Homecoming and Reflections

I flew in with approximately 200 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for up to one year.

A flight that I barely made (Space-A), and one that I didn't expect to make turned out to be the highlight of my trip.

It was an honor flying with my brothers and sisters back home. And it was a great honor being in the receiving line of the best, most heart-felt welcoming I've ever witnessed in my 20 years of service.

What a wonderful way to come home after the whirlwind tour of Europe and a fantastic way to end my Navy career.

I am reaching a significant milestone in my life – 20 years of service to my country and the military. During my career in the Navy, I have had tremendous exposure to a wide variety of cultures and political landscapes. For example, I have deployed aboard several warships, served as the public affairs officer aboard a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and have been stationed in Japan, the land of my Grandmother.

Furthermore, I have been deployed three times to the Middle East and have visited many interesting places, on the edge of danger, on the edge of diplomacy, on the edge of the world -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Israel, and Afghanistan, to name just a handful.

I couldn't believe my fate. After traveling to six continents and over 40 countries all throughout my scattered career. The military taught me to become well versed in the international dialogue. I was often put on the front lines, sometimes without much preparation, as the Navy’s or even DoD's go-to-person when the public seeks an official statement of the military’s opinion on many hot button and newly emerging global issues. From Guantanamo to Asia Pacific to Latin America, I have served and represented the Navy and the Department of Defense on many issues over the years and have been put on the hot seat several times to discuss highly-visible issues.

Now, I start school on Sunday and will sit in the safe confines of a classroom and learn mostly from a textbook, not from a field manual

It had been a very long 17 years since I stepped foot in a university, backpack over my shoulder and yelled for the home team at the "Swamp" at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida.

Now I would be a Colonial, back to school at 42. Would I fit in? Would I fall out?

I thank my Country for the great, diverse people I have faithfully served.

And thank you sincerely to everyone who helped and supported me, especially Operation Welcome Home for giving our Heroes (and me) the welcome that they (we) truly deserve.

Berlin

The Bradenberg Gate is a former city gate and one of the main symbols of Berlin and Germany.

In 1963 President Kennedy visited the Gate
In 1987, President Reagan demanded that President Gorbachev tear down this Wall

The Fall in 1989

The Berliner Dome

This is where many Berliners call home

It is located adjacent to Lust Garden

A sanctuary for arts and science, that's why Berliners call this Museum Island.

I'm standing in Pottsdam Platz, embracing the Berlin Wall
For 30 years, the wall stood impenetrable, so long, so tall
The wounds inflicted here were so painful, so deep
Scars that will never go away, memories that we will always keep

* Between 1949 and 1961, nearly 2.5 million East Germans left to start new lives in the West.

Here we are in the center of history for Prussia and Germany, the Brandenburg Gate

Sitting on top of the Wall is the Quadriga, a symbol of triumph of peace not war and hate

In 1987, President Reagan ordered Gorbachev to "Tear down the Wall."

Two years later, citizens from both the east and west passed through, the beginning of a reunited Germany and democracy for all.

The Jewish Memorial

Alexanderplatz

On 4 November 1989, the largest demonstration in Germany

They wanted democracy now

They made it perfectly clear

Crossroads to Europe

This August, I am arriving at a critical and important juncture in my life.  I am completing 20 years active duty in the Navy.  This wonderful journey in my life started in 1984 when I enlisted right out of high school.  I have travelled extensively while in the Navy, but never have gone overseas by myself for personal reasons.

After 20 years in service and 10 years as a public affairs officer, I am also hanging up my hat and transitioning to the civilian sector.

First, I am returning to school to George Washington University to pursue an MBA.

Because of this critical juncture and life-changing transition, I decided to take a journey overseas to explore both the surroundings and the inner reaches of my quest.

This is what I aspire to do

• I want to visit several countries including countries in Eastern Europe.
• I want to travel from one body of water to another (south to north or vice versa)
• I want to enjoy the Eurorail experience (that means to minimize traveling by air)
• I want to stay primarily at Hostels to meet people and to experience what it is like to backpack through Europe on a shoestring budget.
• I want to use this time to reflect on my life and to focus on what's important and to understand the true lessons I can really gain from this experience
• Besides a basic plan on where I want to go, I don't really have the entire trip mapped out.  I just want to live one day at a time to travel and to explore and I only need to return in time to start my residency at GW by Sunday, Aug 16th.
• I want to document this experience with social media (such as this blog, create videos to post on Youtube and Microblog (Facebook and Twitter)
• I want to run, swim, and/or bike in each of the major cities (to see more, and to train for the Half Ironman in Cancun on Sept 20).