Paul R. West presently has the title of senior engineer and supervises electronic technicians for the build up and maintaining of software integration labs and engineering flight simulators at a major defense contractor. This has been his job for the last twelve years and a enjoyable one.

He served in the U.S. Navy as an air crewman during the late seventies and early eighties aboard P3’s and DC9B aircraft. His duties consisted of troubleshooting electrical and electronic avionic systems when not flying. His active duty career went by quickly as he traveled as much as possible enjoying the world. Join the Navy and see the world as the saying goes.

It was during his first active duty station that Paul was sent to Patuxent River, Maryland off the coast of the Chesapeake Bay. The squadron was called VXN8 and he spent 2 years with the Oceanographic squadron. It was the perfect place to learn how to cook Maryland crab cakes and enjoy bushels and bushels of oysters. This was also when he became a full blown Parrothead thanks to an old salt named Jerry. Paul’s next tour of duty was at NAS Jacksonville, Florida for training before being sent overseas. Once again close to the beach and large quantities of seafood at his beacon call.

Paul was then stationed in 1979 at NAS Sigonella, on the island of Sicily in the middle of the Mediterranean for the next three years. Upon his arrival he immediately moved out to the town of Saint Anastasia Motto. He spent three years enjoying the Sicilian culture, history and Mediterranean style cuisine. He witnessed the eruption of Mount Etna and its devastation in 1980. Also during his time living in Sicily he traveled extensively around the coastal towns of Italy and the Islands of Corsica, Malta, and Sardinia. Then came the many of Islands of Greece, always staying close to the Mediterranean Sea.

After completing active duty Paul moved to New Orleans and worked construction for a year while enjoying Cajun cuisine and the greatest party of all times "Mardi Gras". Not one to let grass grow under his feet Paul moved to Palm Beach in South Florida doing the same kind of work for several more years. During his off time, Paul spent time sailing to the Bahamas aboard his friend Captain Jim’s "Trimaran" or snorkeling and diving in the Key’s. He would also venture into Miami to experience the Cuban culture and tasty cuisine.

Growing tired of the suburban beach bum lifestyle by the mid-eighties and wanting to settle down, Paul moved back to his hometown in North Georgia. He went to work for a major defense contractor building the greatest aircraft in the world and served with reserve squadron VR46. Paul also married his high school girlfriend and started a family. He has two daughters, one Labrador Retriever and a cat. Life is interesting being the only male in a all female house. God has blessed him and he has no regrets in life. It is what it is and it is way to short.

Since that time Paul has joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and does charitable work supporting public service agencies like the Police, Firemen and EMT’s in his hometown. He likes to support those agencies that are the true unsung heroes of every community and no community could do without and are seldom treated as they should be. His lodge also sponsors a children’s center called Aidmore for underprivileged and troubled girls. There are presently 50 girls at the home in Conyers Ga.

Paul is also the Drug Awareness Chairman for the lodge which helps supports law enforcement anti-drug education of children. The Elks support programs like DARE, Boy and Girls Scout Programs and Veterans.

When Paul isn’t working, writing, spending time with his family, or community service, he’s at the beach.

Ahoy, Shiver me timbers, and Vaya Con Dios,

P