Over 23 Years of Contrast




      With the help of my dad, Russell, my mom, Vera gave birth to me in Waterbury, Connecticut, on December 6, 1961.  We lived in Watertown, where I attracted regular corporal punishment in the public schools.  I graduated (miraculously) from Watertown High School in 1979 after lettering multiple times in Track & Field and Football, and after rendering a less-than-stellar academic performance (I would have lettered in burn-out if the school had recognized that activity).  I played football my freshman year of college before enlisting in the 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, during the Iran Hostage Crisis. 

      After leading me back to faith in Him through several wake-up calls (in "gutters" of various sorts, of course), the Lord blessed me in 1987 with the absolutely unmerited gift of my wife while we both served in Germany, then Army Nurse, 1LT Barbara A. Sawyer (COL, AN, {Ret.}).  We have been married for 21 years and have 2 children: Benjamin Samuel (19), is a graduate of Damien and a Sophomore year in LCC's Culinary Arts program.  Annelise Eden (14) begins her freshman year at Punahou School in August.  I have ministerd for 22 years through the independent churches of Christ and remain endorsed by them to serve as an Army Chaplain.

 

Photo: Praying with Soldiers before an event during OIF deployment, April 2009.