Mike Young
1965
I read some of the other grads' stories and I thought I would add mine.
In 1965, Cleveland won their 1st City Championship in baseball. I was lucky enough to be part of that team. Upon graduation, I was invited to the Los Angeles Dodgers tryout camp. That in itself was quite an honor for me. After the tryout, I decided that I didn't want to pursue a baseball career. I wanted to be a fireman like my dad. We were in the middle of the Vietnam War and my mom had a great idea. Instead of being drafted by the army, go and join the Navy and you won't have to go to Vietnam. Good idea mom, but it didn't turn out that way. I ended up becoming a Navy Seabee and spent almost two years in Vietnam. I was never on a ship my entire time in the Navy but building and fighting alongside the Marines in Nam.
In 1965, Cleveland won their 1st City Championship in baseball. I was lucky enough to be part of that team. Upon graduation, I was invited to the Los Angeles Dodgers tryout camp. That in itself was quite an honor for me. After the tryout, I decided that I didn't want to pursue a baseball career. I wanted to be a fireman like my dad. We were in the middle of the Vietnam War and my mom had a great idea. Instead of being drafted by the army, go and join the Navy and you won't have to go to Vietnam. Good idea mom, but it didn't turn out that way. I ended up becoming a Navy Seabee and spent almost two years in Vietnam. I was never on a ship my entire time in the Navy but building and fighting alongside the Marines in Nam.
Now
I got out of the Navy in October of 1969, came home and joined the LAPD in January of 1970. That was the start of my almost 28 years with the LAPD. I hurt my back and neck while on the job and was granted a medical pension in July of 1997. Since that time, I have done a lot of personal security work and private investigations. At the present time, I am in charge of security for a Jewish Temple in North Hollywood. I have been married to my wife Chris for 27 years and have two great kids, a boy, Matt who is in the Navy, and my daughter Shannon, who is studying to become a nurse.
That pretty much sums it up for me. It has been a great ride with a few bumps in the road along the way but it's been fun. Look forward to seeing a lot of old friends and classmates at the fiftieth anniversary.
That pretty much sums it up for me. It has been a great ride with a few bumps in the road along the way but it's been fun. Look forward to seeing a lot of old friends and classmates at the fiftieth anniversary.
As an MP in Vietnam
|
With the LAPD, before I retired
|
As an LAPD Rookie
|
With my wife, Chris
|
With my son, Matt
|
With my daughter, Shannon
|
Comments
Hi Mike, We certainly had wonderful Police Officers representing our Class! I wish I had know, could have helped with some parking tickets! LOL. It was great to read your story, and your family is lovely!
Your Classmate, Gloria Dorcy
Your Classmate, Gloria Dorcy
Hey, Mike! I was so glad when I saw that you shared your story with everyone. Thinking about it, I realize that you and I go back a long way to Lorne Street school. I'm glad that you came back safely from Viet Nam and had a successful career with the LAPD. Most of all, I can see the pride on your face in the pictures of you and your wife, son and daughter. That's real success.
I look forward to seeing you at the 50th. Thanks again for stepping up and sharing your life with us.
Jeff Davis
I look forward to seeing you at the 50th. Thanks again for stepping up and sharing your life with us.
Jeff Davis
Hi Mike. Thanks for sharing your story. We are going to have to have a toast to all of our classmates that served in Law Enforcement. Also a well deserved one for those in military service during our trying times of the Viet-Nam era. Lets catch up at the 50th event.
Dick Eyster
Dick Eyster