My name is Alan Hottinger, I am Vice-President of Salute The Veterans, Inc. Rebecca and I started to put this group together earlier this year, along With the help of Bob Eveson, Jack and Sally Evans.

I graduated from Woodlawn Sr High School in 1968. On June 19 1969, I joined the U.S. Navy, and did my basic training in Orlando Fla. After basic training, I was stationed on the U.S.S. Charles F. Adams[DDG-2]. I made many cruises, visited ports of San Jaun, Porto Rico, St.Thomas. Later we visited the Mediterrean Sea, visited ports of Spain, France, Italy, and Turkey. Returning back to the states, the ship did a dry dock period where she was redone from bow to stern. Once completed, we went to Cuba for the shake down cruise. Returned to the states for a period of time.

I was then injuired in a motorcycle accident, the ship was getting ready to deploy to the North Atlantic. I was in Temporary Addition Duty (TAD) to the Naval Medicial Division were I was for about a year. After knee surgery, physical therapy, I was sent to the U.S.S. Little Rock in New Port, Rhode Island in 1972. Made one cruise with the ship, and then went to the North Atlantic. I visited the North Pole, England, Scotland, Wales, France. Upon returning to the U.S., I did everyday ship upkeep.

I was released from active duty 4 months early, on March 3, 1973. At that point I decided to become an electrician. I got into cars with my 1965 Glaxaie 500 XL, then later on in 1982, I bought a 1964 T-Bird, which needed help really bad. I started it 1994, and finished in 1995. I entered my T-Bird in my first car show, and took first place. Since then I've done many car shows all for charities.

I spend many Saturday nights at cruise spots to enjoy with friends, and to let the public enjoy my T-Bird. I am a Disabled American Veteran, and wish to help those who served, and to those who are still serving.