I'm the 4th of 8 children and grew up on a dairy farm in Nebraska. Still hate to get up early in the morning!

My wife and I have 4 great kids. One is an Army combat medic - she is due to deploy to Iraq in December. One is a sophomore in college - he wants to be a financial planner. One is a sophomore in high school - he plays second base for the high school baseball team! One is a 7th grader - she shows her Papillon at area AKC dog shows. My wife is smart, beautiful and plays a terrific piano.

I love... classical and bluegrass music... reading as much history as I can... black and white movies (especially Bogart and Harold Lloyd)... submarines... woodworking... and more.

It would be fair to say I am politically, socially and religiously conservative though I enjoy talking with people who disagree as long as they will be agreeable about it. However, I don't have much tolerance for factual and logical sloppiness.

My passion is ...

History...baseball...B&W movies...Bluegrass... Woodworking

I know too much about ...

World War II naval battles - especially involving submarines

My parents always told me ...

To get up and milk the cows. Not really bad advice even today!

My childhood ambition ...

Play baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals

My favorite memory ...

Watching my wife walk toward me down the aisle

Why I write ...

To help people think

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Barbara Tuchmann, Martin Gilbert, Bogart and Ricky Skaggs

My first job ...

First Job: Milking Cows - First Paid Job: Assistant Bee Keeper

My best moment ...

Right NOW! It's the only one I can live in!

My inspiration ...

July 3, 1979 - I learned about grace that evening

Society & Lifestyle > Political Values Parents: Would you send your child off to war?

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Not only would I send my child off to war, I AM sending my child off to war. My daughter is a 21-year old Army Specialist serving as a Combat Medic about to be deployed to Iraq later this year.

Yes, I am concerned about her well-being. It is dangerous business and I pray often for her safety, the safety of our other soldiers and wisdom for those who give leadership to our soldiers. But it is dangerous to live and one ought not stop attempting great and noble things because of hazard.

I am proud of my daughter. The challenge of service is leading her to accomplish things I honestly did...

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