Hello, everyone! I'm excited to share a bit about my journey. My name is Carl Lee Hickling, and I come from a unique blend of backgrounds. My English mother, Marjorie Size, was a former shop girl, and my dad, TSgt Stanley Lee Hickling, was an ex-farmer from Upstate New York who was serving in the USAF. They tied the knot in Manchester, England, in 1951, and I made my debut in the summer of 1952 after they moved to Mitchel Air Force Base in New York. When the base closed in 1961, I proudly claimed Hempstead, Long Island, as my birthplace since that's where the old site is located.
Being an Air Force Brat meant I moved around quite a bit! My childhood took me from New York to Georgia, Illinois, and even France. We returned to Georgia before heading to England and finally settling in Oklahoma. After my dad retired from the USAF in 1971, my family moved back to England, but I stayed behind since I was 19 and living independently. Fun fact: I’m the oldest of five! My siblings came along at various bases: Linda at Sampson AFB in New York, Nancy at Fort McPherson in Georgia, David in Marietta, Georgia, and Michelle at Toul-Rosières Air Base in France. Each place holds a special spot in our hearts.
In 1972, I got my draft notice, and honestly, I wasn’t too keen on joining the Army, especially with the Vietnam conflict going on. So, I quickly rushed over to the Air Force recruiters and begged to enlist. They welcomed me aboard after I scored the highest possible marks on the ASVAB (that’s the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, for those who might not know).
While filling out my enlistment papers, I got to choose three potential job paths. I picked tail-gunner on a B-52 bomber, telephone lineman, and telephone installer. I also asked about computer jobs, and even though my high school math scores weren’t stellar, the recruiter added computers as a fourth option. Can you guess which field I ended up in after boot camp? Yep, Electronic Computer and Switching Systems! I proudly served in the USAF for 24 years, focusing on computer maintenance.
During my Air Force career, I climbed the ranks from Airman Basic (E-1) all the way up to Senior Master Sergeant (E-8). I attended several technical schools and worked on a variety of defense computer systems at different Air Force locations, all while earning my Journeyman, Craftsman, and Superintendent maintenance skill levels. I even spent five years as an instructor at a brand-new computer technical school, where I developed textbooks and workbooks, earned my master-level instructor badge, achieved two rank promotions, and helped over 700 students learn the ins and outs of computer maintenance.
By the time I retired in 1997, I was overseeing two computer maintenance facilities with a fantastic team of fifty-three people, all while maintaining four air and space defense systems at NORAD’s Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Additionally, I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in computers at Colorado Christian University. After my active-duty service, I continued to support the Air Force mission as a civilian Systems Analyst and eventually as a GS-346-12 Logistics Management Specialist for the GPS sustainment program.
Before my Air Force adventure kicked off in 1971, my dad helped me land a job at a GEX Department Store (kind of like today’s Super Walmart) in Oklahoma City. I started out stocking shelves and ended up managing the produce section for a bit. That’s when destiny struck, and I met Carol, a lovely young woman promoting RC Cola. We hit it off immediately and started dating, keeping our connection alive through letters and phone calls while I was away for boot camp and training.
One summer evening in 1973, while I was still in training, I proposed to her over the phone, and to my delight, she said yes! This year, we celebrate 53 wonderful years of marriage. We’ve been more than blessed with two amazing kids, Teresa Elaine and Travis James (check out www.travishickling.us for more!).
After graduating from computer school at the apprentice skill level, I received orders to Mt. Keno Air Defense site in Oregon. On my way there, I made a quick detour to Oklahoma City to get our marriage license and have a small wedding. With only a few days' notice because my grad date had been up in the air, Carol’s mom, Mary, pulled together a lovely ceremony in just a few days! The day after we tied the knot, we packed Carol’s tiny Subaru with all our belongings and set off on our honeymoon drive to Oregon.
Over the years, we’ve lived in so many places: Oregon, Colorado, Oklahoma, Washington, back to Colorado, New York, Mississippi, Texas, and finally back to Colorado for the third and last time. What a whirlwind adventure it’s been! We’ve owned 16 vehicles, bought or rented 18 homes, cared for 16 foster children, and adopted two incredible kids. Life has truly been good! Now, as we remember Teresa, who rests in Pikes Peak National Cemetery as the beloved, unmarried, handicapped child of a US veteran, Carol and I have a clear idea of where we want to spend eternity.
