Ed Palumbo (Edward J. Palumbo)

I've retired as a technical writer/photographer, a process writer for Quality Assurance in aerospace composites, calibration laboratories, and diagnostic test environments. I have lived with deadlines, juggled tests and production schedules, adhered to corporate priorities, and tolerated management and customer (end-user) "editing" for years. I no longer do that; the word "hurry" is repugnant to me. I am free to pursue my hobbies, crafts and interests with a better economy of time...and I enjoy this time of life very much.

I was born in New York City in 1946 and was fortunate to have relatives and family friends in rural areas of Upstate NY, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. That opportunity to appreciate life outside the city limits would later make a difference in my world view and preferences. To grow up in a metropolitan area with no exposure to farms or ranch life, or to grow up on a farm with no exposure to the city are two limited sides of the same coin. I'm thankful to have been given that broader perspective.

After graduation from high school in 1964, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC, was enlightening, and I was soon transferred from Camp LeJeune (NC) to Camp Pendleton (CA) in early 1965. I served with 1st Marine Division ground forces in South Viet Nam in 1966-67. When my tour of duty in RVN ended, I extended my time in WestPac and was transferred (at my request) to Okinawa. With much to ponder, I appreciated the opportunity to stabilize for seven months before I returned to the continental United States. In late September 1967, I returned to a politically polarized United States and was stationed at MCAS El Toro in Orange County, California. I recognized that as a "gift" because I enjoyed that multifaceted environment (beaches, deserts, mountains, and national parks) within convenient driving radius.

By late 1968, my active duty enlistment ended. I returned to NYC but metropolitan living was no longer tolerable to me. At the time, the war in Southeast Asia was a very contentious issue on every campus, and class attendance was a circus. I returned to southern California in early 1972, where I again enrolled in classes, worked as a respiratory therapy technician and later as a certified cardiopulmonary technologist, certified pulmonary function technologist and bronchoscopy assistant. Recreationally, I pursued the airsports, scuba diving and outdoor activities that had come to mean so much to me as an outlet.

I was pleased with my decision to relocate, happy to live in south Orange County, but change is inevitable, and Southern California "evolved" over time. As years passed, much of what I enjoyed was paved over, rezoned and became developed real estate, as houses and condominiums became the new cash crop of Orange County.

From March 1968 to November 1992, I was a sport parachutist, a licensed skydiver (USPA B-8516, POPS-2468). I enjoyed the sport and the people with whom I jumped. I enjoyed soaring in southern California's clear skies (330 days of VFR per year) and considered sailplanes the very essence or flight. Time passed and classes continued; I graduated from Orange Coast College, A.A., in 1988, and graduated Biola University, B.S., in May,1997.

I met my lovely wife in late 1980, and we've been happily married since 1982. We have two grown children, a daughter and son, and we're thankful for the adults they've become. About 23 years ago, we relocated to NW Oregon's Willamette Valley, and we've been very pleased with this multiseasonal climate, beautiful environment, and convenient access to outdoor recreation. This has been a wonderful area in which to raise well-adjusted children.

I enjoy travel and road trips, and remain active as a writer/photographer, precision shooter & reloader, freshwater fisherman, kayaker, and PADI-certified Rescue diver. For the foreseeable future, Lord willing, I hope to focus more attention on wildlife, scenic and underwater photography and I look forward to exploring more of the Northwest's highways, camera in hand, in the months and years ahead.

In the Spotlight

Child's Play - A Veteran's Hope for His Young Son

A Viet Nam veteran watches his 7 year-old son at play

In the Spotlight

Guadalcanal: The Goettge Patrol

Questions remain concerning an incident in which 22 Marines were killed. Was it worth the risk?

In the Spotlight

Hunting for Small Game

A Guide to Rural Pest Control

In the Spotlight

Preparation for Successful Handgun Hunting

Training and preparation for handgun hunting.

In the Spotlight

Why Choose a Fountain Pen?

Fountain pens are considered by many to be anachronistic writing instruments. They require a little care, but they're a very personal statement.

In the Spotlight

Gearjammer

Relationships affected by absence, job vs. relationship, love/hate of one's occupation.

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  10
  Hunting & Shooting

  The .204 Ruger

  16 months ago

  Does this cartridge deserve the interest of experienced small game enthusiasts?

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  19
  Hunting

  Hunting for Small Game

  2 years ago

  A Guide to Rural Pest Control

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  27
  Military Leaders, Heroes & Figures

  Sgt. Angel Mendez - An Example for Others

  4 years ago

  A Marine who was KIA in Viet Nam is remembered by a brother Marine.

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  29
  Military Leaders, Heroes & Figures

  Guadalcanal: The Goettge Patrol

  4 years ago

  Questions remain concerning an incident in which 22 Marines were killed. Was it worth the risk?

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  18
  Individual Sports

  Why Are People Drawn to Risk?

  2 years ago

  Mr. Seckin Esen recently asked, “Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities?” My reply was lengthy, so I'll provide my response as a Hub article.

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  8
  Fishing

  Consider Kayaking

  3 years ago

  Kayaking is a great way to explore, a fine platform for wildlife photography, a tranquil escape from the crowd, and a good upper body workout, if you wish. I urge you to consider it and join us!

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  28
  Pen & Ink

  Why Choose a Fountain Pen?

  7 years ago

  Fountain pens are considered by many to be anachronistic writing instruments. They require a little care, but they're a very personal statement.

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  6
  Tips for Romance

  Secrets Between Lovers

  10 years ago

  There are those sweet moments between lovers that remain in aferthought long after we grow gray with time. I'd written this 40+ years ago, placed it in the pages a book, and rediscovered it recently.

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  10
  Gender and Relationships

  Seashore Memories

  10 years ago

  Many of us are fortunate to have beautiful memories of past relationships, not all of which end badly. Some end because they must.

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  6
  Water Sports

  Scuba Divers: What To Do In The Off-Season

  11 years ago

  For those of us who live in a multiseasonal climate, we often set scuba diving aside in winter to pursue other interests or to travel to warm-water environments. What's a good use of off-season time?

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  4
  Water Sports

  Scuba Divers: Advocates for the Undersea Environment

  4 years ago

  Let us never forget that we are representatives for the activities in which we're involved.

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  23
  Rifles

  Small Game and Varminting

  4 years ago

  Varminting can be a challenging exercise of basic marksmanship principles applied to pest control.

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  9
  Singles Life

  Safe Harbor '70

  11 years ago

  Sometimes we must wait before moving on, though moving on is a certainty or a necessity. We wait for a job opportunity to develop, to generate revenue for a move. It's difficult to be patient.

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  8
  Poems & Poetry

  Kaibab Campsite

  11 years ago

  Since I was a young fellow, I've enjoyed the outdoors and I spent much of my time camping, fishing, and hunting. I set that aside for a while, but those cherished times in the field nourished me.

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  12
  Gender and Relationships

  Gearjammer

  5 years ago

  Relationships affected by absence, job vs. relationship, love/hate of one's occupation.

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  17
  Play & Child Development

  Child's Play - A Veteran's Hope for His Young Son

  2 years ago

  A Viet Nam veteran watches his 7 year-old son at play

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  27
  Handguns

  Preparation for Successful Handgun Hunting

  5 years ago

  Training and preparation for handgun hunting.