Sunday, January 11, 2009 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 5 He’s a career Frank Michael is a captain he Pacific Ocean is a long way from the lush rolling hills of Luzerne County and a world away from the “heart of the Back Mountain.” However, at 45, that’s exactly where this Dallas native wants to be. As a career Naval officer, Captain Frank J. Michael, currently serving as the executive officer of the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS BOXER (LHD 4), is second in command of a crew nearly half his age. In the spring of 2010 he will take com- mand for the second time in his naval career. “I knew I wanted to join the Na- vy, flying was second,” Michael said. As a helicopter pilot, flight instructor and squadron com- mander, Michael has experi- enced the best of both. However, along with this privilege comes the serious responsibility for the orderly day-to-day operations of a modern day warship. A tall, gentle but firm-speaking man with piercing green eyes, he exudes a quiet confidence that doesn’t go unnoticed by his crew of nearly 3,000 Sailors and Ma- rines. In strict military fashion, junior officers and the crew rise to their feet when he walks in the room. “Carry on,” he says with the seasoning of a judge about to hold court. The third of six children born to Frank and Patricia Michael of Dallas, Michael credits his small- town roots and his parents for in- stilling in him those critical qual- ities the nation looks for in its military officers. Speaking of his father, he says he never met a more honest man who worked a harder day. “My father taught me what a hard day’s work is,” Michael said. Just like the young boy who idol- izes his dad, it’s obvious his father is still his hero. “He could do anything and if he couldn’t, he taught himself,” Mi- chael added. Of his mother, Michael re- counts a woman of great love and compassion who, to this day, wells up with great pride of her =1830 9f son’s service. “Her incredible emotional sup- port and unconditional love are the first things that come to mind when I think about my mom,” he said After serving as an assistant chief of an ambulance company and volunteering in emergency services, Michael heard the call of the sea as a junior in college. Graduating from College Miser- icordia in 1986, he reported to Na- val Air Station Pensacola in Flor- ida for Aviation Officer Candi- date School. While Americans were captiv- ated by the TOP GUN craze and the super cool “Maverick” char- acter of Tom Cruise, Michael was introduced to another figure who would change his life forever — the legendary U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor. “How quickly this man be- comes the center of your uni- verse,” Michael said. At first, you are so confused and can’t seem to do anything right or fast enough but soon, the respect you have for them is immeasurable,” he add- ed. “You quickly understand. I still think about him.” Out of a class of 45, only 30 made it through. Michael's wings of gold were pinned on in Decem- ber 1988 and he hasnt looked back. His assignments have taken him from Norfolk, Virginia to the islands of Indonesia with numer- ous deployments and plenty of family separations thrown in. Such is the life of a career military man. Through it all, he complet- Navy man ed his Masters degree and was se- lected to serve on the staff of the Commander of Naval Air Forces and the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff. All the while, his wife of 18 years, Bridget, has stood firmly by his side. “When I think about how she put her own aspirations on hold to raise three children and live a lifestyle of such uncertainty and anxiety, I marvel at how fortu- nate and blessed I am,” Michael said. He added of Bridget “her strength and courage is just re- markable.” It is only when he speaks of his wife and children: John, 15, Mary, 13, and Elizabeth, 12, that you begin to see the soft- er side of the man. “They are the center of my life,” he says. “It is the military family that makes the great sacri- fice,” he said. Michael's demeanor shifts markedly when asked what he thinks is the most serious threat to America today. Without hesi- tation, he says the threat of ter- rorism is what concerns him most. “Since we have not had an at- tack, we get lulled into a sense of complacency,” he said. iissi 3 = Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centerse Wilkes-Barre 970-7977 WE Io tan All applicants will be reviewed and a panel of participants will be chosen. The chosen participants of the Physicians Weight Loss Challenge must partake in the entire 16-week Weight Loss Program and purchase the required protein supplements. All program and set-up fees are waived for participants of the Physician Weight Loss Challenge. For more information about the Physicians Weight Loss Challenge, please go to timesleader.com — We appreciate your patience during our interview process. Please look for our participants in the next few weeks. Dallas 675-4599 104850 SUBMITTED PHOTO Captain Frank Michael, right, Executive Officer of the WASP class amphibious assault ship USS BOXER LHD 4, presents an award to a navy Chief Petty Officer. He leaves no doubt where he stands when called upon by the president to respond. “This is our job; we are the ones who defend our country, our communities and our families,” he added. Michael's values were formed early in life and his deep sense of community comes from his small-town upbringing. “Where 1 grew up, everyone knew everyone else and cared about everyone else,” he said. Michael offers this advice to to- day’s young people: “Work as hard as you can. Don’t ever let any door get closed. Don’t lose opportunities because of some- thing you didn’t do.” He is ada- mant about accepting challenges and viewing them as opportuni- ties. Michael says there are so many different things to do in the Navy that every assignment brings a new challenge. “I try not to compare jobs,” he said. “Each one is unique. The on- ly constant from one duty station to the next is the incredible patri- otism and purpose of the young men and women I'm privileged to serve with.” When asked about his best as- signment, Michael just grinned and said, “I haven’t had it yet.” GFWC HARVEYS LAKE HOLDS DINNER MEETING The GFWC of Harveys Lake held its November dinner meet- ing at the Irem Temple Country Club recently. From left, are Karen French, Luzerne County president; Taryn Barrall, GFWC Harveys Lake president; Eloise Dwyer, Melanie Bigus, Jeanne Schineller, Vicki Martin, Adele Reilly, new members; and Linda Schuler, GFWC past president. Absent at the time of the photo was Barbara Ruda, new member. UVING, IRE: G2G ORGANIZES CONCERT FOR MEADOWS RESIDENTS Generation to Generation organized a special Children’s Choir from the Shavertown United Methodist Church to sing at the Meadows Nursing Home recently. About 30 residents rolled their wheel chairs into the activities room to hear “The Christmas County Spelling Bee.” Choir Director Deborah Kelleher and co- director Rebecca Oley led the children in song after which the children distributed Christmas ornaments and shared some time with the residents. Generation to Generation(G2G) is a not-for- profit organization founded by Eric Lee who believes people de- serve respect from the cradle to the grave. Joseph DeVizia, Chair- man of Generation to Generation, report that the mission of Gen- eration to Generation is to enrich lives through intergenerational sharing, conversations, values, and fun. From left, first row, are Jack Andrews, Mia Angelicola, Lauren Chapple, Sarah Gurzynski, Matthew Oley, Allison Hrivnak and Chloe Miller. Second row, Courtney Moss, Emma Oley, Becky Andrews, Tessa Liskosky, Alys- sa Angelicola and Bridget Frame. Third row, Malik Kaleta, Dominic Angelicola, Ashley Kaleta, Michael Biesecker and Jake Miscavage. timesleader com Get news when it $ ar\voluifines ROUTE 309, DALLAS . happens. GEIsINGER IS YOUR WEIGHT AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE? IT’S TIME TO SEE A MEDICAL EXPERT The obesity medicine team at Geisinger Wyoming Valley specializes in helping overweight and obese patients suffering from diabetes, sleep apnea or other conditions associated with their weight. Led by Tatiana Figueredo, MD, your healthcare team will develop a customized, medically-supervised weight management program that can help you change the way you eat and how you think about yourself. As a partner in the bariatric surgery program at Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Dr. Figueredo can also recommend patients for weight-loss surgery and manage their pre- and post-surgery healthcare. Dr. Figueredo and her team are now welcoming new patients at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. 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