Joe Neal
Post date: May 3, 2011 8:28:35 PM
Classmates,
Hello. It’s been 40 years and awhile since we have seen each other. Although I attended an earlier reunion I look forward to seeing you guys again. Although I did not have that many years with you at the Prep it is those years that I cherish the most.
Upon graduating from Seton Hall I entered the Army with my first duty station at Fort Huachuca Arizona as a Military Intelligence officer. After the basic course I was stationed at Ft Bragg North Carolina assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps tactical intelligence battalion. I was a young green lieutenant with a bunch of grown Non Commissioned Officers that taught me the ropes. I bought a lot of beer to learn how the Army did business. So afterwards I was stationed at Ft Rucker Alabama as a flight student so to become an Army Aviator. I married shortly before attending flight school and my wife, a graduate of St Vincent’s Academy presented me with a son. Joseph Edrick is a school teacher in Fredericksburg Virginia, married to Alison and had a two year son, Joseph Cooper. Don’t worry he’s not country like his grand-papa. My second son, Jason Evan resides in San Antonio Texas and works for the Army’s Contracting Command. After flight school I returned to the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division where I enjoyed flying and jumping out of airplanes and helicopters. I am rated in UH-1s, Blackhawks, U-21s and C-12 King Airs. Other assignments included Korea, Germany and travel the world as an Army Inspector General. I was flying a mission when the wall came down in Germany. I commanded two companies and an aviation rifle platoon at Ft Bragg. I served with a number of great officers and one that they made a movie about, “Blackhawk Down”... great movie, fine General. The most exciting thing that happened to me while serving was flying across the Alps, being shadowed by a MIG from North Korea. Jumping out of a C-130 for the first time with my eyes closed (better known as a night jump during the day), what the hell was I thinking, and being assigned in the Pentagon where I flew Generals and support the Boy Scouts of America and toured the Gettysburg civil war grounds from the air.
I completed my Military career in the Pentagon serving with the Army Reserves, the Army’s Chief Information Office and the Army’s Operations readiness office. Upon retiring from the military I became a “Beltway Bandit” better known as a Defense contractor. I worked for a total of 5 private companies before accepting the position of the Secretary of the General Staff with Headquarters, Installation Management Command that is now located in San Antonio Texas.
My blessings – as much as I prepared to become a war fighter I was detailed to do many other things. I was on vacation when the airplane hit the Pentagon I would have been in the area where the jet hit. My sons being the men they are today and knowing you guys.
What saddens me – the death of my parents and my youngest sister, Patricia. The passing of some of our classmates.
Well, that it a simple life. If you are ever in Texas look me up but my plans are to chill in Cape Coral Florida to fish and enjoy life! Peace brothers.