Memorial Day 2018: some serve America while most serve themselves

I come from a long line of heroes. I wrote about my great, great grandfather, Robert A. Lower, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor at the Siege of Vicksburg. He was one of 18 survivors from a regiment of 120 union solders who fought to end slavery in America.

Black Americans are free today because of the sacrifice of people like my grandfather.

Last week, a Portland, Oregon bar organized a “Reparations Happy Hour” for Black, Brown and indigenous people. Participants received $10 bills on arrival. The small, but symbolic gift, was funded primarily by White people who were asked not to attend. Black Americans are FREE today because of the sacrifice of people like my grandfather. He served this nation — and them. They now ask White people not to attend. African Americans do not honor people like my grandfather today!

My grandfather, Neils Knudsen, volunteered for WWI. He served his nation heroically. Sleeping on the frozen ground left him deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other. Although he left military service about 20 years of age, he suffered the loss of hearing his entire life. The picture below shows my grandfather holding me about 1960. His family was successful, due to his sacrifice and leadership.

My wife’s grandfather, Ray Larribas, served in WWII. He’s a decorated veteran, a POW who escaped NAZI captivity and rescued many others. On his return from war, he dedicated his life to serving America and veterans. I posted his heroic history on my personal website.

My father, Robert H. Goold, served in the Korean war. He assembled bombs on the aircraft carrier, USS Kearsarge. Considered the Forgotten War, the “long, leisurely and merciless” US bombing campaign dropped well over half a million tons of bombs, napalm and chemical weapons and leveled cities. My dad is shown below holding me as a baby.

My family encouraged military service. I received a senatorial appointment to Air Force Academy out of high school. When I learned I was too tall to fly fighter jets, I accepted an athletic scholarship to play basketball. I served the nation after graduation. I wasn’t a hero — but signed on the dotted line to defend the country and fellow citizens. The picture below shows me earning my Jump Wings after completing Airborne Ranger training at Fort Benning.

I directed my desire to serve toward other areas. As a teacher, I worked with Special Needs students — sadly, losing my job protecting a 15-year-old female student, who was verbally shamed and abused by male administrators. I directed a sports camp in Oregon for Special Needs athletes, HoopCamp.net, for some 15 years.

I served as a union vice president during my tenure with the State of New Mexico Workers’ Compensation administration. My African American bureau chief lied about me to remove the watchdog threat to management.

On May 22, 2018, I wrote to the current WCA director, Darin Childers, and my former chief, Richard Adu-Asamoah, to offer them an opportunity to right the wrong.

Good morning Darin and Richard,
I found this job post in my email box last Saturday. What happened to me was unjust. I know Richard must feel badly for speaking untruthfully about me. He’s a good man and his action will haunt him the rest of his life.

Here’s an opportunity for us to start over. We can forgive each other and make this right. I enjoyed my job. We had decent professional relations. Shall we right this wrong?

Thanks,
Scott

Neither responded. They are too embarrassed and fearful now. Like rats on a dirty ship, they hide in shadows and scurry around when none are looking. Neither served America. Mr. Childers completed a Mormon mission for his church — hoping to earn himself a fancy kingdom in heaven. Mr. Adu-Asamoah immigrated from Ghana and relied on the gracious support from Americans to complete his advanced education at Columbia University. In return, he cheated to keep his job. Welcome of America 2018. Few serve, while most instead serve themselves to America’s bounty.

Richard Adu-Asamoah, do you want reparations as well? Give me a call. I’ve got $10 for you! You took most everything else from our family. 

To the heroes who have served and fallen, we salute you on this Memorial Day. All fought to defend the glorious ideals of America. It’s sad how few citizens understand what sacrifice really means today.

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