“THEY TOLD ME”

“They told me I wouldn’t live to be 2 yrs. old because they found me starving on someone’s porch…. I’m 55 now…. They told me I wasn’t smart enough and that I didn’t need a higher education…… I have an AA, BS and MS. They told me I would never be part of anything worthwhile. I’m a member of MD-Military-Holding-Lodge No. 122 - MWPHGL of Maryland, The Monday Cub (Oldest Social Club for African-American Men in Delaware and maybe the Nation—1876) recently resigned, The Drill Sergeant Association, and Bethel AME Church to name a few. They told me the Army wasn’t the way to go and I was wasting my time and the organization wouldn’t teach me anything. I was Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Detachment NCOIC, CID Investigator, Drill Sergeant and an EO Advisor for 5,000 Soldiers and Civilians just to name a few. It has taught me a lot. They told me I couldn’t run a full marathon. I finished in the top half. They told me I was too small for martial arts—I received a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido and a Red Sash (Chamber 5) in Kung-Fu. They told me that I will fail in life. The Lord has blessed me with a lovely wife, four grown men (sons), a lovely stepdaughter, and six grandchildren. It was rough getting there, but I’m here.” (Started from the bottom) They told me I would never, never find my bloodline. Well, I found my birth mother, father, sisters and brothers and a host of cousins and combined my bloodline to my family that raised me and taught me everything I needed to know about life altogether into one big happy family. I now have two mothers and fathers. THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME THOSE THINGS.… KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, AND LIVE YOUR DREAMS. MAKE NO EXCUSES….

Kevin I. J. A. Barnett, Sr. is a Retired Non-Commissioned Officer of the United States Army. He has served in Germany, Afghanistan and many stateside tours during his career. He is married to Sharon F. Pelham and does motivational speaking when time permits.