Shortly after a child’s first words (usually “Mama” or “Dada”) the child will learn their own name. At least that’s about the time I learned my name is Michael. So, you can imagine my surprise, at eight years old, when I discovered my first name is Robert. I asked my mother about this discrepancy and she just smiled. With a shrug she said, “We did that to your brother too”. That very same year my Cub Scout pack took a field trip to Melody Ranch, where Gene Autry (The Singing Cowboy) filmed his weekly television show. That day changed my life forever. In the third grade I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to make movies when I grew up. As it happens, I worked 43 years in the film business at a job that was as engaging and challenging on the first day as it was, four decades later, on the last day. I had the honor of working with some of the finest and most talented actors, directors and cinematographers in the world.

Filming on location was always an interesting experience. One year I was part of an Alpine climbing expedition that documented two first ascents on an unclimbed peak in central China. I’ve filmed in the jungles during Manuel Noriega’s Machiavellian Reign in Panama and met Charles Manson at Spahn’s Movie Ranch in California. I was close friends with Orson Welles and sang “Happy Trails” with Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans at their 50th Wedding Anniversary. During Carnival I danced the Samba along the Boulevards and was set upon by bandidos in the streets of Colon. Every day at work there was something different to experience and something new to be learned. Now, with the movie business in my rear-view mirror I’ve managed an epiphany, “Retirement doesn’t suck”.

Discovering the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has introduced me to a new adventure in my life, where I am finding each new day engaging and challenging. After being an Auxiliarist for six months I was appointed Publication Officer to Flotilla 59, Stuart and asked to publish (my first ever) newsletter. There seems to be unlimited opportunity in the Auxiliary to give back to the community and to serve this country, so for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary I am Semper Paratus.