John Pendrey

A man who has served his country. Who has time and time again kept me on track with both my education and lifestyle. Not to mention provided for my family my entire life... This man being my father. My father being ethical, moral, successful, respectful, and loving. My father being my hero.

My father began his contributions to the world serving in the army as military police for three years, two of which were served in Korea. Then he moved on to serve further in the U.S. Coast Guard, working as a boatswain's mate for three of those years on rescue boats, a gunner's mate for ten more years, and an addictions preventions specialist for his last six years. This all coming to a total of nineteen years of service in the Coast Guard and 22 years of military service. He then retired from the military and became a clinical director and gave even more to his country by becoming an addiction therapist for veterans with the VA. This led to his becoming a vocational rehabilitation specialist and housing program manager, and currently, to his position as a program director with the goal of housing all the homeless veterans on the street.

This same man, along with the help of my mother, has helped keep me on track with my education and the decisions I've made throughout life. It is because of their influence together that I won't have to pay anything for the first four years of college. Had it not been for their encouragement, and particularly my father's, I would not have been able to accomplish such a goal. I am leaving high school this year, graduating with honors, happily exiting with a 3.83 GPA, all thanks to his heartfelt guidance. Guidance I needed in order to help find success in life.

Thanks to his military experience and work for the VA, my dad has been able to provide for my family without my mom needing to work, allowing for her to stay home while he keeps us housed comfortably, fed healthily, and clothed properly. It is because of him that we can live the happy and worry free lifestyle we get to live today. And if I needed it, he could even help provide the financial aid I would need for college. I can only pray to be able to provide for my future wife and kids the same way he has been able to provide for my mother, brother, and me. And one day, hoping to continue his work with the VA, I may be able to.

My father is a man who I doubt exists only as my hero, but as the hero of many other heroes who have served their country at one point in time, just like he did. He is the man who has kept me on track in my education, morals, and ethics. He is the man who has helped me determine what I wish to do with my life. The same man who has kept me comfortably fed and warm, and has loved my mother, brother, and me like no one else. This man is my dad. This man is my hero!