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| Duty
Position(s): Sentinel Assistant Relief Commander Relief: Brief Army History: Units: |
Personal Gallery |
| Awards
/ Decorations: Army Commendation Medal Army Good Conduct Medal Parachutist Badge Expert Infantryman's Badge Tomb Guard Identification Badge Expert Rifle Badge |
|
Highest Rank:
Sergeant (E-5) |
| Home
City / State: Shawnee, Oklahoma |
Date of Birth: |
After the Army:
Police Officer – Shawnee Police Dept, Shawnee, Ok – 1980 - 1982
State Trooper – Oklahoma Highway Patrol – 1982- present
Current
Occupation:
Captain – Oklahoma Highway Patrol
Family
Information:
Degrees/Schooling:
A.S. - Seminole State College, Seminole, Ok
B.A. - University of Oklahoma, Norman, Ok
FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va
Most Memorable Moment at Tomb:
There are many
memorable moments. Like most Sentinels, I
remember my first walk and my last. However,
my most memorable moment at the Tomb was during a guard change, where I was
struck by the bayonet near the eye. As the
Relief Commander spun the M-14 during the inspection, he lost control of the
weapon and the bayonet and rifle struck my hat and head.
I was cut near the left eye and the impact knocked off my hat and sun
glasses. I remained at attention and the
Relief Commander continued and finished the inspection, returning my weapon back
to me. It was during the summer, and we
had a very large crowd covering the plaza. Several
ladies standing nearby became distraught and the Security Guards came rushing
near as they did not see what happened, only that I was bleeding severely.
By then, blood was running freely down my face and onto my blues.
After only a moment, my uniform was covered with blood and the Relief
Commander sent me back down stairs. Another
Sentinel was dispatched and the guard change continued.
I went to the medics and they taped it shut with a few butterfly bandages
and I returned to man night hours. Several
VIP’s came to visit me and our Relief as they had word that a Sentinel was
struck in the eye on the plaza. All was
well, except for a most unusual guard change…..OOORAHH!!!.
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