Staddling the Atlantic or How I got to Where I am At.
I was born,in Dublin, Texas in 1949, along with my identical twin brother, Lynn Monroe, who past away the day after our birth. I spent most of my childhood days in Dublin, and Erath County.
Then in 1960, our Family moved South, about 30 miles outside of Corpus Christi, to the County Seat of San Patricio County, Sinton, Texas. This is where I spent my teenage years. I was elected Class Favorite my Senior Year (thanks Tony ), and graduated with the last Senior Class to graduate from the Old Sinton High School, in 1967. I also, joined the Air Force in that fateful year, and just look at where it has taken me.
While serving in the USAF, I have lived in Denver, Colorado, San Bernadino, California, Binh Thuy, Vietnam, Havre, Montana, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, San Michelle Salintino, and San Vito Dei Normandi in Italy, Jacksonville, Arkansas, Maarsenbrook, Soesterburg, and Bunschoten, in The Netherlands.
I met Marga Beukeboom, a Dutch Lady, while stationed in the Netherlands. We were the last ones to be married in the older Bunschoten Gemeentehuis, when we married on August 14, 1987. We both have children from our first marriages. I have Three Sons, Tom, John, and Kenneth, and Marga has a Daughter Zoe, and a Son Benjamin.
After 21 years in the United States Air Force, I retired as a Master Sergeant, at the rank of E-7, in 1989. I am a Vietnam War Veteran, having served one Tour of Duty there, from August 1969 to August 1970. During the time I served in the Air Force, and even now, I still continue to Straddled the Atlantic Ocean, and have done so many times, but the Pacific only once, which was for the one year I spent in the ‘Nam.
After retirement from the Air Force, I have lived both in Texas, and The Netherlands (Holland). After I had traveled back and forth a few times, we both moved to 13130 Humphrey Drive in Austin, Texas in 1994. We both worked for Apple Computer initially, then she for Tivoli / IBM, and I for Motorola.
You know someone said the best house we had was on Nijkerkerweg 4, in Bunschoten, The Netherlands, …. Ahhha.. WRONG ! The best house we had was at 13130 Humphrey Dr. , in Austin, Texas. (see Photo Above)
In March of 1999, Benjamin was diagnosed with Cancer. In early 2000, he wanted to go back to his Homeland. So we sold all we had, and moved back to Amersfoort, The Netherlands, in August 2000.
After his passing in 2002, we moved to Hilversum, and as of April 2006, we have moved back to Amersfoort. Both cities are located in The Netherlands.
There have been and will be good times, and bad times, and as you can see a lot of flight time. Regardless of the travel time, and all the places I have lived, my Heart and Soul is, and Always will be, in Texas.
I still travel back across the Atlantic, with frequent visits and extended stays with Family and Friends, in Austin, Burnet, Commanche, Dallas, Dublin, and Glen Rose, Texas, just to name a few.
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© 2006 Texas Tortilla Factory – Mike Vauthier