Highly Valued Traits That Veterans Possess! Discipline Flexibility Teamwork Leadership Commitment

Ernest and his wife , Nolia reside in Murfreesboro and have two children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Career: Military: U.S. Army, 3 yrs. served as a Dental assistant, Medic and social psychiatric assistant was discharged, honorably and then, using the G.I. Bill went back to school and earned three College degrees, MA in Christian Education, Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry. He was later commissioned Navy LT., served in Navy 19 yrs. as Navy Chaplain.( 7th Afro American to obtain rank of NAVY CAPTAIN (06=full colonel) and first in state of Tennessee to obtain that rank.) Highlight of his career: while serving as Commanding Officer of The Marine Expeditionary Force Chaplain Service at Cherry Point Marine Corp Air Station, in North Carolina he, was tasked to conduct several funerals of Marines killed in combat and to counsel with grieving families to provide comfort. Following his tour at Cherry Point he was selected out of a competitive pool of thirty or more outstanding Naval Chaplains to lead the 6th Fleet Reserve Chaplain Command, Gaeta, Italy and after three very successful years there he was retired from the military after 22 years.

Civilian: Department of Veterans Affairs, he served as Staff Chaplain (GS-12) at the North Chicago, Veterans Administration Medical Center, 7rs. Served as Chief Chaplain (GM-13) for the Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Medical Center, Murfreesboro, TN first African American to hold position at this facility.

In his retirement, he is currently the State Chairman of the Veterans and Military Committee for the NAACP and is a free-lance jazz musician who plays for churches, festivals, groups (large or small) and the like. He is a life-time member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, NAACP, American Legion, Naval Reserves Association and Reserve Officers Association. Recent Awards include, Humanitarian Award, Outstanding Naval Chaplain Award, Unity Award, The NICE’s Global Award, Alpha Man’s “Hear My Heart Award” and many others.

Listening to jazz, playing and arranging music, ping-pong, collecting African artifacts and reading.