ISBN-10: 1986878406
ISBN-13: 978-1986878401
About the Book
Sergeant Glenn W. Powell’s MY LAST BAGGAGE CALL
is the story of a most unlikely young man who leaves his working-class
environment of Toledo, Ohio, to become a soldier. Seeking excitement and a way
to “make something of himself,” Glenn Powell’s journey exceeds his wildest
dreams—a journey that began in basic training in Fort Hood, Texas ends at 1600
Pennsylvania avenue—the most important address in the world. MY LAST BAGGAGE
CALL is about so much more than Glenn Powell’s military journey, but about
poignant memories of family, friendships, sacrifices, and love—central to his
story is Ronda Holloway, the beautiful young woman he falls in love with in
Manheim, Germany, and, who joins him on his life journey as wife, soulmate and
mother to their two sons. MY LAST BAGGAGE CALL offers readers a glimpse into
Sergeant Glenn Powell’s 30-year transformation from the much-beloved boy who
seeks more in life…to the man, who discovers it—in adventure, in friendships,
and in service to three American presidents. a service he delivered with pride,
unquestioned loyalty, distinction and in the end, great admiration.
Meet
Glenn
Sergeant First Class Glenn
W. Powell (Retired) is a native of Toledo,
Ohio. He enlisted into the United
States Army in 1982 and retired in 2002. During his military career, he served
as a heavy vehicle driver, a squad leader, and non-commissioned officer.
In September 1991, SFC
Powell joined the George HW Bush White House as a chauffeur, and in 1992, was
promoted to transportation coordinator for the white house Press Corps, serving
in the Clinton Administration.
In December 1995, he
assumed the duties of transportation supervisor for Air Force One.
In January 2001, during his
service under President George W. Bush, SFC Powell was transferred to the White
House Military Office, Customer Support and Organizational Development where he
served as deputy director.
SFC Powell retired with
distinction from the Military in 2002. He received numerous awards and
decorations throughout his service, including the Legion of Merit Metal,
Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the United
States Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters. He received U.S.
Service Ribbons for both domestic and overseas service.
Glenn and Ronda Holloway
Powell have been married for 25 years, and have three sons, Darius, Warren, and
Glenn, II. They reside in Virginia. For more information, or to contact Glenn
Powell regarding availability for speaking opportunities, please email him
at glennwpowell@aol.com.
Excerpt
A
Soldier’s Story
Shortly after I turned 18,
I enlisted in the army. Around that time, I learned that the young woman I’d
been dating was pregnant, so going into the army would be an opportunity to
provide for my child. The army sent me to Fort Dix in New Jersey for boot camp
training on April 22, 1982. It was the perfect enlistment site for me.
Because of the popular
television show, Dallas, I had in mind that I wanted to go to Fort Hood, Texas
and meet JR Ewing. Not only did I meet Larry Hagman, the actor who played JR,
but I also met the entire cast at one of the big Dallas malls. That was in the
80s when the networks spent money to have cast members show up to greet their
fans, and when fans could easily get a photo with the stars. Meeting JR had
been on my mental bucket list. Later I learned that “Klinger” from Mash and
Danny Thomas were both from Toledo, and so I added them to the list.
In 1983, I re-enlisted and
chose Hawaii as my next army stint. There for 18 months, I’m convinced that the
Hawaii move helped me look long and hard at myself and my future. In Hawaii, I
decided I needed to better myself. I enrolled at the Wahiawa Community School
for Adults and got my high school diploma. My mother was so disappointed when I
didn’t graduate from high school, so I did it as much for her as for myself.
My long transportation
management career began in Wahiawa. I was one of a large number of applicants
who applied for a temporary mission of driving for the Sergeant Major for the
division. He was the senior enlisted man at the post. I beat out the other
candidates for that position. Later, I drove for the one-star general at the
post. After that, I returned to my unit and worked as the battalion mail clerk
until he left in 1985. While there, I met friends and mentors who would help me
decide on my career journey. That same year, I was asked to re-enlist, and
First Sergeant Herbert Harris became a lifelong mentor and friend. Sergeant
Harris recommended that I choose Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia for my
re-enlistment. I remained at Fort Eustis from April 1985 until January 1988.
I became a squad leader,
and for the next six months, I managed a squad of truck drivers in and around
the base. After that, I was set on transportation becoming my specialty, but my
career trajectory changed some when I was appointed to head up NCO Training,
where I was responsible for the training of 270 soldiers.
Around this time, I met
First Sergeant Fletcher Walker. He was sent in to straighten out our company,
and he did just that. He would stand up at the top of the stairs with his hat
covering his eyes but looking down at us. Sergeant Walker was a ‘soldier among
soldiers,’ an airborne paratrooper, a Vietnam Veteran who had been shot three
times. There was no one more surprised when he chose me to run the training.
I knew he had high
expectations, and I was determined not to disappoint him. He was the kind of
leaders for whom soldiers would fight and die. He was a true hero who taught me
how to be a soldier and a man. He shared a lot about life with me. I imitated
him in many ways so much that everyone would call me “Baby Walker.” I met his
family and it was an honor. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major.
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