#pacehighschool

Shortly after I graduated high school, I went to Antigua for a mission trip with my church. Olive Baptist church in Pensacola Florida was a second home for me during my high school years. Every time the doors were open, I believe I was either there or wanted to be. My senior year of high school, I joined the youth choir and sang my heart out. I am not sure I could sing so well but in a group of gifted singers, I could sing very well as far as anyone listening could tell. And the nice thing about singing in a choir, if I ever forgot the words to a particular song, I received invaluable advice to mouth the words, “cantaloupe cantaloupe, watermelon watermelon.” Thankfully, I never had to use that advice. It was a long time ago and I’d like to say that I joined the choir so I could share the gospel and maybe I did at the time, but I was also interested in going on the youth choir mission trip to Antigua so uh… that helped.

The last six months of high school, I worked part time as a pizza delivery driver. It was a great job for the most part. I never had any issues though one time, someone, after paying me, asked how much money I had, then told me they were going to rob me. Without missing a beat, I replied, “Not tonight sir, it’s been along day” and I turned around and walked back to my car without waiting for a reply. Now, they were probably joking, and sitting in the comforts of my home writing this, I am sure they were joking but when I was just a kid alone on a dark street with two bigger fellas, I wasn’t so sure. But I was tired and completely honest in thinking “Not tonight, it’s been a long day.” Anyway, I had requested time off, so I could go on this mission trip and the management said no. I wasn’t the type to ask for time off and as far as I knew, I was a good worker. No writeups. No complaints. I was surprised, but I felt that I really needed to go on this youth choir mission trip, so I did what any responsible 18-year-old would do: I quit my job. I put in my two weeks’ notice and was told not to worry about it… so I didn’t.

At the time, I was going through the process of trying to join the Marine Corps. It’s really kind of funny, most people that knew me as a kid up until about 10th grade knew, just knew, that I was going to join the military. Up until that point, I thought I was too. Then in high school, I started hanging out with older classmates and I started to relax. I was always so uptight. I grew my hair a little longer - shocking. I got involved in drama and acted in a school play. I even played the part of a kid that had no clue what to do on a date, while acting like he did, with a girl that acted innocent, but wasn’t. At least for my part, that wasn’t too far from the truth, maybe that is why I did so well. After those experiences, by the time I hit my senior year, I had done a complete 180 and had no interest in joining the military. I was going to make movies! At least, that’s what I thought I wanted to do.

Now, I had friends that were joining the military and so I went along with them to go talk to recruiters. That’s where I met Gunnery Sergeant Monica Baconovich. She was a recruiter for the Marine Corps and I made it pretty clear that I wasn’t going to join. I wasn’t interested. I had asthma when I was kid, etc. But I have to admit, she was pretty good. I know a lot of people have horror stories about their recruiter, but I have to say, she was a Godsend for me. If it wasn’t for her asking me questions about how I was going to accomplish my goals and providing options, I don’t think I would have gotten as far down the road as I have. Not only did she provide me options, but she also didn’t give up when there were easier people to recruit. Getting a medical waiver was not an easy task. After talking, she told me, so you want to make movies? Yup. You have money for college? Nope… maybe… I don’t know. Well, you know, the Marines do have this job called combat camera where you can learn how to make movies and you can get the GI Bill too, to help out with school. I sort of knew about the GI Bill but nothing about being a combat camera guy. When I heard this, it awoke something deep inside and gave me a chance to knock out two birds with one stone. In the pit of my soul, I always wanted to be a marine. My older brother was a marine. And now, I had a chance to accomplish not only the goal of becoming one but also learn about something that fit in with my idea of what I wanted to do. It didn’t take long for me to get the ball rolling. I couldn’t lie to join the military and having asthma really was a disqualifier. I had to go to medical boards. I had several people write letters of recommendation on my behalf, for which I am still grateful. There were a bunch of hoops to jump through and finally, I sent off my package to get approved or denied. I wasn’t sure how long I would have to wait.

Weeks passed by and the mission trip to Antigua came up. It was such a great experience. It was my first time out of the country. We sang at local churches and even did a youth field day for all the local children. But just like every trip with youth groups, it wasn’t without drama. Nothing too crazy but people form up into groups, people pair off, things are taken for granted and invariably, drama happens. Thankfully, I have always been one of those that could get along with everyone and the drama never seemed to be directed at me.

It was a week long and I learned a lot. The world became a little smaller to me, but I was ready to get home when the time came. When we returned from the trip and to the church, my mom was waiting for me in the parking lot with an envelope from the medical board. I opened it and read it. I couldn’t contain my emotion. I was so excited that I ran around screaming and telling everyone that would listen, “They cleared me! I can join the Marines!” Ah… the innocence of youth.