Getting to know our Kingdom man of the month for January: Eglin Ayson
I was born in Manila, Philippines, but spent almost all of my youth growing up in the south Bay Area of California. I graduated from Cal Berkeley with a Bachelors in Physics, and then received a commission in the US Air Force. After spending my first 5 years of Air Force life at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, (I get shivers every time I think about it), I transferred to Maxwell AFB near Montgomery, Alabama where I taught professional military education. It was also in Montgomery where I met my wife, Janice. Shortly after getting married, I was re-assigned to my namesake, Eglin AFB, near Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Incidentally, my father chose the name "Eglin" after the Air Force Base, although he was in the US Navy at the time; figure that one out. After leaving the Air Force, we moved to Orlando where I received my Digital Media degree from Full Sail University. I'm now working for a private company, JHT, Inc., as a graphic artist for computer-based training and electronic technical manuals, mainly for military application.
I've been a member of UPC since 1998, the year our son Travis (named after another Air Force Base) was born. Our LIFE group, led by Tom and Linda Miller, has been an instrumental part of our experience in the UPC family since that time. I've been especially blessed by UPC, and particularly our LIFE group, through it's love and care and prayers during Jan's 2-1/2 years of battling pulmonary fibrosis, our year-long "exile" from our home after the 2004 hurricanes, and finally when Jan was called home by the Lord almost 5 years ago. Travis, who is now 12, and especially Meredith, who's 9 (nope, Jan wouldn't let me name her after an Air Force Base), are my everyday reminders of Jan's love. In a similar way, UPC, through my LIFE group (though Tom "thinks" we've disbanded), my Friday Men's group, and in so many other ways, is an everyday reminder to me of God's love.
Q#1: Who is the best musician/band of all time (in any music venue)? Why?
Chicago (originally, Chicago Transit Authority). After 40+ years, they're still touring and making albums. Some of their vocals may show a little wear, but Jimmy Pankow can still serve up a patented run of 16th notes on the t-bone without breaking a sweat. Their songs elicit a lot of fond memories from high school, college, and my early Air Force days.
Q#2: If you had the choice to perform on Wipeout or Fear Factor, which reality show would you be on? Why?
I don't watch TV, so I know very little about each of these shows. <Does a Google search on the web>. Oh, so that's what they're all about. The answer is, "neither."
#3: Who is the ‘manliest' man you've ever met? Why?
That would be a boss of mine from when I was stationed at Eglin AFB. Wayne would spend most of his waking hours at the gym or out running and he had the buff bod to prove it. Really nice guy, too, and a great supervisor.