<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1740122696/ia3chy3cshg3ij3b3gip.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" />1986-87 CHS Time Capsule Project from two VHS tapesI have two VHS tapes that are over 40 years old, recorded by my mother and father when they were in charge of filming the band. They have since passed—my mother about five years ago and my father about eight years ago, respectively. After their passing, my brother and I sold the family home, and I now live in Aurora, Colorado. The last time I viewed the tapes was in 2009, and they were in good shape. However, they’ve been stored in Florida’s humidity ever since. When my brother mentioned them to me last summer in Kentucky, I was surprised to learn he still had all the tapes and asked if I wanted them. Restoring these tapes has been a labor of love so far. One was broken, but I managed to splice and repair it. Finding a good VCR has been a challenge, but after searching thrift stores, the third one was a charm—a high-end Sony model from back in the day. After taking it apart, cleaning it, and verifying that the belts and mechanics were sound, I got it working perfectly. I also had to disassemble and clean the CHS tapes, then ran them forward and backward in the VCR to clear out any debris. Each time I play them, the quality improves, and I also have to clean the tape heads in the VCR each time. To preserve these memories, I invested in a digital converter for $120, which is working well. Some of the first-pass recordings can be viewed here at my Google Drive: . I’m also using my media and jack of all trades submarine experience to enhance the audio and video.A bit about me—I served 11 years in the Navy on submarines. After years at sea, I got the unique call to the big leagues: the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) at Port Canaveral, part of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, I experienced the pinnacle of my hard work in the fleet, working on and launching over 30 test missiles into space off the Cape Canaveral coast from Ohio-class and UK Trident submarines. With extensive training in advanced electronics and aerospace mechanics, after career ending military accident, I later spent my civilian career 23 years in the telecom industry, helping to build the networks we rely on today. I played a key role in switch networks, voice and fiber optic transport—spending nine years at Sprint in Florida and later working as a NOC engineer for several companies in Colorado.Now, I run TheSubVet.com, a media project focused on submarines. Due to multiple surgeries from military injuries and now being a 100% disabled veteran, I’ve been forced into early retirement, but I stay busy—pushing through the pain to help friends and neighbors with car repairs at little to no cost when my body allows it.. I just love turning a wrench and fixing hi tech gear—it’s something I’ve done in submarines, rocket systems, and telecom facilities for decades. I owe much of my success (Not monetarily rich but rich in life experience and service) to my CHS Band Director, Patrick Culler. He saw my potential beyond just music and me doing trumpet solo's—he recognized my abilities and advocated for me when I was skipping school too often and risking graduation. He worked with my teachers and parents, ultimately helping me qualify for the prestigious Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Nuclear Weapons Submarine program as a Missile Technician.in the US Navy. Though my ASVAB scores were high, my report card didn’t reflect it, despite being in AP classes. Without his guidance, I might not have had the incredible career that followed.<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Matter, sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:no-contextual;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;margin:0px;width:100%;line-height:1.5;box-sizing:inherit"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1740121199/puo8q73fcef8eirxyims.png" alt width="1048" height="703" style="max-width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;vertical-align:middle;height:auto;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none" />Years later, I had the honor of visiting him at University High School while in my navy uniform with Patrick Culler in front of his incredible marching band at a football game. I thanked him for what he did for me and shared what I was doing for our country. Not long after, we lost him—a great man who expected excellence from his students, and it showed. His funeral was large with many in attendance near UCF at his church. The school district even made a special day for him once a year which is called Patrick Culler day I know I’m just one of hundreds, maybe thousands, whose lives he influenced. His lessons of hard work and dedication carried beyond the field, shaping our academic and professional achievements. "The Real Mr. Hollands Opus" from the 1995 FilmPATRICK CULLER DEVOTED LIFE TO TEACHING MUSICIn his honor, I’m committed to restoring and sharing these videos as a time capsule on YouTube of what it was like to be a CHS Grenadier in the ‘80s—proudly wearing that Grenadier uniform, pressing it clean, and giving our best in every performance, both on the field and in the field of life. Perhaps even we can do a scheduled watch party together as well to share memories and comment as the videos play. I did my best as a father raising my kids while working with David Ammerman, the director of bands at Astronaut High School from 2004 to 2010, managing fundraising and concessions for the band and assisting with the marching band. In replicating that experience and example for my kids, as my parents did for me all those years ago. I also had the chance to help many of my children's friends along the way. Mr. Ammerman, who had been the director at AHS since 1982, thought highly of Pat Culler in our conversations during bus rides for AHS War Eagle football games. I’m covering the costs myself, but if anyone would like to contribute to help offset expenses, I would be deeply grateful. The tapes include footage of the homecoming parade, much of the 1987 "007" shows and work up to the Florida district Marching Band Contest, pregame field entries, auxiliary and cheerleaders in action, Football game performance and cheering in the stands. and even a Halloween party in the band room and much more.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1740121441/rn1m4e7tw0ecqifsjhqf.jpg" style="width:378px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> Donations of $10.00 or more will grant early access to some or all selected first-pass digital recordings of the tapes. For those with skills or who wish to help in other ways to complete the project, you can join in the fun—helping identify people, dates, and specific events in video clips available via my Google Drive until the final edits are complete for uploading to YouTube. A small logo of my Submarine Media site (TheSubVet.com) will appear on all final videos uploaded to the YouTube channel. All Donors will also be able to download the videos and clips in the highest resolution and sound available for use at their home to enjoy on TVs or devices at project completion with no watermarks. I estimate $2,000.00 as the cost for the time and tools (like equipment and software) needed to finish. I’m open to ideas from donors who want to help, especially if I’m underestimating costs or if parts of the effort can be improved. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1740121502/txofhbzvtzes42nmuajz.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> You can reach me at eric@thesubvet.com. And anyone is welcome to join our well moderated group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesubvet/  Anyone is welcome to join our well-moderated Facebook group at The Sub Vet to learn more about submarine life. It’s a great place for young teens or adults considering a Navy career in what I call “underwater Star Trek,” especially with the advanced Virginia-Class and Columbia-Class submarines. You can also read my submarine articles on X and watch my fun, engaging videos on YouTube through my website: www.TheSubVet.com. — Eric Ryle "Please ensure I have your name, email address, and contribution amount to grant you view access for your donations until the project is complete. All donors, regardless of the amount, will receive a link to download the highest-quality finished product upon project completion, once it is uploaded to YouTube for future generations as a digital CHS 1980's Time Capsule. You will be able to enjoy your own copy, free of watermarks, with your family and friends." "Oh, and a special note—Robbie Johnson's a trombone player, dad, who announced the band's performances for two years, was a submariner and retired as the Chief of the Boat (COB) on the USS George Washington (SSBN-598), our nation's first missile submarine. I remember seeing his submarine photos and shadowbox when I visited Robbie's house a few times. Who knew I would end up with much the same on my wall today? History doesn’t repeat <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1740121553/xhazpi2zuyk5frjylkqb.png" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" />

Hello First name,
 
 Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for registering to fundraise for our cause. Your efforts will make a significant impact, and we are excited to have you as part of our fundraising team. 👏
 
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 Eric Ryle eric@thesubvet.com

The Sub Vet

CHS ‘80s Revival: 1986–87 VHS Footage Restored in Memory of Patrick Culler

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