As a young child growing up in Louisiana and New Mexico, I was mesmerized by the look of the soldiers in their uniforms. Starched fatigues and shiny boots, or on special occasions they wore khakis with their boots. I knew I wanted to be a soldier...
I finally got my chance and enlisted in 1966, and retired in 1992 with 24 years of service. I personally completed two combat tours in Vietnam. I was approached by one of my brothers and we talked about the number of family members who had served in the five branches of the military. I estimated that we had over 150 to 200 years of service combined. Since my retirement I have had the opportunity to set and talk, call or text other family members and gather information about their respective family members who have served in the military. My father is the oldest living servicemember in our family; he's 93 years old and served in Korea and Vietnam, and retired in 1969 with 22 years of service. In 2020 on Veterans Day I presented him with a framed document listing all our family members who have served and are currently serving in the branches of the military. To our surprise we had over 565 years of continuous service in the military and still counting. I recently got some more information from relatives of their children who are serving in the military now, that takes us over 600 years of service. What is so amazing about this is the fact that all of these family members come from New Orleans (Jefferson Parish) and the communities of Burnside (Ascension Parish) and St. James Parish. I will challenge any family to top these numbers. Of the 47 names listed, 17 of them did 20 years or more in the military. These servicemembers include male and female. These are all extensions of the Irvin and Williams families. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.