One Small Step for a Man, One Giant Leap for Watertown: Clive Arlington

Clive Arlington, Class of 1955, Fairhope, Alabama

What are you up to? I'm 80 years old, retired and enjoying the good life on the Eastern shore of Mobile Bay.

How'd you get here? After graduating from WHS, I joined the United States Air Force and received training as an electronic technician. I worked as a technician for 2 years in my 4 year stint. I started as a freshman at the University of Florida in 1961, graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965. Hired by Boeing to work on the Apollo program at Kennedy Space Center - eventually selected to the launch team for Apollo, SkyLab and Shuttle programs. You likely saw me at the console during those televised launch activities. 

During the Shuttle days I worked for Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) and was sent to work on projects in Texas, California, Denver, Colorado and New Orleans, Louisiana - eventually promoted to executive management before taking an early retirement in 1993. I worked for the next 17 years in the IT business with two small companies. Retired (for the fourth) time in 2010.

I'm married. The youngest of my two sons passed away in 1994. Brian lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. His 3 children (my grandchildren) live in Phoenix and Tennessee.

My classmates at WHS will likely recall me as the shortest, most mischievous young man in our class. Having emigrated from England in 1950, I still had a British accent that I used to my advantage.

What are your goals? I knew in my Junior year at WHS that I wanted to be an engineer. When my employers began grooming me for management, I recognized my lack of training in that area and attended graduate school at night finally receiving a Masters in Management Science from TCU in 1971. At the age of 40 or so, reaching a healthy and comfortable retirement was my goal. I am there, although it took longer than I had hoped.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Find the proper combination of humility and self-confidence as you progress in your career. Treat others as you would want to be treated and don't forget where you came from.

This photo was taken after the successful launch of the first Shuttle on April 12, 1981. Immediately behind the guy numbered 25, you can see a man in a dark shirt leaning over behind the console. Directly behind him is Clive. Clive is wearing a white shirt and tie and there is a guy to his right in a white jacket with his right arm held high.

The Good Life: Paul Frohn

Paul Frohn, Class of 1979, Portsmouth, NH

What are you up to? Retired Air Force and currently in the FEMA Reserves

 How'd you get here? Stationed at Pease AFB 1981. Since I left Watertown/Oakville, I have had a lot of adventures. I completed the last item on my bucket list in September when I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on a bike. February 23rd, my grandson was born, so all I have left to do in life is to enjoy life itself. I hope my fellow graduates were able to find their life adventures like I have. My military goals started when I was going to Swift Junior High and it is still going in retirement. 

What are your goals? Happiness.

What has been your biggest challenge? Don't have any.

What has been your happiest moment? Family.

Advice for WHS Students? Follow your dreams and complete your bucket list ASAP.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Do not worry about what others think. Follow your dreams ASAP and don't be afraid to ask. If you don't ask, you are stuck with a no.

Compassionate and Courageous: Anthony Salerno

Anthony Salerno, Class of 2009, Northern Virginia

What are you up to? I am coming up on my 6th year anniversary of serving in the United States Army. I hold the rank of Sergeant and I am Military Police, but I currently work as a Protective Agent for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, so I travel constantly, and never know where I am going to be next.

How'd you get here? Well, when I graduated in 2009 I started working right away for Naugatuck Ambulance as an EMT. After a few years ( in 2011) I decided it was time for a change and applied to the Savannah, GA Fire Department. When that did not work out (they were put on a hiring freeze) I decided to join the military. I knew that I wanted to continue to help people in whatever way I could, and I felt that being a MP would give me more opportunities than being a medic. 

On January 9, 2012 I went to Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. After 5 months, I graduated and went off to my first unit (512th MP Co) which was also on Fort Leonard Wood. Right around July 2012 my company started to ask for volunteers to deploy to Afghanistan with a sister company (13th MP Co) and I volunteered. I went through the process and in mid August 2012 went to Fort Bliss Texas for deployment training with my new company. On Halloween night in 2012, I got on a plane in Missouri headed for Afghanistan. 

I returned home from my first deployment in July 2013 and went on my second deployment about 18 months later in January 2015. That deployment really helped me to get to where I am today. I returned home to Fort Leonard Wood in October 2015 and was on orders to change duty stations to Fort Belvoir Virginia in February 2016. I have been stationed here at Fort Belvoir since, and have spent most days making sure a high level Department Of Defense officials or Army Officials are safe. For all of those who may not know, Protective Services is basically what the Secret Service does for the President.

What are your goals? Currently my goals are a little different than most who I graduated with. My main goal is to finish a degree, any degree. The military does not require a degree so I never went to traditional brick and mortar college. This in’t a bad thing because I have a lot of real world experience that many of my classmates may not have had. 

My secondary goal is to successfully transition out of the military into a Federal Law Enforcement position. This has, at times, proved to be a little difficult but I know that with enough work and the proper drive anything is possible.

What has been your biggest challenge? That is a tough question. I’ve had many challenges. I have a few that I’m embarrassed by that would be right at the top of my list, but two that I’m not embarrassed by are:

On December 8, 2012 while I was deployed, a US Navy SEAL was killed in action (KIA) in Afghanistan. That Navy SEAL's name was Nicolas Checque and he was one of the best people I have ever had the chance to talk to in my life. Nick was such a humble person and an all around good guy. Losing him was a very difficult moment and it remains difficult. Luckily, as of right now, I am very close to where Nick is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery and for the past 3 years I have gotten the chance to visit him multiple times. 

The second challenge that I can say I've faced is much like the first. On October 11, 2015 while getting ready to leave Afghanistan for the second time, a British Puma Mk2 helicopter crashed on our base. As I had numerous years of medical experience under my belt I responded to the crash site to help tend to the wounded. About 3 1/2 hours later, after all of those who were in the helicopter had been successfully extricated from the wreckage, I was able to leave. 

Those two days stick with me to this day. They remind me daily of how precious life is. They also remind me to help someone anytime I can help. If I can spare change for someone, I will. If someone needs a shoulder to cry on or to punch, I'll do my best to help. There is no way of knowing how long you will be here, but there is a way of knowing what you will leave behind once you're gone.

What has been your happiest moment? I have had so many happy moments it is hard to pick just one. I would have to say that my most recent happiest moment would be December 1, 2016. That is the day I was promoted to Sergeant. I had worked so hard and had been studying my butt off to get promoted, and on that day it happened. My mom flew down from Watertown to come put the new rank on my chest, and I couldn't have been happier.

Advice for WHS Students? Don't worry that life doesn't go as you plan it. There is no way to plan the next 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 years of your life and say, “This is what I am going to do.” In my line of work we always say to new people that you need to remain rigidly fluid in that you need to be set on your current path; you need to be giving your all at all times, but you better be prepared when the schedule changes 14 times in one day. Look at the goals that are within your reach and dedicate yourself to them, they will help you achieve the bigger picture goal someday.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Be honest in everything you do, don't rush in unless it is needed, help everyone you have the chance to help.

Air Force Staff Sergeant Making Moves: David Davidson

David Davidson, Class of 2009 (from Kaynor Tech) Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona

What are you up to? I am currently a Senior Airman (sew on Staff Sergeant) in the United States Air Force, stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. I'm a Aircraft Armament Systems Technician, which basically means Aircraft Weapons Load Crew member. I work on the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It's my responsibility to ensure that the weapons system on the aircraft works properly to ensure safe and successful weapons release. I also load the various bombs, missiles, and guns that are on the aircraft. I'm married with two kids, a 4-year-old and 9-month-old. I am also working on getting a certificate in Medical Billing and Coding.

How'd you get here? I did not graduate from Watertown High School, but I did go to school in Watertown up until 8th grade and spent a pretty good chunk of my life living there. I ended up going to Kaynor Tech for high school. I chose the electronics shop as my trade of choice.

I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do after high school. After graduation, I was denied a scholarship at NVCC, which lead me to work a year at CoCo Key Water Resort as a lifeguard.

I started to become really interested in the military, more specifically, the air force. I got the ball rolling on the process of getting into the air force and I finally left for basic training in November of 2010. I graduated from basic training in January of 2011. After spending 5 months in Texas, I graduated tech school. After tech school, it was onto Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. During the four years spent in Idaho, many things happened. I started working on the F15E Strike Eagle. I was TDY (temporary duty assignment) to quite a few places (Louisiana, Las Vegas, Panama City, Salt Lake City) and had a seven month deployment overseas. Also, during this time, I met and got married to my wife. In July of 2015, I PCS'd (Permanent Change of Stations) to Luke Air Force Base.

What are your goals? Up until recently my goal was to make the next rank of Staff Sergeant. I found out a couple weeks ago that I'll be putting on Staff Sergeant on October 1st, and I can say that I achieved that goal. My next goal is to get back into school and start working on a degree to set myself up for my future outside of the air force.

Advice for WHS Students? Don't limit yourself for your plans after high school. I studied electronics for four years in high school and now I'm working in a labor intensive aircraft maintenance job where I rarely put my knowledge of electronics to use. There are countless career fields out there. If you try one and you like it you should stick with it. If not, then try something else. It's better to do something you like than to be miserable doing something you don't.

How did you start your day? My day typically starts the same. I wake up at 5 am, shower and put the uniform on, have a bowl of cereal and then I'm out the door for work.

Learning to Fly: 2nd Lt Zach Holmes

Zach Holmes, Class of 2012, Pensacola FL

What are you up to? I'm currently studying to become a Combat Systems Officer in the United States Air Force. It's like the old navigator position, but I could also be responsible for electronic warfare and/or all combat systems, depending on the aircraft I'm in. I'm basically a high-tech version of "Goose" from "Top Gun".

How'd you get here? I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in May, 2016 with a B.S. in Physics. I also commissioned as a 2d Lt in the United States Air Force, after going through ROTC.

What are your goals? I'm focused on getting through our rigorous training program first. After that, I'd love to be assigned to either an F-15E, an AC-130, or a B-1. They're really cool aircrafts. I also want to travel (a lot).

Advice for WHS Students? Don't be afraid of failure. Failure is the key to success. If you do poorly at something, take a step back from it, analyze the situation, and take the proper action to make sure you succeed at it the next time around, or learn a lesson from it. The only time failure hurts you is when you decide to ignore it or dwell on it.

If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?  I would love to go to New Zealand. I've always wanted to hike across it.