3 minute read
NOMINEES - PAUL HASTY, PAULA POLK, RALPH MCCOY & WILLIE H. BREAZELL
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staff SERGEANT
Paul Hasty
Veteran | 12 years in the Army
Whats your perspective on patriotism?
We went to war but I went to war for me and my family more than I did the United States. Not that I am not a patriot. I bleed red, white, and blue but I understand that as a black man we are not treated equally. So my focus was to do a good job in the military so that I could come out and have a good job and a good life for my family. But very sincerely when I first went in I was still being called the n-word
I was being treated differently than my other white soldiers and I just understood that so I had to act accordingly. It is what it is, it got me what I want. I wanted to go in and get a medical degree. I wanted to see the country. I mean, I went to the Holy Land on Uncle Sam’s dime. You can’t make that up. I got to Germany on Uncle Sam. I mean, I went to Holland, Egypt, Israel. So the army did me good and I got what I went in to get.
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myblackcolorado.com/military
Sergeant
Paula Polk
Veteran | 12 years in the Army
What area of your life has the military helped you grow the most in?
Learning that no matter what challenges you face in life never give up and try to help others who one day may encounter those same obstacles and help them overcome it as you did.
What was your experience transitioning from active duty to civilian life?
My experiences were hard, I did not want to leave the military. But, after a year long deployment, getting hurt and knowing that I was getting ready to deploy again was to much. I was also an MST survivor not getting then help I needed.
What do you do, post active duty?
I am now a supervisor GS-11 Administrative Officer for Care Management & Social Work Service. I started working for the Department of Defense while on terminal leave from the Army. So I have a total of nearly 29 years of federal service.
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myblackcolorado.com/military
Ralph Mccoy
Veteran | 8 years in the Air Force
Ralph McCoy is an Army & Air force Vet! Currently working for the DOD as a civilian in the aviation industry. Ralph is the small business owner of PHF Design Ltd based in Fountain, Co. Ralph is one of the first initial team members of My Black Colorado, assisting the founder with small projects as a Design Consultant. Ralph is a proud father of 4, Married to his lovely wife Sheri McCoy who works as a teacher for Wildfield School D3.
What area of your life has the military helped you grow the most in?
The military has helped me obtain my Bachelor’s Degree, getting the opportunity to travel the world. I’ve been to one of the coldest places in the world (Antarctica) and one of the hottest places in the world (Kuwait). I have a better perspective of our world, The military has allowed me to experience many cultures.
Read Full Interview at
myblackcolorado.com/military
captain
Willie H. Breazell
Veteran | 26 Years in the Army
Why did you join the Military?
I joined the Army in July 1961 upon graduating from high school, and was inspired to join by older cousins who seem to enjoy both the Army and Air Force.
What advice would you give to others transition into civilian life?
My transition from the military was somewhat easy, as I made friends with retired junior and senior officers, who help me find a quality civilian position as a Intelligence Operation research analyst within a short period of leaving active duty. Since leaving the military, I have been the president of the local branch of the NAACP, twice president of the rotary club, elected the CS District 11 School Board, co founder of the Black Latino Leadership Coalition, and as NAACP president spearheaded the establishment of the MLK, Jr By-pass over 20 years ago.
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