I had the honor of serving with this great man twice, once in Germany and again at Fort Sill, Oklahoma when I served as a Drill Sergeant. I saw up close his career as a Staff Sergeant and later as my First Sergeant. I was a troubled individual in Germany as a Specialist Four. Sergeant Blackwell saw something in me and took me under his wings and did far more than show me how to be a good soldier but how to be a good man. I went on to complete 11 years of active duty, reaching SFC myself, and five years in the Reserves including during Desert Storm. I then finished college and Seminary and served as a Senior Pastor for 35 years until my retirement last year. I cannot ever thank him enough for his love and care for me.