I hold a bachelor's degree from Saint Michael's College, Colchester, Vermont. I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1975 and attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. A career military officer, I transferred to the U.S. Army rolls in 1981 where I later gained extensive experience in plans, operations, and training. Among my many assignments, I served with distinction as a UH-60 Blackhawk battalion commander and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.  I have piloted numerous military jets and helicopters, including the T-33, EB-57, AH-1, UH-1, and UH-60 and was inducted into the Order of Daedalians. A civilian pilot and flight instructor as well, I am a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Following my retirement in 2000, I relocated to Georgia and currently make my home near Dobbins ARB outside of Atlanta. What's my motivation for writing?  It’s fun!  While in college, I began to write poems and short stories.  Most have been lost in various moves from place to place.  However, I still have a tattered old manila folder filled with a few of my surviving favorites tucked inside.  Periodically, I’ll pull the folder out and leaf through the poems, reading one or two for old time’s sake. The art of story telling is an old one.  I describe it to people as painting a picture with words.  I enjoy putting words on paper and get immense satisfaction in seeing my stories take shape as the characters come to life and interact.  Being able to use words to convey feelings and emotions, create empathy or dislike for a character, or construct an image of a place or thing in the mind’s eye is a powerful tool and foundation of the writer’s craft.  I view my work as an intricately woven “magic carpet” that can whisk my reader anywhere I want him or her to go with the stroke of my pen (okay, keyboard).