Uncle Horace and my mother (Mary Parker Brown) pinning my gold 2LT bars at my Officer Candidate School graduation in July 1979.

I often reflect on how my journey has shaped in a variety of ways, taking note of those who’ve impacted my decisions. From our life experiences, a personal victory narrative can take shape, one that becomes solid and surefire.

My late Uncle Horace influenced my decision to serve my country and had such a story which  I had the privilege of seeing it ‘up close and personal.’

He was my late mother’s middle brother. With two years between them, they carried a very similar grit in their personalities—from their best to not so great selves. My mother, a single parent of four—extremely focused and hardworking—often sought her brother’s counsel. A side note of interest here: All four of us— my sister, two brothers as well as I mentioned myself—did stints of varying ranges in the army, with some measure of influence from Uncle Horace.

My mother and her middle brother Uncle Horace Christmas 2008

So as a very involved and concerned brother, Uncle Horace filled in the gap, there for me as a father figure—offering a caring guidance in my life in many ways. For that I am grateful. He was pleased when I enlisted in the army in June 1978 and immediately pursued the track for my commission through Officer Candidate School (OCS). I called Uncle Horace for advice as I was making preparations to attend OCS in July 1979—and to borrow money for purchasing additional uniforms and other items needed for this journey (a request which he graciously obliged). Sharing with me on what to expect in his familiar grounds of the US Army Infantry School in Fort Benning Georgia, he told me it would be tough and encouraged me to give it my best. It was and I did. Training in the heat, red clay hills and dense woods of the area tested me in ways I didn’t know existed. But I greatly wanted those Second Lieutenant (2LT) gold bars and felt some of that inherited family grit pushing me on.

Uncle Horace made sure he was there for my OCS graduation to celebrate my completing this defining fourteen week lesson of learning to lead as an army officer. And give me my first salute!

His deep and enduring imprint on mine as well as the lives of countless others is duly noted.

The voyager must necessarily return home.

Nigerian proverb

The time to cement his legacy came on December 7, 2011, when the Lord took him home, after he’d bravely waged a challenging good fight with his health, just as any faithful soldier would. He now serves in the Master’s army, and I’m sure he’s leading in whatever way he can ‘up yonder.’ Uncle Horace’s final jump took him to the ultimate victory— mission accomplished!

Parts excerpted from my book, Hardcore Leadership: 11 Master Lessons from My Airborne Ranger Uncle’s “Final Jump”  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1479324760