Master Sgt. Lawrence J. Polk recently retired from the Air Force after 28 years of service.

Polk was born on March 14, 1955 in San Francisco. He graduated from Del Valle High School in Walnut Creek. He joined the Air Force under the delayed enlistment program in August of 1973, completing basic training in November of that year.

He continued his stay there for four weeks to attend Security Police Tech School. While in the Security Forces, he was assigned to Travis Air Force Base in California, Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

Polk decided to leave the Air Force in 1979 to attend college in California. He attended Diablo Valley Junior College for two years and received his associate’s degree. He then transferred to California State University Hayward, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1989.

With no other option, he joined the reserves as a fuel cell technician at Travis Air Force Base. He was later activated and deployed in support of ongoing contingencies. He has served as shift supervisor and provided ongoing support as the unit career advisor for the 349th Maintenance Squadron. He has also earned his CCAF in aircraft maintenance technology while being activated.

On a personal note, Polk met the woman of his dreams, Linda, back in the day while cruising the streets of Walnut Creek. Polk and his wife have raised three loving children: Victoria, Samantha and Andrew.

Polk was recently celebrated in his retirement ceremony at Travis Air Force Base on Jan. 21, 2012.