Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/895972
M.S. I grew up with two brothers and two sisters (I am the fourth of five). My mom was fantas c and raised us Roman Catholic. My father, unfortunately, died when I was in the third grade so my memories of him are not very clear. I was really involved in sports and, being from a small town, if you were ge ng into trouble everyone knew it. O en mes I would do something stupid and my mom would know about it before I got home. I was very fortunate to work for a Veterinarian for six years before and a er school and weekends and summers, so I spent a lot of me on farms and ranches and with Dr. Hopson, where I learned a lot of good values. W.O.G. Great! First and foremost THANK YOU for your service. We are very suppor ve of our military and forever grateful. Tell us, why did you decide to join the Navy? M.S. I joined because our na on was involved in a very ugly war and some of my hometown friends had been killed. I wanted to serve our country and I wanted to serve in Viet Nam. W.O.G. And you have shared with me that you served in Viet Nam. What is your most unforge able memory of serving in Viet Nam? M.S. I would rather not talk about that. W.O.G. What other countries have you served in? Have there been any other countries where you have felt par cularly drawn to their people and why? M.S. Over my 30 year career I have had the privilege to visit 27 different countries. I think one of the things that really stands out to me is how polite and friendly everyone I encountered in Japan were. W.O.G. I have to tell you Mike, it is fascina ng to me that you spent a lot of me in a submarine. Can you share with our readers a li le about that? Only what you can share of course. M.S. It is an experience you have to live to fully understand. I have never been around a group of more professional people in my life. You knew that in an emergency, everyone was there to do the immediate and the right thing. You experience an incredible sense of pride to be a part of something so great. W.O.G. What were your responsibili es as a Hospital Corpsman? M.S. To provide medical and dental care to the crew. We did not have a medical officer onboard so we were trained to provide that. W.O.G. Did you have the opportunity to share Christ with your fellow servicemen during your tenure in the Navy and can you share one of those experiences? M.S. I did and it was just like sharing today. People everywhere are willing to listen if you are willing to speak so I wouldn't say it was any different. I learned the key is to listen with your heart and not be ready to give a pat answer before you really hear what someone is saying. W.O.G. If Mike Stewart could say something to a younger Mike Stewart today, what would he say to him? M.S. Oh my! That is a loaded ques on. Probably first and foremost is that, as hard as it is to believe, the world really does not revolve around you. Forgive o en and always. We 26 WheelsOfGrace.com Issue 38