I joined the Navy in 1963 after graduating from high school. I was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga. I served three combat tours to Vietnam, I was discharged from active duty in 1967, joined the naval reserve flying as an aircrewman on Lockheed P-3 Orion's out of Pt Mugu, CA. Attained the rank of CPO. Retired 1993. I worked for the federal government as an Ammunition Specialist (QASAS), retiring in 2007. Served in Afghanistan at Camp Salerno. I felt symptoms of ALS in 2009, confirmed in 2014. I have lost mobility and speech, but walk with a walker. Attitude is great.