Born March 12, 1946, in Lockhart, AL, #7 of 10 children, Attended W. S. Harlan Elementary, grades 1-8.

Graduated from Florala High School, Florala, AL, grades 9-12, in 1965, After graduation worked as an auto parts salesman from 1965-1968.

Married Reba Thomas in December, 1965.

After being examined 6 times, I was drafted in 1968 and served through 1970. The delay in being drafted was due to having rheumatic fever in 1964.

Returned to the U. S. in 1970 and continued to work as an auto parts salesman through 1970.Attended Lurleen B. Wallace State Junior College beginning September, 1970 through 1972. Used the Viet Nam G. I. Bill to finance. Transferred to Troy State University at Ft. Rucker and attended night classes and continued to work at Florala Auto Parts, Graduated from Troy State University at Ft. Rucker, 1974, with a B. S. degree in secondary education, major in social studies and a minor in English.

Began teaching special education at Florala City School in August, 1974, Taught here two years and then went to W. S. Harlan Elementary School and taught here for three years.

In 1976, our son Ryan Allen was born and in 1979 our daughter Candace Eugenia was born,

Attended Troy State University at Dothan at night and received masters degree in Career Education and Human Development.

In August, 1979, 1 began teaching special education at Florala High School and have been there ever since. During this time I attended Auburn University at Montgomery at night and received another masters degree in Mental Retardation.

Still married to the same wife for 34 years, Ryan is a senior at Auburn University and will graduate June 10, 2000, with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Candace is also attending Auburn University and is a junior, She is pursuing a degree in Physical Education.

I am the Mayor of Lockhart, AL, and have been since 1978

MILITARY BACKGROUND

Drafted in 1968 and was sent to Ft. Polk, LA, for basic training. Accelerated promotion to E2

after graduation, Flown to Ft. Eustis, VA with no leave and entered Chinook Crew chief School.

Graduated AIT with accelerated promotion to E4. Received a 7 day leave in route to Southeast Asia, Stationed in Vung Tau, Viet Nam, 765^th Transportation BN. 388^th Trans, Co. My brother C. Birge served as acting 1" Sgt. of this company. When brother returned to the states, I was transferred to the 3300 Transportation Co. and assigned to the Checkmate Flight Platoon where I served as right door gunner on a CH47 Chinook helicopter. After 9 months tour of duty, I was promoted to E5. During my tour of duty, we were shot down 3 times in a hot LZ and managed to repair and fly out without any casualties. While in Viet Nam, I attended several aviation connected schools. Received 3 air medals and the normal awards that goes with a combat soldier,

In 1974, I entered the Alabama National Guard, C Co. 131 Armor, Florala, AL. Entered as an E5 and promoted one year later to E6. Became MOSQ through correspondence. Attended B Nox, A Nox, Sr. Sgt. School and First Sgt. School, Promoted to E7 in 1979 and E8 in 1986 after attending Master Gunter School at Ft. Knox, KY. During the time of E8, I served as the BN, Operations Sgt. and Master Gunter. Eighteen months later, I was selected state-wide as Command Sgt. Major. I was then transferred to the 440^th Ordinance BN. I was activated for Desert Storm in November, 1990- Served 7 months in the desert and received a bronze star. I was air evacuated back to the U. S. with a swallowing and breathing problem in June, 1991. After returning to the U. S., I was placed on medical hold at Lister Hospital, Ft. Rucker, AL. .After 10 months on medical hold, I was released back to the Alabama National Guard, 440^th Ordinance BN. After the 440^th was deactivated, I was assigned to the 2^nd and 152 Armor BN, in Onionta, AL. Later assigned to the 111th Ordinance Group in Opelika, A.L. Later I was assigned to the 131 Armor BN, In Ozark, AL. Released from duty because of medical problems.

1964, Acute Rheumatic Fever

1978, Broken Nose

1984, C-6-7 Anterior Cervical Disectomy

28 Oct. 91, Nissen Fundoplicati6n

7 Nov. 91, Infected Facial Edges Wound Decreidement and Reclosure

17 Jam 92, C-4-5 Anterior Cervical Disectomy

1992, Gall Bladder removed

1994, C-3-4, Anterior Cervical Disectomy, Rod Installed

Being treated for the following by VA:

1. Labyrinthitis

2. Spinal Disc Condition

3. Tramatic Arthritis

4, Barretts Esophagus

5. PTSD

6. Hypertension

7. Enlarged Prostate

8. Sleep Disorder

Dealings with the VA have been very discouraging for me. My first visit was in 1985. I was requested to go to the VA for an exam on agent orange and kidney problems, I wasn't given an exam. I was asked if my children were born deformed. When I told the doctor no, he replied that I wasn't sprayed with agent orange, I spent I weeks in the hospital with kidney problems in Viet Nam, but the VA had no record of this. I never heard any of the results from my visit to the VA.

Medical records that the VA requested in 96 were sent to them. It seemed if I was sending records every time I turned around. Until the middle of 96, 1 thought everything was going smooth. Then all of a sudden there was a period of about 2 years that all I got was a letter stating that the VA was processing my claims. Finally in 98, I received my rating decision. I still have pending claims.

During my tour of duty in the desert, I had more than one occurrence of PTSD. I was told that I was under too much stress. Also I was responsible for sending teams into Kuwait to recover ammo that was stored in churches, hospitals, and schools. A team would be gone for two weeks at the time.

During this period of time, I began having breathing and swallowing problems. I went to the hospital and several tests were run by an internal medicine doctor. He told me I needed to go home because I was allergic to the dust in my area.

I decided I couldn't leave because too many of my troops needed me. After several more visits, my problem began to get worse. During a scud attack, I hit my head and hurt my neck. This was when my labyrinthitis (vertigo) began. Finally I went to the 85^th EVAC Hospital and the doctor in charge told me I didn't have a choice. I had to be medivacked to the U. S.

My knees had been giving me a lot of trouble but for some reason when I hit my head, they began to hurt worse. When I arrived in Germany , the army had some support braces made for both knees and gave me 800 mg. of Motrin for pain.

After a seven to ten day layover, I arrived in the U. S. and began treatment at Lyster Army Hospital in Ft. Rucker. I guess I must have taken every pill available for my esophagus. The doctors at Ft. Rucker said I had to have it repaired as well as my stomach. I spent 21 days in the hospital at Ft. Rucker, A few weeks later the Army decided to fix my neck. This was done by Dr. Barnard from Flowers Hospital in Dothan, AL. I continued to have trouble with my legs and knees. I went on my own to Dr. Allen and he tried to help but I ran out of money. Also during this period of time, I began having chest pains. The Army doctors told me it was gas, After several test, I went to a civilian doctor in Crestview, Dr. Stewart. My gall bladder had to be removed. This cost me money. Later down the road I still had problems with my neck and I went to the Medical Center in Pensacola. Dr. Raymond fixed my neck by placing a pin in it.

I have had sleep disorders since my tour of duty in the desert. I guess this was brought about from the many nights and days of scud attacks, I have been diagnosed as having sleep apnea and I have an apparatus I sleep in at night.