Personal Internet

My Mom and the Internet

Created by the United States in 1966 and used only by Research Projects from 1969 until 1990 (and governed by the US Department of Defense from 1975-1990) the Internet became completely available to Civilians around the United States and the World in 1995.

My Mom was working for DoDDS in Germany when the Internet became widely available and she had to go to different Bases and set it up in Civilian Areas (the Military Areas already had them set up.)

She was in charge of the 105 Schools in the European Region with a total of 50,000 Children attending (out of the 160 DoDDS Schools Worldwide with a total of 67,000 Children attending.)

46 of the Schools were in Germany.

10 of the Schools were in Italy.

The rest were in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom.

She worked hard and went, alone, to Bases at Mildenhall; the UK, Lakenheath, the UK; Sigonella, Italy; Naples, Italy; Mons, Belgium; Rota, Spain; Sevilla, Spain; the Azores, Portugal and 23 Bases in Germany and set up the Internet for the Teachers, the Students and the Administrators.

When I was 14 years old, my Mom had to go to the Aviano Base outside of Venice, Italy (before the School Year started) and so decided to take me and my Dad along with her.

I had just finished working my job at Summer Hire so was ready for a vacation before I went back to Middle School.

Instead of flying down (which she would have done if by herself) we drove from Germany through Switzerland and into Italy.

She worked extremely hard and was able to set everything up in one day at the 3 Schools (Elementary, Middle and High) there.

That meant we could have a nice mini-vacation and we went to Venice.

We had an awesome time in Venice.

On the way home we drove from Italy to Austria and back into Germany.  

My Mom received many Awards and Praises from DoDDs, from the US Military and the Rest of the US Government for all of her quick and efficient work.