DVIDS – News – Family Business

As I stand firm in the uniform proudly worn by generations before me, I can’t help but feel the weight of history sewn into every fabric. My journey in the military is more than just a career choice. It is a legacy that predates my own existence. This is a continuation of an important tradition that I like to call a family business.

For my family, military service is a common obligation across four generations. It is a legacy etched into my family’s story, passed down like a treasured heirloom through stories of sacrifice and triumph that resonate through time.

We are more than just soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. We are custodians of our heritage and custodians of stories that extend beyond our individual experiences. Each deployment, every hardship endured, every victory celebrated, and every promotion earned adds another chapter to the ongoing story of our family’s unwavering dedication to service.

When I put on my uniform, I am reminded of the legacy created by my great-grandmother Strody. She may have been rooted in Florida soil throughout her life, but her legacy blossomed and reached every corner of the world through her descendants.

My great-grandmother was the creator of 18 American heroes, including two children, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild over more than a century.

As the eldest of Strody’s six children, Uncle Jim naturally assumed the patriarchal role within the family, a position he held throughout my life until he left Earth last year. I still vividly remember Sunday school mornings at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church. As children, we all gathered around and listened to Uncle Jim’s stories. Uncle Jim’s stories about the Korean War and riding the Red Ball Express fueled my youthful imagination.

I now view these stories as poignant reminders of our family’s enduring commitment to serving this country. He also came to deeply appreciate the value of each of these stories, as they served as powerful expressions of his unwavering pride in serving this country. This is a pride that has run through the veins of my family for generations.

As I reflect on the people who have been pillars of inspiration in my life, I am deeply humbled by their enduring legacy and deeply grateful for the impact they have had on my military career. Masu. That includes my mother, retired Army Sergeant John Johnson. Terena Hogue, whose strength and perseverance were unparalleled. My cousin, Army Colonel Ivan Udel, not only served as my first re-enlistment officer, but also took me in as his own while his mother was deployed to Iraq. My favorite cousin, retired Navy Commander. Anitra Mingo has successfully balanced her motherhood with 27 years of dedicated service. And my uncle, retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Stewart Udell, taught me the importance of always exuding confidence.

Standing firmly next to me are three people entrusted with the sacred duty of upholding our family’s traditions. Javion Hogue, and my cousins, Chief Petty Officer Vinisha Udell and Air Force Staff Sergeant Vinisha Udell. Keyvon Murray.

Together, we solemnly recognize the weight of our responsibility and the magnitude of our duty, and we await the moment when we pass this torch to the next generation who will carry on what began long before our time. .

Being an African American in the military presents unique challenges, a truth that my extended family knew all too well. But it is precisely this history that drives my determination. I take their struggles with me and turn adversity into a source of strength.

I proudly wear the fabrics of this country every day, knowing that I am not only inheriting a tradition, but shaping it. This family business is not about medals or rankings. It’s about the heartbeat of shared obligation that unites us across generations. This is a legacy I am proud to inherit, and I stand on the shoulders of giants, ready to add my chapter to the enduring story of service, sacrifice, and heritage that defines us as a family. I know that it is made.