Where did you serve and what did you do?
I served on active duty for 22 1/2 years in the Regular Army. I served all over the world and stateside. I was part of the team that developed the very first secure computer for the services and agencies. I served in Berlin GE right before the wall fell.
How are you #StillServing?
After I retired from the Army, I wanted to give back to the state that prepared me to be successful in the military. I chose to teach High School in the Mississippi Delta. I spent 14 years teaching in Rolling Fork, MS and 6 years teaching in Vicksburg, MS. Before I retired from teaching, I was selected as teacher of the year. While I was still teaching, I felt a calling to go into the ministry and became a pastor. I am still serving the United Methodist Church as a full time pastor.
Why do you do it?
Even though I came from a poor family without much education, I was able to get an education that prepared me for a life of service to my country, to my state, and to people across the globe. Since I came from a poor family, I wanted to show the kids in poor rural areas that there was a way out of poverty, and a way to have a successful career. I trained my soldiers to be successful, led my students to be successful, and now try to provide comfort and guidance to people who are struggling with life.