As a young black man, I took a lot flack for joining back in 1978, But I was ok with it. For me it was my destiny my desire, since I was five years old to wear the Uniform of the United States Army, just like my Uncle George and my Brother John and my cousin Melvin. I was proud of them and looked up to them. When I in the fourth grade I met a white man named Marvin he owned Dean’s Cleaners, he gave me my first job. Marvin had served in the Navy during World War Two his ship had been sunk in battle and him and two shipmates left out at sea in a raft for several day before being picked up. Me and Marvin talked a lot about what was going on in the world and he was like a second father to me.  So, I will say that he changed my destiny for now I wanted to go not into the Army but the Navy. So that is why I choose to serve in the Navy.

My Uncle George watched me grad from Boot camp seeing how proud of me he was seeing me in my uniform still bring tears to my eyes. I am proud of my Family whom have served this country well. In many different Jobs. While my Father did not serve his brothers did, my mother worked in the bomber plant during WW2 and her brothers served, and I am not the only one to go to the navy as cousin on my mother side also was Navy. But what I am most proud of is the three sisters whom served as Blue Star Mothers. My mom and her two sisters worked hard serving vets in the hospital returning from Vietnam. As a kid talking to these men helping them in a sense pushed me closer to my future.

Now I must say this I do not think everyone should go to the service, but I do think that everyone is responsible to protect those who serve. From being missed used. We are here because we believe strongly about our freedom and are willing to put our life on the line to protect that freedom for freedom is not free.  You that stay home your job is to make sure that Congress and the President are doing what is best for all the people and not repeat the wrongs of before i.e. (Vietnam, McCathyism). These two events separate but the same in that they will forever be dark periods in our history when the people closed their eyes and ears to what was going on choosing to walk in silence will their family and friends’ lives are devalued.  For every vote not taken, is the life of a soldier or sailor dying, our vote counts not voting costs lives.

I am no different from any other man I served for GOD and my Country and have no regrets. I ask you whom have not, can you say the same or did you choose to be silent?