May 17, 2008

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A Soldier's Recruit

"I eventually went to the army and now I'm back on hometown recruit and I hope to recruit as many youth as possible."

Listen to this Commentary!

By Terrance Harris

I was in JROTC at Encinal High School and I went down to the recruitment station and Sergeant McGee introduced himself to me and the rest of his crew. He showed respect and appreciated my time as much as I appreciated his. Iraq is in a struggle.

But Sergeant McGee showed me how people weren't eating, they didn't have clothes, they didn't have shoes…and our purpose for being there…the Army going over there, a lot of things needed to be done, a lot of uncivilized ways.I gained a new reality and you can't hide from it. I eventually went to the army and now I'm back on hometown recruit and I hope to recruit as many youth as possible. They approach you…this uniform is powerful.

My first negative experience I ever had with someone…I was in uniform when a man came up to me, out of rage, and I'm a very relaxed person, but he said what the 'f' are you doing? And it's like his eyes went from clear white to red, bloody red. I told him this is my decision I needed to make. Some people ask me do I have fear as far as going to the army and getting hurt and I tell you, when you walk with the level of faith I walk in with the Lord, fear is not an option, not an idea, not a thought.

If Iraq is where they'd like to send me, I wouldn't mind going and experiencing it. I believe the benefits of it when you get back are powerful. Money can't buy what you understand, how you feel, and what what you see. How all that changes when you go on a tour like that in Iraq? This is just Oakland…I plan to see the world.


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