I was born on Wednesday, May 6, 1953 in Greenville, Alabama as Gerald Roy Armstrong.
My parents were Gerald Ray Armstrong and June Lynette Hall.
My father was a pipe fitter at a shipyard in Mississippi, then a plumber in Alabama and Florida, and then became a crop-duster in Alabama and Florida.
My mother worked as a seamstress in Florida and beautician instructor in Alabama.
Due to my fathers work we moved several times. The places we lived b before I left home for the U.S. Air Force were: Greenville, AL, Plymouth, MI, Prichard, AL, Jay, FL, Robertsdale, AL, Millbrook, AL, and Elmore, AL.
I graduated from Edgewood Academy in Wetumpka, AL in 1971. Completed several college level computer courses.
Joined the U.S. Air Force on July 6, 1972.
Attended ATC Ground Radio Equipment Repairman School in Keesler AFB, MS in 1972.
My first assignment in 1973 was AFCS 1973rd Communications Squadron Maxwell AFB, AL.
On February 15, 1974 married Paula Yvette Crawford from Prattville, AL. Lived in Prattville and then moved to Montgomery. Ran a electronic repair shop out of our home as a second job.
My son Bryan Michael was born on July 16, 1974 at the Maxwell AFB Hospital.
My second assignment in 1976 was SAC 1st Combat Evaluation Group Det4, Bann B, Ramstein AB, Germany. Lived in Vogelweh housing near Kaiserslautern. Worked a part time job as Manager of Ramstein’s Skating Rink manager.
My daughter Bridget Yvette was born on January 2, 1979 at the 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
My next assignment in 1980 was ESC E&I Squadron Kelly AFB, TX. Lived in San Antonio. Worked part time at Radio Shack.
My next assignment in 1983 was AFCC 2166th Communications Squadron RAF Alconbury, UK. Lived in Yaxley near Peterborough.
While stationed at RAF Alconbury I designed and built a mobile control tower to be used if main tower is damaged.
In 1985 the High Frequency Communications Site I was in charge of was stated by the Management Effectiveness Inspection team to be the Best in Europe.
Was nominated for a STEP promotion to E-6 TSgt.
My next assignment in 1987 was 2nd Combat Communications Group (2nd MOB) Patrick AFB, FL. Lived in Palm Bay.
In 1989 I received a surprise phone call from Ernie Badman, a fellow airman that I worked with and helped train while stationed at RAF Alconbury. Ernie was at the end of his tour with the USAF Thunderbirds and had recommended to his superiors that I replace him. The thunderbirds had an upcoming airshow in Kissimmee, so Ernie arranged for me to be their guest for the weekend. I got to meet most of the enlisted guys and some of the officers on the trip. Spent one day with them at Disney during a photo shoot, received flightline passes for the airshow, and received the recruiting speech from the First Sergeant. In the end I had to turn down the opportunity due to family commitments but being recommended was quite an honor and it was an amazing weekend that I will never forget.
While assigned to the 2nd MOB I was awarded NCO of the Quarter twice.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1994 I worked for CompUSA/Computer City.
Started worked at United Space Alliance at Kennedy Space Center in 1995 as a subcontractor with Creative Management Technology.
In 2002 won Appreciation Award as PC Technician Project Manager from Creative Management Technology.
In 2003 won Outstanding Service Award from Creative Management Technology.
In 2005 won Employee of the Year from Creative Management Technology.
Started working for Delaware North at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center in 2011.
Started working for AAR Airlift in Melbourne, FL in 2013.
Wife passed from cancer on February 4, 2014.
Retired in 2015.