By Marnita Coleman
Special to the AFRO
In tribute to the extraordinary African-American veterans who served in the United States military, this week, the AFRO honors eight servicemembers across the United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, United States Army, United States Army Reserves and United States Air Force for their collective 136 years of active duty.
Our veterans proudly shared their names, ages, hometowns, ranks and years of service, each with a testament about their journey. All gave glory to God and His protective hand, which they say guided them through trials and triumphs of their time in their respective service branches.
These brave men and women stood on the frontlines, leaving behind families and comforts to face the dangers of warzones, driven by an unwavering commitment to protect their nation and uphold its values.
Each person interviewed offered a unique story of faith and devotion—a faith that continues to strengthen them in moments of adversity and bind them closer to their purpose. Their words, raw and powerful, offer a glimpse into the courage, dedication and love it takes to sacrifice for others.
Participants gave answers to two questions:
Question 1 (Q1): Can you describe the moment that deepened your faith and commitment?
Question 2 (Q2): How has faith helped you through your time of service?
Let their stories touch your heart—each word a powerful reminder of resilience and sacrifice.
Gean Alston, 62
Flint, Mich.
Chief Master Sergeant
United States Air Force
30 years of service
Q1: I was performing duty in Iraq as the enlisted leader for a security forces unit and while on a combat patrol, the vehicle I was in started to slide down an embankment. I remember thinking, Lord, it’s “in your hands.
The vehicle somehow stopped midway down the embankment. Nearby, team members were able to connect a military winch (a very thick rope used for towing) and pulled the vehicle up and onto the road. All team members that were in the vehicle were able to climb up out of the top of the vehicle (through the gunner’s position) to safety. I would later write a song titled, “In His Hands,” with lyrics referring to this incident… “He’s your rope in sinking sand.”
Q2: I have always exercised faith in my military service. As military members, we never know what is around the corner or what situation we will find ourselves in. Training and preparation are very important, but can only take you so far.
I’ve learned through my service that– for me– faith has to be the foundation. I’ve had many “near misses,” only to later realize that with God…they were “intentional misses.” From covering my family during my deployments to keeping me safe while in harm’s way; surviving over 100 mortar attacks; leading combat patrol missions and walking away from vehicle accidents without a scratch. Faith is a powerful thing!
Edna Saheeb, 39
Greenville, N.C.
Technical Sergeant
United States Air Force
17 years of service
Q1: My commitment was deepened when I was going through basic training, walking out my faith in godly behavior because others were watching me. I knew keeping my trust in God would help me make it through.
Q2: My faith helped me through service by staying focused and knowing that God is my Protector and keeping my trust in Him– especially when it looked grim.
Porsche Grayson, 34
Orlando Fla.
Staff Sergeant
United States Army Reserves
15 years of service
Q1: On Dec. 25, 2010, while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, I experienced a moment that forever deepened my faith. It was my first deployment, and being away from family and Christmas traditions made the season feel especially difficult. My roommates and I decided to celebrate despite being under increasingly intense and frequent attacks. We sat together, singing our favorite gospel songs telling each other the Bible verses our grandmothers and mothers used before leaving–even as the sounds of explosions grew closer.
In that moment, all the training I’d received faded. All we could do was pray. When the attack finally subsided, we realized that the only building left untouched on the row was the one we were in. From that day on, I knew without a doubt that God was real and that His protection surrounded us.
Q2: Throughout my service, my faith has been my foundation and source of strength. It’s given me courage in challenging times and a sense of purpose and calm in situations where fear and uncertainty would otherwise take hold. My faith has been an anchor, keeping me grounded through every day– either good or bad.
Aarica Carrington, 30
Baltimore
Lieutenant Junior Grade
United States Coast Guard
Seven years of service
Q1: When I got out of the military and had to start my civilian life, I had to reassimilate, grow outside of my previous ranks, titles, identities, affinity groups and personalities. I had to develop to survive and find myself again outside of the uniform.
When military life is over, you leave alone, and you primarily start over again, rebuilding yourself. During this transition like any transition in life, there will be heavy dark days–loneliness, frustration, confusion and a lack of purpose. I wasn’t weaponized correctly to face these challenges on my own without the necessary tools to do so. I went back to my home church, Empowerment Temple, surrendered myself and decided I needed structure to rebuild my relationship with God.
Q2: In bootcamp and officer candidate school, I went to church to keep my spirits high. The intense environment of shedding your old self through new routines, physical and emotional strain can cause your spirit to bend and break sometimes during the forming and storming phases.
I stayed true to my faith in God during my service, but I showed it in different ways. Being at sea and standing watch did not give you much time to commit and focus on your faith with the business of the mission. You find ways where your faith is tested, or you see the need to cover, bless and care for someone else. You feel the urge to use your faith in God to make them feel empowered, inspired, comforted and safe. I did this in my leadership style for my younger enlisted, who were away from home and in very impressionable age groups. The challenges they faced affected them a lot harder than others who faced adversity many times before. That is where faith helped me in the service, it gave me the words to say to support my crew, shipmates and military family. My faith made sure that no matter what I faced–personally with leadership, with senior commands, or in a mission– my spirit never shattered; and when it was broken, I knew how to mend it back together again.
Samuel Perry, 53
Savannah, Ga.
Major
United States Army
37 years of service
Q1: Combat deployment to Afghanistan was ultra enlightening. I woke up one morning to an “unexploded” 155mm North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) artillery shell on my roof. It deepened my faith in God!
Q2: It is only through God’s grace and His mercy that we can achieve anything in life. I have spent 37 years in a military career, and I am here to tell the story. I am humbled and thankful. All the glory to Him!
Civ Jones, 43 (and fine!)
Born in Germany, raised in Aberdeen, Md.
Staff Sergeant
United States Army Reserves
21 years of service
Q1:Recently, I felt God calling me to a three-day fast. Weeks leading up, I kept hearing the words “Holy Ghost fire,” in my spirit. God was arresting me and calling me to come back. I surrendered and focused on his Word through listening to scriptures, reading the Bible and praying.
Q2: My faith is what fuels my determination and belief in myself. Throughout my military career, I’ve experienced God’s grace in countless ways. I can hardly believe how far I’ve come. It’s truly by His grace that I’m still here, serving with purpose!
Oscar L. Cason, 48
Auburn, Ala.
Sergeant (E-5)
United States Marine Corps
Five years of service
Q1:I was participating in a Marine Corps Special Forces indoctrination (Reconnaissance Marines aka Recon Indoc), where I wanted to quit during a five-mile beach run with a 60-pound backpack. I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to keep pressing and finish, regardless of the amount of discomfort I experienced in my body.
Q2: During my service, we used the motto “mind over matter.” The Holy Spirit showed me truth in the statement and revealed a deeper understanding of my faith and how it operates the same way. Everything I believe God for is “spirit over the physical.” My favorite scripture which supports this type of lifestyle is Matthew 5:41. “He who compels you to go with him one mile, go with him two.”
Diamond Jones, 25
Lynchburg, Va.
Corporal
United States Army
Four years of service
Q1: This is short but sweet! A moment that deepened my commitment to my faith was when I started to lead with gratitude. My entire life changed for the better.Q2: My faith helped me through service by keeping me grounded and focused on the mission, knowing that the service was just a stepping stone to my beautiful life journey!
The post An AFRO spotlight on excellence: Meet the veterans walking by faith appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
