I was born in Texas into an Army family. We moved quite a few times until we settled in Orlando Florida. I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1976 on delayed entry program then went to Boot Camp in beautiful Parris Island, South Carolina in October 1977. I left the Marine Corps in December 1982 after attaining the Rank of Sargent. I landed in the Tampa, Florida area for a couple years where I drove a truck cross country for H. L. Stansell out of Palm Harbor. Moved to Orlando, Florida in 1984, joined the Navy in October 1985 as an airman E-1, off to Boot Camp again, LOL! Enjoyed 14 years active duty and visited many places, served in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Kuwait Liberation campaigns as a MH53-E Helicopter Crew chief. Retired in 1999 an AMH1 with a total of 20 years active duty. Settled in Panama City, Florida where I met my beautiful wife Shelley “Toto” Hickman. We raised four boys, they are out of the house and have been replaced by five K-9 rescues. The boys are spread out, one lives in Crane, Indiana and is a Computer Scientist with SAIC. One lives in Palm Bay, Florida and is an Aerospatiale Engineer with Northrup Grumman. One lives in Seattle, Washington and is a Service Writer for a local Harley Davidson Dealer. One lives in Dallas, Texas and is the Director of Therapy at a local Nursing Home. I Recently retired from a Civil service position and moved to Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Joined the Defenders LE/MC in 2007 with the Panama City, Florida Chapter. Both Toto and I are life members. I was Chapter Secretary from 2011 to February 2021. I was elected National Major in March 2021. I am the newest member of the National Board.
I currently ride a 2013 Harley Davidson Anniversary CVO Road Glide. As quoted by Houdini: “Because nothing rides like a Glide!” I also Ride a 2020 Harley Davidson CVO Tri-Glide for those Two-Up rides with Toto.
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