[Myrddin]

I grew up in a Navy family. The first place I remembered well was Imperial Beach, CA when I was 3. Next stop was Honolulu, HI via ship from San Francisco. I turned 5 on the trip. Next time it was Chula Vista, CA at age 7. A year later, Federal Way, WA. The next year, Chula Vista again. Next year was divided for 5th grade between Norfolk, VA and Springfield, VA. We stayed in Springfield until halfway through 7th grade, then back to Chula Vista. We didn't move again. I finished junior high, high school, college at UCSD, grad school at SDSU. Stability was nice for a change.

I didn't subject my sons to moving. They mostly grew up in Mira Mesa. Plenty of diversity in the community. My middle son is fluent in Spanish just from his association with friends in the neighborhood. Unlike my father spending months at sea with the Navy, I was frequently traveling for business around the US and Europe. My sons didn't experience having a move of the household until 2000 when we left from San Diego for our final location in Pocatello, ID.

Good write-up on your family experiences. Being in a military family brings a unique set of disruptions to family life.

[Prince of Space]

I always felt special going on base to the PX or the Commissary with my mom, the NCO Club, or the movie theatre. I remember when they took the flag down in the afternoons & everyone stopped in their tracks with their hand over their heart while the bugle played through the loudspeaker al over the base. It’s something many ppl have never experienced & I feel privileged to have known that life.