Watching the State of the Union address last week caused me to consider my own “state” and that of those closest to me — especially my sons and daughter.

Forty years ago this month I had recently completed a tour of duty in Vietnam as an Air Force enlisted man and was beginning another three years in stateside assignments. January of 1972 found me living on an airbase and learning to be a news photographer and photo technician.

It was a lonely experience but steady work, essentially a 9 to 5 routine. But importantly, while that time had its frustrating moments, I never felt a sense of hopelessness or that in any way I was lost. I recall having a basic confidence that I would find my way — that’s just how it was in this country, I believed then.

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