Don started his Air Force career at 19 on Valentines Day, 1953. Following basic training, he attended aircraft maintenance training at Amarillo AFB, TX, with a follow-on assignment to Hunter AFB, GA where he worked on B-47s. In Feb'57, Don completed his enlistment and returned home to Florida but was recalled to active duty in Oct'58 and assigned to Lockbourne AFB, OH. Prior to leaving for Lockbourne, Don married the love of his life, Lori. After working on B-47s for two years, Don was selected for OCS and joined Bravo Flight upon arrival in Sep'60 and was elected Honor Council rep in Dec. Upon commissioning, Don was assigned to Chanute AFB for Aircraft Maintenance Officer training and then to Charleston AFB with the 444th FIS. In 1964, Don attended Florida State University under the Bootstrap program and graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Business Management. Upon his return to the 444th in Aug'65 Don received orders for Vietnam and assignment to Tan Son Nhut AB with the 20th Tac Rec Sqdn. In Mar 1966 Don moved with the squadron to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. His follow-on assignment was PACAF HQs and then to TAC Hdqs for two years and where he was promoted to Major. In 1972 he attended ACSC which as followed by an assignment to the USAFIG at Norton AFB, CA. A remote tour in Korea as Sqdn CC of 8 th FMS and promotion to LTC was followed by a tour at Bitburg AB, Germany as Sqdn CC of 36 th AGS. While at Bitburg Don attended Troy State University night classes and received a Master's Degree in Business Mgmt. Then it was back to PACAF, this time with the PACAF IG as Chief of Acft Maint Branch. Don was promoted to Colonel and completed his IG assignment as Chief of Logistics Division. From PACAF he was assigned as DCM of 67 th TRW, Bergstrom AFB, TX. Don retired from the USAF with 31 years service in 1985 . His decorations include the Legion of Merit and the MSM. Don began a second career with MacDonell Douglas working in Saudi Arabia as Dir of Operations for the Saudi Air Force F-15 maintenance program (had a front row seat to the first Gulf War). In 1992 he moved to Kuwait and was the company marketing rep for all defense products. Don transferred to Bangkok, Thailand in 1996 and continued his role in marketing defense products. In 1999 Lori and Don decided it was time to return to the good old US of A. They are happily retired and enjoying life. Don keeps busy serving on several community committees. Both Lori and Don volunteer at the local hospital and are active in the Methodist Church. They enjoy traveling and seeing new places. Their son Martin is a Lt Col in the USAF and currently stationed at the Pentagon. Jody, their daughter works for a title company and lives in Tampa, FL. Their granddaughter Megan (only grandchild) is a freshman at FSU, following in her Grandpa's footsteps. Life is good for the Edwards as they celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in 2007.
updated: January 5, 2008