A Tribute to Cecil Belgrave, World War I Veteran
Proudly displayed on his enclosed front porch wall, my uncle’s army uniform had been spray-painted silver by my aunt, a unique tribute to his service in WWI. As a Barbados immigrant, he rests at Offutt Air Force Base (AFB) cemetery in Nebraska. I was a pole bearer at his funeral.
My Father’s Journey as an Air Force Veteran
My father, a Panamanian immigrant, is an Air Force veteran. Enlisting in the Air Force provided immigrants with a faster path to citizenship. Our life as an Air Force family took us to exotic locations like Lincoln, Nebraska; Riverside, California; Minot, North Dakota; and Bellevue, Nebraska. During our stay in California, my dad spent a year in Vietnam. He sent us tape recordings, helping us stay connected.
Discovering the United States Air Force Academy
In middle school, my best friend, Ken, came to school one day wearing a T-shirt with his last name above the letters USAFA. I asked him what USAFA stood for, and he explained it stood for the United States Air Force Academy.
He explained it was a college where every student was on a government scholarship, and he eventually planned to attend it. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t thinking about college then, but that planted the seeds. Ken ended up taking a different path, graduating from Cornell University.
The Path to the Air Force Academy
I enrolled in Air Force Junior ROTC in senior high school, knowing it would help my application to the Academies. At the time, I was leaning toward joining the long grey line. The opportunity to walk the same courtyards and hallways as Ulysses Grant, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry O. Flipper, and Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. attracted me.
I was fortunate to receive scholarships from all three academies. In the end, I decided to go to the Air Force Academy. My dad’s successful Air Force career, the four-year government scholarship, and the proximity to my home in Nebraska influenced my decision.
Four years later, I graduated, receiving my commission as an Air Force Second Lieutenant entering the signal intelligence career field. During my career, I was assigned to Seoul, South Korea; Shaw AFB, South Carolina; and Sembach and Hahn Air Bases, Germany.
A Father’s Pride in His Son’s Choice
My son, Nathaniel, and I were attending a prospective cadet dinner at West Point. The cadet chaplain asked Nate about his first college choice, and his “West Point” response floored me. I say floored because Nate was a very social student in high school and talked about wanting to experience “campus life” by attending a civilian college.
Also, when Nate was born, I was already a civilian working in the corporate world, so he only saw pictures of me in uniform. He graduated, joined the Long Grey Line, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2023.
A New Generation’s Commitment to Service
I had the honor of swearing him into the Army officer ranks. His great-uncle, who served in the Army during World War I, would have been so proud to see his great-nephew graduate from West Point. Nate is now proudly serving his country at Fort Liberty in North Carolina.
Reflecting on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, I reflect on my family’s legacy of service and sacrifice across generations. From my uncle’s bravery in World War I to my father’s Air Force service, my journey as an Air Force officer, and now my son’s commitment to the Army, each story reminds me of the strength and resilience woven into the fabric of our lives.
These memories represent more than just a lineage – they are a tribute to all who have served. As we honor veterans today, may we recognize the profound impact of their sacrifices on their families, communities, and country. To all veterans, thank you for your service, dedication, and courage.
