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Grandma and Grandpa Hemmer anniversary
My grandparents have been married for 62 years. Their dedication to one another and family helped teach me about commitment and being faithful. -
Grandpa Arch passing away
While my Grandpa Arch's life was cut short due to a heart attack in '78, his memory lived on through my grandmother. I never met my grandfather but my grandmother would tell me stories about him all the time. The respect he had for himself and others was unparalleled. One of the best things she ever told me was " how proud he would have been of me." I often think about him and when I need guidance I find myself asking him for help. -
My birthday
Clearly me being born is a huge impactful feat or I wouldn't be able to have explored and learned so much about myself. On the 3rd of July the world would never be the same!! I brought with me compassion and understanding as well as an never ending thirst for equality and acceptance for all. -
LA riot's
Being born and raised in Southern California, I never really saw race or color. I went to school with every ethnicity, race and religion. It wasn't until I saw the LA riots and what caused them did I see inequality and racial strife. The first time my dad took me to school was the day after due to fear of reprisal. This single event changed my life and the way I view race. Much like my grandfather I continue to choose to judge people by their actions rather than their race, religion or sex. -
Harsh cultural realization
Growing up in Southern California all I knew was beaches and seagulls. When I found out we were moving to Texas in the summer of '92, my sister and I could only imagine nothing but cowboys and big belt buckles. I honeslty thought most everyone in Texas rode horses around everywhere. Stereotypes are common in our culture but I am thnkaful that I was able to be open minded after the initial shock wore off and allowed me to accept Texas as different and now I call it home. -
Education of more strict standards
I always thought I was pretty respectful but not after my encounter with Ms. St. Pierre, my 8th grade English teacher. I thought using Ms. or Mr. was respectful but not to her. I asked if I could use the restroom but I didn't refer to her as "ma'am" so she told me no. For the rest of the year I refused to refer to her as ma'am. I learned quickly there after that in Texas there are different rules to respect and manners. I as well as my kids now live by those same "Texas" standards. -
Mr Knowles, my first mentor
While I might not have known it at the time, Mr. Knowles woud have a profound impact on my life and career choices after HS. At the time Mr. Knowles as "just" a Science teacher but has since beocme an Asst. Principal at my alma matar and ultimately led the path for which I look to follow. Always engaged with his students he never let one fall behind or feel less significant. I hope to be able to carry that same passion and impact when I get into my next profession. -
Leaving home and shedding tears
The hardest thing I ever had to do was say goodbye to my parents and leave for the AF. I grew up more in one day then I had in the past four years! I saw my dad cry for the first time and I realized then that it is ok for a man to cry. If anything a man crying shows heart and the ability to be openly emotional. It allowed me to cope with my departure and ultimately helped me become more resilient in my thinking and caring for others. -
The terror attacks of 9/11
Having been in the Pentagon the day of the attack was certainly memorable but the feelings I and the nation had afterward are just as memorable. Seeing people actually cross the street so not to walk by one who might be of Middle Eastern decent was tragic yet I found myself profiling certain ethnicites as well. My love for country was renewed and I had several conversations with friends frustrated because I didn't feel like I was doing my part for our country. -
Sharing my life with another
Marrying the love of my life on the 1st of April could easliy be the best and most impactful decision that has made me who I am today. Vowing to be with another person for life is a true commitment and one that I dont take lightly. On that day I made a choice to honor my family, my name and to dedicate my word not only to Marianne, my wife but our kids whom we will raise with our same beliefs and convictions. -
The birth of our son
To see our first born is an amzaing expereince in itself. But to look at him and know that I am respoponsible for raising him to be a real man was great. To know that I will have direct influence on his upbringnig and the ability to what I learned along the way is priceless. I felt in that moment that I was lucky to have him in my life and thankful to be able to be a part of something special.
