Donald Gagnon I joined the Navy in September 1966

Donald Gagnon

I joined the Navy in September 1966 and was stationed in Pensacola, FL, attached to a special service division as a Damage Controlman (I took green fees on a golf course and cut the grass as one of my duties). Cross rated to the Seabees while in FL. They told me I could not change my designated rating HA HA! Made construction man E-3 while in FL, then went on leave to Rhode Island and took the test for BU-4 and passed. I then transferred to Port Hueneme in late 1967, right after the Battalion came back from Dong Ha. Trained like all good bees do while in the states, it was great living in Oxnard. I went over to Quang Tri in 1968 and later made BU-2. I worked with the best. After over 30 years and a little smarter - got my degree in Architectural Engineering and had my own business (construction co. and taught a carpenter apprentices for ten years) and later superintendent of construction for several years. I now find myself as the Chief of Building Inspections here in the city of Woonsocket, RI. I plan on retiring in 3-4 years and may go back into teaching or building code consulting. The Seabees gave me one thing among many, that is the will to set goals and achieve them. God Bless America and to all my Brother Seabees, look forward to hearing from my fiends from the past.