23 Years of Marriage!

23 years of marriage:

Married at the Stanwood Apple Orchard in Stanwood Washington

on August 3^rd 1991. 

It was a simple country wedding;

Yet beautiful.

I was an insulator then and a BM2 (Boatswainsmate Second Class)

in the Naval Reserves working for CHB5 (Cargo Handling Battalion 5).

In 1992 I became a cook and went to duty as a cook for a boarding team on the

USS Underwood FFG-36 and did boarding ops as well,

during the Counter Drug Operations in the Caribbean.

In the mean-time my wife, Jill, was moving all of our household goods to

Charleston South Carolina.

In 1993 I was assigned as a pantry cook on the

USS Richmond K. Turner CG-20

where I did a Mediterranean deployment.

My first son Timmy was born during this deployment.

It was one of my biggest joys to see him for the first time after the deployment.

In 1994 I was in operations in Bosnia;

Called Operation Provide Promise

And Operation Deny Flight.

I missed my son Timmy’s first birthday

And we celebrated it after I returned.

In 1995 I was assigned to LEAP (Light Exeo Atmospheric Projectile) test 3.

This was in San Juan Puerto Rico.

In 1996 I was promoted to Second Class Cook

And assigned as a Stateroom Supervisor on the

USS John C. Stennis CVN-74. 

In 1997 I was away from my family again on a Shakedown Cruise.

My wife was stuck at home taking care of the kids,

taking care of the finances,

And preparing for each move from ship to ship…
I know this was hard for her to do and my hats off to her. 

In 1998 I was assigned to the Auxiliary Security Force

in Newport Rhode Island. 

Finally some shore duty and family time.

My second son Kenneth was born that same year.
I was actually present at his birth.
This was a precious moment for me. 

Two years of well deserved shore duty.

In 2001 I was assigned as a Speed Line Supervisor on

the dreaded USS Belleauwood LHA-3.

In 2002 I was assigned as a Master at Arms for a roving patrol

during West Pac 2002.

That same year I helped build an orphanage in Africa,

during Humanitarian Ops.

In 2003 I injured my shoulder when a cabinet fell

during the dry dock maintenance period.

In 2004 I was promoted to Master at Arms first Class.

I worked as a Cell Block Supervisor in the Brig.

And I worked as an Acting Lieutenant during

Prison Escort and Detainee Ops in Kuwait and Iraq

and worked as a Security Officer during West Pac 2004.  

In 2005 I went to rehab at Great Lakes

and worked doing administration duties.

That same year we, my family and I, bought a house in Moline Illinois.

My dad, mom, Uncle Gary, brother in Law Kent, and Sister Tammy

All helped us move in.

In 2006 I temporarily worked as the Lieutenant

with the Naval Sea Cadet Core.

 

In 2007 I was at home awaiting retirement orders.

and happy to be settled down with my family finally.

In 2008 I went to work to make ends meet at Per Mar Security.

I only worked a few months and went back to college instead.

The GI Bill and the Illinois Veterans Grant was a big help in making ends meet.

In 2008 I received my AA Business Administration Degree from the

American Intercontinental University.

In 2009 I applied for disability for my knee, neck, right shoulder, tingling, shaking,

and equilibrium imbalance I have from injuries I have acquired over my Naval Career.

From 2008-2012 I taught private karate classes in my in house dojo;

The Kerofsky Family Dojo.  

In 2012 I earned my BA in Arts from Western Illinois University.

In 2013 I became an Official Sea Cadet Lieutenant

and worked as a Training Officer at Great Lakes Illinois.

In 2013 I earned my Masters in Arts from Regina University.

It is 2014 now and my wife and I are on our 23^rd year of marriage,

There was sure a lot of moving, transferring,

lot of time away from my family on deployments,

lot of hardships, but lots of fun times as well.

Fun times most remembered with my kids were at Disneyland

and Knott’s Berry Farm in California.

Going on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and

going on the Viper Roller Coaster.

This year my son Tim moved out of the house

To pursue college life with his girlfriend Rachel,
My wife got a medical coding certificate
and is now pursuing her degree. 

I retired from the Sea Cadet Core,

I honorary received a 7^th Dan rank promotion from Master Stevens

due to my community involvement in helping children,

I went on a trip to Cartagena Colombia to visit my sponsored child Jackleth

through the Children International and the Fundación Amigos de los Niño’s,

We got our roof repaired on our home, my dad, uncle and brother in law

fixed the kitchen ceiling which still needs plastered.

We are having some ups and downs this year, but will get through it.

Over the past few years since I have been retired from the Navy;

I have been trying to make up lost time with my wife and kids.

Especially my youngest son, Kenneth, who has taken things hard.

What a life together so far.

What will the next 23 years bring?