The result is what you've seen here. As I've been told, it can only get better. Hopefully as my skills improve, so will this page.

I was born in Philadelphia PA in 1963. I lived in and around the Delaware Valley until 1983, when in pursuit of a college degree I moved to Florida. I remained there until I entered government service.

I joined the US Air Force on 21 March 1986. I completed my 6 weeks of basic training in Honor Flight 347 of the 3711th BMTS at Lackalnd AFB. The 3711th was one of the last "all male" BMT squadrons. Our nickname was "The Blue Marines" This was due to strict discipline, and esprit de corps.

I then went to Sheppard AFB where I was trained as a surgical services technician. Assignments in that career filed were at K.I. Sawyer AFB, and Langely AFB. I crosstrained into the communications/computer systems career field in 1990. I have served at Patrick AFB, Keesler AFB, and Camp Humphreys AIN, RoK, I have now been on active duty for 15 years, and with retirement approaching, I can say that so far it has been a fun ride!

I'm here at Ft. Meade Maryland and am assigned to the 91st Intelligence Squadron of the Air Intelligence Agency. I SHOULD be here for only another few months. However, like all things connected to the military is subject to change.

Click <"HERE"> To see the ugly mug of the guy what writes this stuff!

As you can probably tell, I have quite a few hobbies. My main hobby is the reason for this page. I also enjoy NASCAR Auto Racing, ECHL / AHL / NHL Hockey, and University of Florida Football (GO GATORS!!). I also dabble in the odd Civil War reenactment. My musical tastes run from classical to tejano. I also have a fasciantion with toy soldiers (especially the plastic ones of the 1950's, 1960's, & 1970's). I have a keen eye for history. intrests in that area are US Military History, and railroad / transportation history.

I started patch collecting in 1986 after joing the Air Force. My collection once numbered around 4,000 patches. This was my second collection. A great many folks helped me re-build it. However, due to some problems caused by some former "friends",I no longer collect military patches. More about that later. But suffice it to say that quite a few so called "collectors" have soured my taste for collecting these items. So in regards to this hobby, let's just say "Good Riddence to bad rubbish".

My THIRTEEN year old son is well on his way with a nice collection of Military,Police and Fire Department patches. But, like all collectors he is always looking for more! He is also VERY much into GI JOES, GUNDAM WING, Reading and MAD MAGAZINE although I don't know why. He played lacrosse this year and did very well for a mid-fielder with no previous experience. His coach was extremely pleased with his performance.

My now NINE year old son is really into all kinds of things especially POKEMON, DIECAST CARS, GI Joe's and plastic soldiers. Gee, I wonder where he get's THAT from? He has discovered the joys of video games and is always walking around with his gameboy advance and a couple of games.

I was finally convinced me to start collecting something that boys and I will both enjoy. To that extent the boys and I have started a collection of diecast emergency service vehicles (Police, Fire, & EMS). This collection includes ROAD CHAMPS, CODE3, and CORGI vehicles. As well as the odd MATCHBOX type items too. We will keep you updated as to where the collection is going.

The BIG NEWS is that I am now a Volunteer Fire Fighter/EMT with MARYLAND CITY VFD (Anne Arundel County Station 27). I am now going to do what I want instead of what someone THINKS I should do! I am going back to school for a degree in Emergency Services Management. I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders! I have also taken up the daunting task of building a Fire/EMS Patch Display for our station. I have plenty of Military stuff to trade so let me know if you can help us!

I'll be adding to this section (as well as the others), on a regular basis. Please check back often. And, if you have any comments, please use the e-mail address below. THANKS! And WELCOME!

P.S. - If you have any patch scans you'd like to have added, or you'd like to work on a trade, or if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail them to me at inteldawg8@netscape.net