Originally Posted by redwitch

Thanks to my father's career choice (U.S. Army, transporation specialist frequently assigned to embassies to determine ingress, egress, supply and emergency routes), I've had the privilege of meeting some very famous people. Dad invited Elvis Presley to dinner while he was filming G.I. Blues. What a truly sweet man he was. Did his best to make everyone comfortable -- even admired my brother's model airplanes.

However, my favorite famous person was the one I called "Uncle Billy." Whenever he came to the house, I refused to let him until he gave me a ride on his shoulders. As I got older, he told me many wonderful and tragic stories about segregation in the military. Uncle Billy was the first black graduate of West Point and the commander of the Tuskogee Airmen. His father, whom I also had the privilege meeting, was the first black general. So, with great pride I say I had the privilege of knowing Gen. Benjamin O. Davis. (And don't ask me why I called him Uncle Billy and why no one ever corrected me cause I have no idea.)

I've met others over the years but these were the two most important to me. They were also two the nicest, most gracious people I've ever met.