Heroes

I grew up in Sacramento, California and have lived here my entire life. Growing up as a kid I played sports in my everyday life and my parents couldn’t get me to come inside when the street lights came on. My older brother and I would play wiffle ball out in the front yard all day. We always had wiffle ball tournaments in our front yard. We even kept stats for our league during the summertime. Every summer revolved around sports and outdoor activities. Our favorite camping spot was in Loon Lake, near Camino. It was your conventional roung camping style. There was no other people out there but us. It was always the most peaceful camping site, and we always went to the same spot every summer. We set up our camp site right next to this huge boulder that overlooked the lake. There was a little green small, mossy pond located right behind us. The lake was always very cold even in the 100 degree heat. The water was fresh enough to drink. I haven’t been then in over seven years, but i plan on reliving my old memories.

Most of the summer was spent training for our AAU baseball team, and soccer season. We were always in great shape due to all the time spent running around in sports. I played on a traveling competitive soccer team that visited places in San Ramon and castro valley. These were the best years of my life. I had very little responsibilites as a kid , and if I did have any they were for my sports teams. All the time and effort spent on sports paid off when I got into high school.

I played basketball and football in high school. I was one of the better athletes most of my life and I played junior varisity as a freshman. Our cross town rivals from Jesuit were our worthy adversary. We only beat them one time in my four years in football. There school was normally ranked number one in the city. We hadn’t beat them in 13 year, until my senior class beat them 14-13. That was the most grueling game I have ever played. I used to be the kick and punt returner and I also played wide receiver and strong safety. I got hit by my own teammate right before half time and I received a concussion. I didn’t want to tell my coaches in fear of not playing the second half which would have most definitely happened. I was apart of history by our school beating the jugernaut in Jesuit high school. I never played football again after my senior year, but I always knew I could have played at the next level. I made second team all city team and received partial scholarships to Cal Poly and St. Mary’s. I am sureif I had the chance to go back and do it all again I would have elected to play football and taken advantage of my athletic success. I was very frustrated as a teenager mainly because I though i deserved more than what I received. I was naive and angry with the entire coaching staff. I earlier stated I played junior varsity as a freshman but I stayed down the following year so I could play with my classmates. I believe this unselfish decision lead to the demise of my athletic career. I scored eleven touchdowns as a freshman playing against fifteen year olds as fourteen year old. I scored in every game except against Jesuit high school.

The following year as a sophomore on the junior varsity team, I had a down year statistically, but I still scored seven touchdowns. I was beginning to hit harder on the defensive side of the ball. A friend of mine, who was a very good athlete, got pulled up to play varsity football. Since I turned down the varsity, the coaches questioned my determination and dedication. They did not understand why I wanted to stay down another year and play with my class. I still get a little upset when I look back on my high school years concerning football. The next two years in football I only scored four touchdowns. A huge drop off in productivity. We had a whole new coaching staff and the good friend of mine played the same position as i did. Since he already knew the coaches from experience, he already had the upper hand. He had already proven his ability. I only played defensive back for the majority of my varsity years, but I had the chance to return punts and kickoffs. I always took pride in my ability to run faster than the rest of the other kids on the field. I seemed to run faster than what I was clocked in my fourty yard dash. I was clocked at 4.57 seconds during training camp. My ability as a leader was always the best part of my game. I was very communative on the field. I remember one game we were playing Johnson High School and I was yelling and cursing to motivate my teammates. My history teacher heard everything since he was sitting on the sideline next to our bench. when I came to school that following Monday, he told me to stay after class so he could talk to me in private. I was a little nervous because I thought he might of caught me cheating on a test or something but I was surprised to my dismay. He told me he hadn’t heard anybody be that involved in the game for years and he admired my efforts. I had never felt so happy. I almost cried, believe it or not, because I feel I put my heart and soul into the things I love and care about. I have always been a hard worker and I pride myself on my work ethic. I was amazed with his compliment. I always felt unappreciated throughout my high school years. I was the leader and the captain of my football team. I can never go to those years unless I write about the memories and recall specific games. I love to think about football but it also hurts as well. I have found other ways to occupy my mind and time. Working always helps distract my mind.

Right out of high school, I started working a lot so I could by a Nissan Maxima. I bought a 2002, black Maxima with eightenn inch chrome rims and tinted windows. This was my favorite car I ever owned. However, I wrecked it after only having it for a year. I then had to work extra hard to buy a new car. I began working for Pacific Gas and Electric where my father and brother currently work. I made a lot of money there but I wanted something more in my life. I wanted to push myself to limit and I felt that being reader was not getting me anywhere. When I reached the age of 22, I joined the Marine Corps.

I remember the day i told my father I wanted to be a Marine. He had never been so happy. He knew I wanted to make a difference in this world, and he knew I could be one the elite figures in this world. He even tried enlisting with me at the age of 49! My father loves patriotism, and since 9/11 had happened he knew why I wanted to go. I had never met so many people who had the same vision and goals as I did. All these Marines were ready to die for this country without hesitation. These men and woman were the least selfish people I have ever met in my life. I remember a fellow recruit fell while running a two mile run, and without hesitation, other recruits were there to help him run to the end of the course. It was like having eighty-two brothers. By joining the Marine Corps i learned how to be more confident within myself. My values are strong and I believe in helping others who cannot help themselves. It is my obligation to use my skills that I acquired in the Marine Corps to better the world around me. My experiences have lead me to find good jobs and is a good asset when trying to find a job. I am thankful for all the things i have experienced in my life. All the good and bad experiences have made me into the person I am today. I cannot wait to experience everything to come into my life next. I am prepared for anything I hope

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