My name is Jim Osterman and I wanted to share a little bit about me. I am from Da U.P. of Michigan, also known as Canada, in most history books. I graduated high school in 1991 and left for boot camp twenty-two days later. I attended boot camp in Great Lakes and graduated on my 18th birthday. I also attended my school at Great Lakes, graduated in October of 1991, and was assigned to the USS John F. Kennedy CV 67.

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     While aboard Big John, I received a letter of appreciation from my Captain and a letter of commendation from our Admiral. I was qualified in several different areas to include being a Helmsman. While I was at the helm we had a situation, which I cannot speak of here, that I received the letter of commendation from the Admiral.

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     I was honorable discharged from the Navy in June of 1993 and had a beautiful daughter Kelsea Maria Osterman 9 months later. I attended college while working 2 jobs and graduated with a degree in Law Enforcement. I obtained a job with The Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police Department and then Gogebic County Sheriff Department. After having many personal issues, I was forced to leave my career. This was a very difficult time for me, and I turned heavily to alcohol. After a night of heavy drinking, I woke up the next morning and decided I no longer wanted to deal with life's issues. I chambered my handgun and was ready to pull the trigger when a car pulled into my driveway unexpectedly. My daughter Kelsea was being dropped off. I knew there was no way I would have Kelsea see me like that and put the gun away and I have never looked at it that way since. Kelsea saved my life that day and continues every day to give me reasons to continue living. I have also been sober for almost 18 years now.

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     I noticed a beautiful woman while crossing the bridge at college and knew I had to meet her. Met her I did, and we have been together for 24 years now. In those 24 years, Amber graduated from college and has been teaching Kindergarten for over a dozen years. Since leaving law enforcement, I have been a Medic and a Mechanic both for almost 20 years. Amber and I have full custody of Kelsea and we created our Son, Cayden James. Kelsea is seeking a career in counseling and plans to work with Veterans.

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     In 2018, Veterans Skydive For Life was created and has since become a 501C3 Non-Profit organization. In 2019 the organization took on the task of training a service dog. We will be training Hero (a yellow Lab) for up to two years and we will then hand him over to his Veteran Partner for life. I am an open book and never shy away from any question. So, if you would like to know more about me please feel free to call me, text me, messenger, or email and I will be happy to answer them for you. Thank you all for supporting our Veterans and please do not ever stop LOVING LIFE!