receive the Outstanding Unit Award by the United States Air Force for being awarded the Air Defense Command Outstanding Maintenance Achievement Award. By now Glenn had completed many training courses and was selected to attended the Air Force Advanced Ground Radar Systems year long course. Late January, 1968, Glenn, Sharon and their family moved to 107 Knollwood Drive, North Biloxi, Miss. Glenn was assigned to the 3384th Student Squadron, Kessler AFB, Miss and would spend the next fifty weeks in the class room studying ground control and auto tracking radar systems along with the early warning systems. Additionally, data processing systems were covered. February, 1969 Glenn completed this training and was named An Outstanding Honor Graduate with an overall grade average of 98.04. This become the highest grade average to that date. Seven years later the average had not been exceeded.

Glenn, Sharon and the family now moved to Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah, Ga. where Glenn would serve with the 702nd Radar Squadron until July 1970. Duties assigned were Height Finder Radar Work Center Supervisor. The work centers operational air time was the best within the 20th Air Division under Glenn's leadership. This was achieved by visiting and obtaining support from the US Army Helicopter hydraulic maintenance shop. They were able to built and test the many high failure parts we used on the radar's drive system. This we had a Constant local supply of these critical parts. Upon arrivial the FPS-26 has a problem with one of the transmitter. This had existed for over two years. As it did not have a major impact on the radar's performance it did not seem to concern many. Working on the issue about two hours a day, it took Glenn about six weeks to solve the problem. Turned out to be about a five minute fix. A shorted capicator.

For the June 1970 promotion cycle, the Air Force had revised their promotion system to include skill level testing and testing of general military knowledge and leadership skills. Glenn's knowledge of electronics and radar system along with general military knowledge was again at the top as he scored perfect scores of 95 percentile on both exams and was selected for promotion.

August 1, 1970 Glenn was promoted to Master Sergeant (E-7) as He, Sharon and their family flew from Charleston AFB, SC to Rhein-Main AFB, West Germany, en route to Sembach AFB, Germany where they would serve for the next three years. Glenn first reported into Detachment 28, 601 Tactical Control Squadron; later renamed the 603rd Tactical Control Squadron. Duties assigned were first Training Control Supervisor than NCO in charge Radar Maintenance. Than a one year assignment as Unit First Sergeant. In May, 1973, Glenn's tour of duty was extended from three years to four years and he moved to a staff position as NCO in charge of Wing Mobility with the 601st Tactical Control Wing. All of these units were based at Sembach AFB, Germany. June 1973, Glenn relocated with the 601 TCW to Weisbaden AFB, Germany, where he severed until May 1974. Glenn was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, from 29 July, 1970 to 17 May, 1974.

At this time Glenn and the family returned to the United States and reported into the 756th Radar Squadron, Finland AFS, Minnesota early June 1974. Duties assigned were NCO in charge of Quality Control and Training Control Supervisor. Also additional duties as Unit Security Officer, NCOIC Unit Exercise and Evaluation Team, and Unit Chief of Security Police. Additionally served on several boards and solved many single issue actions for the Unit Commander. This assignment was a real challenge as the Unit's past command and most management personnel were very weak and many personnel were just hiding out until they could retire or leave the military. With the assignment of a new unit commander and an additional senior NCO being assigned, many improvements were made. Still the left over idle and weak NCO's and Officer's made most efforts to clean up the past a real challenge. In May 1975, Glenn was selected for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant and with this promotion came a reassignment. Glenn and Sharon selected reassignment to the 770th Radar Squadron, Fort George G. Mead, Maryland. Under Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command Special Order G-169, DTD 26 Sept 75 "By dir of the President" Glenn was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Meritorious Service 12 June 1974 to 31 July 1975. Glenn was a member of the 756th Radar Squadrons bowling team winning the 23rd Air Division championship in June 1975.

Glenn, Sharon and the family reported to the 770th Radar Squadron in early August 1975. Duties assigned were Communications Electronics Ground Maintenance Superintendent. Additional duties were Squadron Security Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander. April 1, 1976, the promotion to Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) was effective, placing him in the top three percent of all enlisted personnel. Glenn was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for Meritorious Service 5 August 1975 to 8 October 1976.

October 14 1976, Glenn was reassigned to the 795th AC&W Squadron, Cape Romanzof AFS, Alaska. Duties assigned were Squadron Electronics Maintenance Supervisor. Additionally performed duty as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander. Managed the small two lane bowling center for about four months, then managed the site base exchange.

Glenn was reassigned back to the 770th Radar Squadron, Fort George G. Mead, Maryland and reported on September 16, 1977, where he would complete his Air Force career retiring October 1, 1978. Duties assigned were Communications Electronics Ground Maintenance Superintendent with additional duties as the Squadron Security Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander. Glenn was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) for Meritorious Service 16 September 1977 to 30 September 1978.

Glenn received many additional awards during his Air Force career from NCO/Airman of the month, the quarter and/or the year. Many times he was the top student at Air Force schools. The most notable awards were as follows. The Meritorious Service Medal; The Air Force Commendation Medal, awarded three times; The Air Force Outstanding Unit Ribbon; The Air Force Good Conduct Medal, awarded five times; The Army Good Conduct Medal, awarded three times; The National Defense Service Ribbon; The Air Force Longevity Ribbon, Awarded five times; The Air Force Marksmanship Ribbon and the Air Force NCO Academy Graduation Ribbon.

October 9, 1978, Glenn took a field engineering position with Telex, Corporation in Columbia, South Carolina. This position lasted six months with Glenn being promoted to Management within field service. This management position was held in one form or other until August 8, 1994. Again, Glenn received many awards and bonus' for job performance.

As Sharon and Glenn had made an investment in a small business in 1983, that they had placed inactive in 1986, they were able to activate Independent Services, Inc within a few days of leaving Memorex-Telex. By September, 1994, Independent Services was an on-going business concern. The company remains active as of this date and will stay active in the future.247

Sharon and I were first introduced on Tuesday, August 29, 1961. We again met on Thursday, August 31, 1961. After spending two hours or so in general small talk, we made our first date for Friday evening at 7:00 PM and a second date for Sunday evening same time. I had planned a family trip on Saturday to visit my grandmother in Pennsylvania, thus preventing a date for Saturday evening. Several times Sharon reminded me to be on time as she wanted to be gone by 7:30 at the latest. I didn't understand this until Sunday afternoon as it was not my habit to be late. We want as planned on Friday and had a great time together and were looking forward to Sunday's date. Late Saturday after returning from Pennsylvania, I was told at various times that Sharon was looking for me. I tried to find her; but, it seemed I was always five to ten minutes late. After several stops I gave up and went home for the night. On Sunday, around 1:00 PM I was returning from visiting my aunt and made the turn on to Shady Side en route to my mom's home. Seeing Sharon on her front porch, I stopped to see her. I said "they told me you were looking for me last night, what did you need?" She replied "a ride home." I said "I though you had a date, why did you need a ride?" She replied "we were fighting and arguing." I asked her what about? Sharon answered, "he said I stood him up Friday night and he was mad. I lied and told him I had forgotten we had a date for Friday, I even asked him why would I go out with him on Saturday if I had stood him up on Friday?" It now hit me (Glenn) on why I had to be on time, we needed to be gone from her home before her other date showed up. I told her "I now know why I had to be on time, you did stand him up for me." I asked "do you have a date with him for tonight too?" Sharon gave me a little laugh and said no, "I told him last night not to show up tonight as I was going out with you." (At this moment I was hooked) She added "we can leave later than 7:00 now if you want." I replied "I was thinking about going earlier not later." She said "want to leave at six?" I said how about even earlier and asked "what are you doing the rest of the day?" Sharon replied "nothing, Mom and Dad are gone and I am here because Dad wouldn't promise me we would be back by seven." I replied how about five and Sharon said OK. So I said "or even earlier, how about two or now? " She replied "I need five minutes to be ready. " I said "I need eight to ten minutes, I need to stop at Mom's. I will be back in ten minutes or less." I returned in about eight minutes and Sharon was in the car almost before I could stop. We pulled onto the main highway side-by-side, on our way to a great afternoon and evening together, moving on to become life partners, best friends, soul mates, and even a little bit of enemies a few times though never for long or over any serious issues.

Two weeks later, September 15th, I asked Sharon to marry me. Being some what surprised, she replied "we aren't even going steady yet, we can't be talking about getting married so soon." I gave her the big I love you spill and said "there isn't any law that says we have to go steady before getting married." Adding, "besides since we first met we haven't dated any one else or even though about dating some one else except for you spending two hours fighting and looking for me, you can't call that a date. We may not have used the words; but, you can't go any more steadier than we have been." Sharon now gave me one of her rare "I will tell you what we can do" talks. "We can officially go steady, no dating others, just you and me. At Christmas time you still feel this way, you can get me an engagement ring and I will marry you when school is out. I want to complete high school and get my diploma." I opened a ring box telling her I couldn't get her a ring for Christmas as I already had her one. I also said we can get married at Christmas and you can stay in Elk Garden to complete high school. At this time I took Sharon's hand and placed the ring on her finger. Her eyes got wide and her mouth uttered "it fit's perfect." I said "yes because it's for you." I than showed her the matched wedding band and told her she could have it for Christmas. I put it on her finger to show her how they looked together. We talked for awhile and than I took the wedding band off and placed it back in the box. At this time I said, "I am not taking that ring off your finger, if it comes off you will have to remove it." She very quitely and seriously said "I can't do that." We spent some time expressing our love for each other and agreeing we would plan our wedding over the next several weeks. The next Friday I asked her father for his OK. He said he would walk her down the aisle to me. Things now got on the fast track as I was moving the wedding date closer and closer.

It was October 6 or 7, 1961; Sharon now gave me her second "I will tell you what we can do". "My birthday is Tuesday October 24th, we can get married on Saturday the 28th. I will skip school on Monday to give us an extra day together; but, I need to go to school Tuesday." Being ever alert I said what I was thinking, "you picked the 28th; because, you will be eighteen on the 24th and you won't need your mom or dads permission." She said "no, we need three weeks to plan the wedding and get things in place." She added, "I will be seventeen, mom or dad will have to sign the papers for me." I was surprised at her age; but, we were still getting married. Things really moved in a hurry now as we got close to October 28th.

October 28, 1961, very much activity going on with both of us quite busy. At about 2:30 PM Donald Marple, our friend and minister arrived as we had planned at Sharon's home. A few minutes later we left for the Assembly of God Church in Kitzmiller, Maryland, where we would be legally married at about 3:00 PM. We than completed some more minor tasks, returning Sharon home and I want to mom's while we would get ready for the formal wedding at 7:30 PM in the Elk Garden, W.Va., Assembly of God Church. To my knowledge, this was the first time the legal marriage took place prior to the formal wedding. It was common for many couple's to have their formal wedding first at the Elk Garden Assembly of God Church, their choice for their formal wedding, than to be legally married in Maryland.

After the formal wedding and a small reception in the church basement, Sharon and I left for our one night honeymoon in her dad's car as our car had devolved problems. We had no real plans other than to be together. After a few stops at the local hang outs we ended up at the Koolwink Motel in Romney, W.Va. We had a great night together and I even enjoyed being woke up about 4:00 AM by a beautiful young woman. Had to go out and get hamburgers, fries and cokes for a late night meal. We then got up around 10:00 AM and rode the country side, site seeing, enjoying being together and ending up at her parents home in the late afternoon. As planned Sharon missed school on Monday. Tuesday morning I left her off at school and returned to Manassas AFS, Va. For the next seven months I traveled back and forth to Elk Garden when not working. Sharon made two trips to Manassas to attend Air Force social functions with me. Lucky me I always had the youngest and best looking date. In turn I was Sharon's date for her high school function's; i.e. basketball games, senior prom, etc. Being married, Sharon was unofficially elevated to class queen. She was where the other girls wanted to be, married with plans for her future. After her graduation on June 5th 1962, we had planned to socialize with her class mates; however, it didn't work out as we just didn't have the same idea's about how to enjoy the evening. We quickly make our good bye's and headed in for the night. We got up early the next morning, completed packing our car and headed for Manassas, Virginia to really start our life together.

We lived at 414 South Grant Street from June 1962 to July 1963. We rapidly learned how little we knew about being a married couple and on our own. The previous months had been just one big extended date having solidified our commitment and desire to be together. Though normally broke and living pay day to pay day, we were still able to entertain ourselves and socialize with others. I bowled twice a week and Sharon normally went with me and socialized with other wives. On most weekends we would attend the Air Force NCO club for dancing and a night on the town. We purchased our first television set on credit and used a local laundromat for washing and drying our laundry. On January 25, 1963, our family grew by one with the birth of our daughter, Sonjie Lorraine Watts. We found out in a hurry that the laundromat would no longer meet our laundry needs. Again we used credit to purchase a washing machine. Major improvements, cost for laundry went down, less time and effort required. In the spring we had to replace our worn out car. As Sharon was not driving and due to cost we purchased a station wagon sedan with a manual transmission. In late July, 1963, we visited Elk Garden for a few days, than departed for Keesler AFB, Mississippi where I was enrolled for additional electronic and radar systems training. We spent several days traveling the country and site seeing. We visited West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. I attended training from August 1963 to June 1964. As training was a priority and with a young child we were limited on our personal entertainment. We were able to visit the NCO club occasionally for bingo. Additionally during this time we traveled the Gulf Coast and visited New Orleans. While here Sharon became pregnant with our second child and was exposed to German measles and had to take the rubella shots, 50cc in each hip, to prevent problems. She was a hurting young girl for about three days. I completed training in June, 1964 and we traveled back to Manassas, AFS, Virginia via Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. We first moved to 31 Graham Park Road, Triangle, Virginia and got a new experience in making a home together. Again, thanks to credit we purchased our very first furniture, three rooms for $500.00. On October 7, 1964 our son Glenn Livingston Watts, III was born. After Sharon gave birth, she looked like a different person. I knew she had a rough time carry our son; but, I had not grasped how much of a burden carrying Glenn had been on her physical health. I now knew we would not have additional children. In January, 1965 Sharon took up bowling as a sport that we would enjoy together. Also we moved into Air Force Government Housing at Independence Hill, Virginia. With a child of each sex we were authorized a three bedroom house. We were now moving up in the world. During our time at Manassas we made several visits to Washington, DC and the surrounding area. In June 1965, the 647th AC&W Radar Squadron was closed and we were reassigned to Roanoke Rapids AFS, North Carolina located near the airport just a few miles west of Roanoke Rapids.

We lived in Halifax, North Carolina for about ten weeks and than moved into Air Force Government Housing, located outside the main gate to the Radar Station. Very nice housing with large yards and the kitchen sink with a garbage disposal. A great next door neighbor and friend in Harold Criss Stephens, his wife Blanche and their three children. Like Sharon and I, Blanche had been born and grew up in West Virgina, Criss was from Kentucky. This was a great assignment for us as we made several friends and spent much time in various social actives; i.e. bowling, dancing, and small family outings at lake Gaston normally with Dick Clayton, Criss Stephens and their families after Dick, Criss and I had played golf. We bowled on several teams that won first place and received many individual awards. Sharon finally had time to get her drivers license and we were able to purchase a second car. Additionally, we were able to visit often with my brothers Tommy and Gilbert Watts and their families. Both were assigned to Navy units in the Norfolk, Virginia area. Sharon was much younger than any NCO's wife and even younger than the wives of the married first term airmen. As my companion at official and unofficial social functions, Sharon's youth and beauty normally drew a lot of very interesting attention in our direction. Being married to a gorgeous attractive young woman was not what my peers were expecting and most were unable to hide their surprise when first meeting her. A few even out right staring in total shock and unaware of how silly they appeared. It was here that Sharon decided to find out if blondes really did have more fun as I came home from work one day and was greeted by a young good looking blonde woman. This hair change added to the attention and staring directed in her direction. After six-nine months we went shopping and found a blond wig with the same natural hair style (curls and slight waves) she had as a brunette. We now enjoyed the ability for her to be a blonde or brunette when we went out; because, as either she was easily the best looking and most attractive woman where ever we went. We served here until late January 1968 when we departed for Kessler AFB, Mississippi where I would attend highly advanced electronics and radar system classes. En route we first visited with my brother Gilbert and his wife Faye Watts, now assigned to a Navy unit in Charleston, South Carolina. After two days we departed for Miami, Florida, planning a site seeing tour as we traveled to Mississippi. Our travels included Miami, Naples, Sarasota (where we seen the Barnam and Bailey Circus grand performance), Tampa, Tallahassee and Pensacola, Florida. Also, Mobile, Alabama.

We arrived at Kessler AFB, Mississippi early February 1968 and rented a house at 107 Knollwood Drive, North Biloxi, Mississippi. We spent a full year at Kessler AFB as my training was a full fifty weeks. It was here Sharon first went to work outside the home. She was recruited to help out at a local day care center and she enjoyed the work as she was able to take both children to work with her. I was normally in the class room from 6:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Monday through Friday, this providing lots of free time for the family to enjoy the gulf coast. Family activities mainly were fishing, swimming and short traveling visits to other parts of the coast. Sharon and I limited our social activity to bingo and dancing at the Kessler AFB NCO club.

I completed training in early February 1969 and we were assigned to the 802nd Radar Squadron, Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah, Georgia. We lived at 210 Chatman Street for two months, then moved into Army Government Housing on Hunter Army Air Field. This was also a great assignment and we enjoyed the Savannah area almost as much as we had enjoyed Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Sharon again went to work outside the home. Mainly for Lerner Ladies Department Store located in the Oglathorpe Mall, Savannah, Georgia. She really enjoyed working for Lerner. She mostly worked evening's and Saturday afternoons. We had our first Whopper Burger here from Burger King. Also enjoyed the pizza from the Village Inn. We made short visits to the Jacksonville, Florida (zoo) and Saint Augustine, Florida area and beaches. April, 1970 I was selected for retraining into the computer field and also assignment to Sembach AFB, Germany as a separate action. The Air Force provided us with our choice, Sharon and I talked our desires and options over and as usual she made more logical sense than I did. She pointed out how we had wanted and planned to travel Europe for many years; thus, Germany was the perfect assignment for such an experience. Therefore, we choose German and we completed our Savannah assignment in late June 1970 and left for a month long visit with our extended families in West Virginia. As usual Sharon was the youngest and most attractive woman at all of our social functions making for more interesting times.

The family departed together from Charleston AFB, South Carolina on August 1, 1970 for the four year assignment in West Germany. Our family arrived at Rehin-Main AFB, Germany in the afternoon on August 2, 1970, after a short stop over in Bangor, Maine to add jet fuel. We took the bus to Sembach AFB and checked in with the 601 Tactical Control Squadron. The family spent the next four to six weeks in Vogelweh Guest Housing, Kaiserslautern, Germany. We then moved into a first floor German apartment in Alsenborn, Germany and lived there for about fourteen months. This was a new experience for us as we did not have the modern household items we had grown use to. Sharon had a wringer washer to wash clothes and we used a small fuel oil burning stove for heat. Our bedroom was over a garage with three sides and the ceiling exposed to the outside with out any insulation. The winter nights were quite cold and made for closeness when we slept. We than moved into the Air Force Government housing on Sembach AFB, Germany. In June 1973, we moved with the 601 TCW to Weisbaden AFB, Germany and lived in Air Force Housing until reassignment to the United States in May 1974. These three years and ten months were a fabulous time of our life. Sharon and I purchased a small pop up travel camper called an Alpine Cruiser in the spring of 1971. The camper was built in East Germany and sold in Amsterdam, Holland. We visited the tulip gardens of Holland and they are beautiful. We also rode the Amsterdam canals by boat and toured Rotterdam. We wore this camper out in the next three years visiting Germany and traveling Europe. We made our first camping trip to Luxembourg, camping on the Alzette river. Toured the Flander Field National Cemetery at Waregen, Belgium. Getting to meet and know so many European people, their families and customs was an experience our family could not buy and will be treasured by all of us for ever. Sharon and I spent our tenth wedding anniversary, October 28, 1971, in Paris, France. We made this trip with our friends Harvey and Betty Setter also celebrating their wedding anniversary. We traveled by train mixing with the French and German travelers; thus, enriching the experience while full filling our dream that had come true. We stayed on Champs Elysees street and seen all of Paris and then some, i.e. Effile Tower, Norte Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Musse de Louvre, cabarets the Lido, the Moulin Rouge, the Folies Bergere, and several after midnight clubs. The summer of 1972 the family spent three weeks traveling Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and southern Germany. Points of main interest, visited Innsbruck, Austria, the Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome, Italy, returning via Zurich, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. As a family we walked to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa and strolled the Colosseum Grounds of Rome. Seen so much of Rome we had to mark on a map the places we visited. The mountains of Switzerland looks just like a picture. One of a few places that's as pretty in real life as it looks in a picture. Sharon and I spent three weeks attending numerous 1972 Olympia events at Munich, Germany and visiting the surrounding area. We watched Mark Sptiz set all kinds of world swimming records. The summer of 1973 we visited Switzerland, France and Spain. Seen a bull fight in Barcelona, Spain, we were not impressed. Spent eight days on the Mediterranean Sea, about sixty miles north of Barcelona, very beautiful and clear blue water. During the winter of 1973-1974 the family went on a great winter vacation to Oberammergau, Germany. Bavaria is a winter wonderland. Seen most of von Ludwig's castles. We also made many short camping trips to Belgium, Luxembourg and all over Germany. In addition to visiting the many great sites Germany offered, we also visited the worse of the worst. Our visit to the Dachau death camps were enlightening; but, very depressing. Sharon and I both commented on how we just didn't feel right being there, it seemed as if you could feel people reaching for help. Other wise, It was great to meet and interact with the European's that were also camping and enjoying life. We had the Frisbe for the ice breaker and kept several with us as most would be left for others to enjoy. Met a lot of very nice and honest people. We also met and camped with many other Military families. Some times we even traveled together. Summer 1973, we camped many weekends on the Rhein river at campsite R¸desheim, Hessen with several friends. We really enjoyed the great German beers and wines as we seemed to be at a gasthouse, dog club or some type of local festival every week end with our close friends. We bowled at the military bowling centers, danced at the Air Force NCO club's and German gasthouses, dined at the local gasthouses or restaurants. It seemed we were always at Georg's in Enkenbalk, Germany, a few miles from Sembach AFB, schnitzel for Sharon and I, pizza for Sonjie and Glenn. We shopped at the local German open air markets, department stores, and speciality shops. We got some great keep sake items plus friends and memories you can't buy. Germany was a great time of our life and with out a doubt the high light of our Air Force career. We departed late May 1974 for the United States arriving at Charleston AFB, South Carolina after a short stop over at Bangor, Maine. We spent two days with my brother Tom Watts and his family, purchased a car, then traveled through North Carolina and Virginia with a short family visit in West Virginia. On to Finland AFS, Minnesota, via Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

We arrived at the 756th Radar Squadron, Finland AFS, Minnesota early June 1974. We moved into Air Force Government housing within a few days. The same house our friends Criss and Blanche Stephens had moved out of a few days before. We missed them by three days. We had to wait on our household items shipping in from Germany and Savannah, Georgia. This was a tough assignment for Sharon and Sonjie. Not much activity nearby and limited at that. We did bowl. However, it was seventy miles to get a Big Mac Hamburger. There were some great scenes for site seeing; however, the remote area and harsh winter made for a tough assignment and one that the family did not enjoy. During the winter our house was snowed almost shut several times and we had to remove the snow off the roof three times due to the weight. Snow off of Lake Superior is heavy and comes down in large amounts. While here I was sent to Las Vegas, Nevada for six weeks duty on the range. Sharon and the kids flew out on December 21, 1974 and we spent the next eight days with our friends we had made while serving in Germany, Homer and Ethel Kelley, their children Denise and Tommy. We had a great time visiting Las Vegas and arrived back at Finland on News Years Eve. Seen some great winter scenery on the return trip as I had driven out and we traveled back by car. States visited included Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. In June 1975, my brother Tommy Watts and his family came for a visit and my Mother and Father traveled with them. This family visit was a great experience for all of us. We fished and went site seeing for the bear and moose. Late May 1975 we were offered reassignment due to my selection for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant. We choose the 770th Radar Squadron at Fort George Mead, Maryland as this was close to our families in West Virginia. We departed on August 1, 1975, stopping for a short family visit in West Virginia while en route.

We arrived at the 770th Radar Squadron around August 8th, spent a few days in Army guest quarters than moved into Army Government Housing on Fort Meade. This was a good location for us as we were near our extended families for the first time in over eight years. We did a lot of site seeing and visiting with our families in West Virginia. This assignment lasted for a little over three years for Sharon and the children. October 14, 1976, I was reassigned to the 795th AC&W Squadron, Cape Romanzof, Alaska. Fortunately we had just purchased our own home at 1866 Montreal Road, Severn, Maryland and had completed the move from government housing in middle September, 1976. Sharon and the children lived here while I spent the next ten and half months on the Bearing Sea. I did get a short leave after four months to be home with the family. Sharon was working full time to support our living standards and this separation was a huge burden for her during this time. It just is not easy to work full time and be both mother and father for two teenage children. Additionally, she took care of all my normal home, house and family duties. She really performed great taking exceptional care of our family and home. We were very lucky as I was reassigned to the 770th Radar Squadron returning home on August 31, 1977. I think it was a tie as to who was the happiest that we were back together. It sure was a great feeling to be with Sharon again and she returned the same feelings to me. This separation and reunion reminded me how truly great and wonderful the young girl I had married really was. Additionally, it was much better for our children as we could be together as a family again. We continued to serve at the 770th until September 30, 1978; thus, being our last day of active duty with the United States Air Force. Sharon and I retired on October 1st, 1978. The Air Force was very good to Sharon, myself and the family and we left with our thanks for all we took with us. A great education for me, world wide travels for the family, memories and friends beyond belief and a check for past services on the first day of each month for life.

Late September, 1978, I accepted a Field Engineering position with Telex Computer Products, Inc. in Columbia, South Carolina. We placed our home on the market, took a fast trip to Columbia and purchased a new home in Columbia. I attended training in Tulsa, Oklahoma with Telex from October 10 to October 31, 1978. We packed up our household items and the family left Maryland on November 3rd, 1978 for Columbia, South Carolina. As we moved into our new home at 308 Sheridan Drive we also started our new career in the business world. We rapidly settled in Columbia and the area grew on us. Close to the water and mountains with mostly summer, spring or fall weather year round. Very little winter. Sharon traveled with me on many business trips and we also took many private vacations including family visits to West Virginia. We visited all of the south eastern states many times, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisanna, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. October, 1981, for our twentieth wedding anniversary we visited Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas Islands. Cruised on the SS Emerald Seas. My mother (Frances Watts) and our son (Glenn) joined us for a great sea vacation. In September, 1983, Sharon was able to take a ten day tour of Hawaii. Sure made me feel good, when she returned home and told me she had a great time and would go again if I would go with her. In February, 1985 we visited our son in San Antonio, Texas and returned to New Orleans for business and pleasure.

April 1985, Sharon lost her younger brother Charles and after his funeral on April 29 she had to drag me to the Oakland Memorial Hospital, Oakland, Maryland. As always she was looking out for me and her actions saved my life. I had colon surgery on May 1, 1985 and wore the bag until November 13, 1985 when the reconnect was performed.

October, 1986, we took a second cruise on the SS Norway for our twenty fifth wedding anniversary. This trip was not near as enjoyable as the previous cruise. The cruise line did not live up to their billing. My sister Sheila and her husband Larry Harr joined us. We visited St. Maarten and St. Thomas Islands plus Nassau with a private out island stop over. We met Lew Burdette the base ball hall of Famer from Nitro, W.Va. on this trip. Summer of 1991 I went on a short business trip to Cancun, Mexico and Sharon joined me after three days for an additional five day vacation for us. Seems the civilian world provided us with great travels as the Air Force had.

February 1990 through 1998 I had the NASCAR stock car racing bug. Sharon and I made the Daytona 500 week an annual event for visiting with our friends Homer and Ethel Kelly. A week of racing will hold you for a year. Then start all over.

I worked for Telex Corporation and Memorex-Telex Corporation until August 8th, 1994. During this time Sharon worked for York Tape and Label for a little over five years.

It is October 17, 2003 about 7:00 AM, EST. After many years of talking and planning Sharon and I are departing on our extended sight seeing tour of the North, North-West and Western States. Our first two days will be hard driving as we have visited these areas before. We leave Columbia, SC via I-20 to I-26 traveling north to Asheville, NC, and take I-40 to Knoxville, TN and I-75 north to Lexington, KY. Now it is I-64 to Louisville, KY, Evansville, IN stopping for the night at Mount Vernon, Illinois. October 18, up early crossing the Mississippi River by the arch at St. Louis, MO., taking I-70 to Kansas City, MO. swinging into Kansas as we circle Kansas City to see the NASCAR Track and view the Cabelles outdoor outlet. Into Iowa via I-29, north by Nebraska and on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 19, up early, to view the sun rise over the Sioux Falls and then heading west on I-90. Stopping at Mitchell, SD to view the corn palace and the home of Cabelles. On to the Misouri river with a great view of some great scenery. Heading into the Badlands National Park for a wild time with unreal scenery. Leaving the park at Wall, SD and moving on to Rapid City, SD leading to Keystone, SD. We visit Mount Rushmore and remain for the night lighting of the mountain. Stay overnight in Keystone, SD. October 20, we drive through the black hills and Custer state park prior to visiting the Crazy Horse work in progress. Seen the Buffalo, Big Horn Sheep and many of the other smaller animals. We head north on SD route 85 seeing many antelope en route to Bowman, ND where we head west on US 12. We stop for a road side picnic in Montana and than on to Miles City, MT and take I-94 to Billings, Montana. On October 21 we head for Cody, Wyoming via Hwy 212, than Hwy 308 where we see an old mining town, then Hwy 72 to Wyoming Hwy 120 and Cody, WY. We than head for Yellowstone National Park via Hwy 20. We travel the park highway system exiting at the north exit into Gardiner, MT. We seen all of the Yellowstone sites with a great view of Old Faithful and many geysers. Plus the Elk and Buffalo. Spend the night in Gardiner, MT. October 22, we travel Hwy 89 to Livingston, MT and take I-94 to Missoula, MT. We take Hwy 93 south to Hwy 12 and head into Idaho along the Lewis and Clark Trail. We travel through the Clearwater National Forest to Kooskia, Idaho taking Hwy 13 to Grangeville, Idaho where we spend the night. We take a ride to visit Cottonwood, Idaho. Sure has changed over the past Forty years; but, still looked small town and a friendly town. October 23, at last we are riding down White Bird summit on Hwy 95. I had told Sharon for ever she would ride down White Bird with me. We cross both the salmon and snake rivers riding around the outer rim of hells canyon. At Weiser we take Hwy 201 to I-84 and head to Hermiston, Oregon, where we take I-82 north to Kennewick, Washington, taking Hwy 395 to Mesa, Washington and than Hwy 17 to Moses Lake and on to Coulee City, Washington. Hwy 155 to Grand Coulee where we spent the night at the dam on the Columbia River. October 24, Sharon's birthday, we get a great sun rise view of the Dam area and than back track on Hwy 155 with a short stop to look over Blue Lake. (My old Trout Fishing lake) We leave Ephrata on Hwy 283 to I-90 to Ellensburgh where we take Hwy 821 down through the Yakima Valley to Yakima. Than I-82 to Hwy 92 and head toward the Oregon Border. We get a tour of the Yakama Indian Reservation and great views of Mount Rainer, Mount Adams, Mount Hood and what remains of Mount Saint Helen. At the Oregon Border we take I-84 by The Dulles toward Portland. We stop for a tour of Horsetails water falls and Multhoma water falls. Had a great view of the Steel head Trout spawning. We go around Portland taking I-5 south to Albany, Oregon for the night. October 25, we travel I-5 to Grants Pass, Oregon where we take Hwy 199 to Crescent City, California and take Hwy 101 down the coast line with many stops to view the Pacific Ocean and all of the Redwood Groves driving through Redwood National Park. Finally we have seen the Big Redwood Trees and they are huge. After seeing the California Elk at Elk meadow, we stop for the night at Eureka, California. October 26, more ocean and Redwoods plus we get to see many grape fields. We arrive for a short tour of the Golden Gate bridge prior to crossing the bridge. A short ride in San Francisco and across the Oakland Bay bridge where we take I-580 to I-5 and than to Merced, California for the night. October 26 we take Hwy 140 to Hwy 40 and enter Yosemite National Park via Hwy 41, the south entrance. We visit a large grove of the Great Sequoia Trees and than travel Yosemite Valley back to Hwy 140 and travel through the park going over the high Sierra Mountains and into Nevada taking Hwy 395 to Carson City, on to Reno where we check into the Atlantis Casino Resort for three days. Time to rest and get the car serviced. October 28 we do a tour of Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe, California area. A great day for us as this is forty two years of being together. October 29 we spend most of our time relaxing around the Atlantis Resort with a short tour of Reno, NV.

October 30, time to start the return trip toward home. We head east on I-80. Around freezing this AM with snow flurries, the first cold weather we have encountered. The more east we go, the more snow and sleet we meet up with. We reach Elko, Nevada and head to the Commercial hotel/Casino for brunch and a look at the largest Polar Bear taken on the North American continent, known as the Legendary White King. Two tons, 10 foot, 4 inch long. Taken in the Arctic Ocean near Point Hope, Alaska by native Eskimos. After a short visit we head on to Salt Lake City, Utah. Visit the Bonnellvile salt flats. As we get to the Great Salt Lake, snow and sleet is quite heavy so we by pass the lake and start south on I-15. We spent the night just south of Salt Lake City. October 31, up early, still quite cold with slight snow flurries. We head south on I-15 for the Grand Canyon. Warms up as we get closer to the Border. We exit I-20 on Hwy 17 to Hurricane, Utah taking Hwy 59 to Hwy 389 to Alterant Hwy 89 to Hwy 89 to Cameron, Arizona where we take Hwy 84 right into the Grand Canyon. We exit the Canyon on Hwy 180 spending the night in Tusayan, Arizona. Having circled the eastern part of the canyon, we head back into the Canyon on November 1. We get a great view of the sun rise over Mather Point. One look and you know why it is named THE GRAND CANYON. After several hours, we head south on Hwy 180 to Hwy 64 and start east on I-40. We view the Painted Cliffs and than stop for the night at Gallup, New Mexico. November 2, we remain on I-40 crossing New Mexico and Texas with a few site seeing stops. One being the Cadillac Farm west of Amarillo, Texas from the TV hit show Route 66. We spend the night in Elk City, Oklahoma. November 3, we get on the fast track as we are now crossing country that we have traveled through several times. We stop for the night at Forrest City, Arkansas. We stay on I-40 to Nashville, Tennessee. We stop for brunch at Loretta Lynn's Kitchen at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. We take a by pass around Nashville to Alterant Hwy 41 to Tullahoma, Tennessee. We will spent a few days with our long time friends Homer and Ethel Kelley. November 7, we finally start the last leg as we leave Tullahoma and connect with I-24 to I-75 to Atlanta, Georgia and then I-20 to Columbia, SC. We arrive home around four in the afternoon. What a trip! We have now seen most of this great country the United States of America. 26 states in 22 days. We have five New England area states to visit. This is the longest time Sharon and I have ever been alone together without any other person we know being around. Without a doubt another great time for us. It is great we still enjoy being alone for extended periods of time.

Late April 2004, we join up with Sharon's brother Bill Hartman and wife Irene for a visit and tour of the Pigeon Forge area of Eastern Tenn. Great time. June 2004, Bill and Irene, my brother Gilbert Watts and wife Faye and their grandson Michael join up with Sharon and I at Myrtle Beach, SC for a great visit.

December 2nd, 2005, Sharon's Brother Bill Hartman and wife Irene arrive at our home in Columbia, SC. We spend December 3rd repacking, packing and going over details for a ten day visit to the Hawaiian Island Oahu. We depart on December 4th to Houston, Texas, changing planes to Honolulu, Hawaii. Rent a car and head for our cabin on the beach. We spend the next ten days traveling the Island by car, bus, helicopter and some by boat.. Sharon finally got her chopper ride. We seen it all, had a great time and made the reverse trip, returning to Columbia, the afternoon of December 15th.