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How I got here, then and today: Meet @kujhawk1978 Jan 19 9:36pm | By John, Volunteer Mentor (@johnbishop)Comment receiving replies
It seems that Connect is reintroducing past participants who were featured in Spotlight. I enjoyed reading and was very much inspired by @kujhawk1978's interview. Would it be possible for the past participants to give us an update? I identified with the statement about your doctor telling you your diagnosis and asking, "Any questions?" Gee, brains go into shock - who can think? I love the photo taken at Crater Lake! Our medical challenges can define us; each of us is still the same person as before with a new dimension. It takes effort to not let these challenges define who we are even though medical care is the top story during a period of time.
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@walkinggirl
So, attached is my update...
I had labs on the 16th of January 2026, PSA .03 so stable, no change. That marks 20 months off treatment.
2025 was a good year, my wife and I took trios to Sedona, Rocky Mountain National Park and the area around Aspen.
We also didn't a week at Lake Tahoe with both daughters and one of the boyfriends.
2026 is iff to a good start, I retired on 8 January, some 47+ years after my commissioning ceremony at the University of Kansas, I end that part of my life's journey, 22+ years of active duty and 22+ years of government service, and take on retirement.
There is no way I can summarize those experiences... but, here it is...!
I am not sure the "FTA" or "fun, travel, adventure (the term FTA has other time tested meanings by Soldiers...) captures it.
For the first part of those 45+ years, the 22+ years of active duty part, as my father said in his letter, "Soldier", "I was that child" is an apt description.
The 2nd part, 22+ years of government service brought about a unique opportunity to improve training, education and leader development in Army schools throughout the United States and Europe where Soldiers trained to do what the nation asked, be successful!
It may seem old fashioned but in the end, as McArthur said so well in his speech to West Point, it was duty, honor, country...the ethos of selfless service, moral integrity (honor), and dedication to the nation that was the foundation for what I've done.
No regrets, only great satisfaction in the choices I made to get to this day.
Now, you ask about the next phase of this journey, what are your plans...!? Well, think my message on my New Year's resolution is a good starting point, "shorten the horizon..."
And I have the best partner to do it with, Petra, my wife of 36+ years.
On 16 February I turn 70, as Garth Brook says....
https://www.google.com/gasearch
Kevin