My goal, hope and desire writing under the banner of “Observations from Flyover Country” is to promote dialog and discussion. In my opinion, free speech is stifled on many college campuses and by the “PC police”. I do not advocate hateful speech, but ideas and a difference of opinion respectfully stated should not scare anyone. Below is a little about who I am and where I come from.
I was born in Gresham, Wisconsin, a very small farming and logging community in North Central Wisconsin. My father was divorced, so we lived with Grandpa and Grandma on the Kucksdorf homestead farm in the Town of Herman.
I started my education in a one-room school. Mrs. Olson was the only teacher for grades 1 – 6. My father got remarried, bought a different farm, and we moved closer to Shawano WI. I attended another one- room school in 6th grade. In the 7th grade I attended Shawano Junior High School. I went from one -room schools to a school with over 600 kids. It was very loud and intimidating for a shy country boy.
In 1972 I graduated from Shawano High School. I did not know what I was going to do beyond high school so I enlisted into the United States Army. I started my college education while serving on active duty, graduating in 1993. After my three years on active military service I came back home to Shawano, Wisconsin, and had various general labor jobs. In 1984 I joined the Wisconsin National Guard.
I got married in 1978, purchased a home, and was blessed with the births of Amber and Michael. Many times I worked three jobs but continued to pursue a college degree. I graduated in 1993 and received a BS in Business Administration and an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. In 2009, I was accepted into a Master’s program at the United States Army War College. In July 2010 received a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies.
During my time in the military I lived from the East Coast to the West Coast and many states in between. I was privileged to live and work around the world. I loved my time volunteering to teach English at a Korean orphanage that my military unit supported. While in Germany I got to interact with the locals, being invited to meals where the entire village came out and participated. In Iraq I got to know many of the school age children as well as the Village Elders. I found the Elders were very intelligent and had a wealth of world knowledge and understanding. In Germany, Korea and Iraq I found that everyone wants the same general goals for their families that Americans desire for their families. How each of us achieves these goals differs just as it differs across America. One big advantage we have in America is that we have the U.S. Constitution as our guide. I am most humbled to have started my military career as a private and retired a Full Colonel.
As a postmaster I worked in many communities in North Central Wisconsin and always pursued the local history. By learning what made each community unique and special I was rewarded by getting to know the local people that made that community what it is. I have always been amazed at group norms in various parts of the country. For example the strong feelings regarding guns differ greatly around the country. When I was working in a small community in Northern Wisconsin a lady in the lobby was complaining to two gentlemen about a bear eating the seeds from her bird feeder. Two neighbors discussed shooting the bear or scaring it away with guns. In certain parts of the country this type of public discussion would never happen but was very normal for this community. This innocent discussion also demonstrates part of the cultural chasm that exists and is a clear example of why Washington D.C should not make the rules. Government belongs with the people at the local level.
With these world and life experiences behind me I wish to share my thoughts and opinions under the banner of “Observations from Fly-over Country”. The ultimate goal is not about me but to promote discussion, so I invite you to discuss and share.