Photo By Sgt. Dwight Henderson | Gunnery Sgt. Baron Rice, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Sub...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. — You might see him riding his tricycle to work, with a small Marine Corps flag flying from the back, or you might see him bagging your groceries or pushing the carts at Kroger. If you went into his home, you would see an entire room dedicated to the Marine Corps complete with a sword and flag.
The Marines presented Lee with a bag of gear, including a hat, shirt and water bottle. They informed him of their efforts to make him an honorary Marine and praised him for the strength, poise and self-confidence he has shown throughout his life.
“At the end of recruit training, all Marines go through the crucible, which is a test to see if you’re ready to be a Marine,” said Gunnery Sgt. Baron Rice, the staff non-commissioned officer in-charge of Recruiting Sub Station Raleigh, while speaking to Lee and the gathered crowd. “At the end, the recruits stand near the Iwo Jima Memorial where they are presented their eagle, globe and anchor to signify that they are now a Marine.”
Rice then presented Lee with his own eagle, globe and anchor. Rice told Lee to never give up and to continue to drive through obstacles as he has.
Lee faced obstacles such as the rappel tower as a cadet with the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at East Surry High School in Pilot Mountain, N.C.
When Lee was finishing high school, the school wanted to give him a certificate of completion, but Lee wanted his diploma. Because of the Cerebral Palsy, Lee cannot write, so the school had to send for an educator from Raleigh to give Lee an oral exam. Lee passed the exam and was able to graduate with his class.
“He has a drive like most people have never seen,” said Linda Bondurant, Lee’s mother. “Most people would have sat down and quit years ago, but not Lee. He has a Marine’s drive, there’s no doubt about it.”
After graduating high school, Lee went straight to work for Food Lion, where he worked for eight years. After those eight years, he cashed in his stocks and purchased his own house, where he still lives today. He now works for Kroger, where he has worked for twenty years.
Lee’s family says he has never taken government assistance and is completely independent. He rides his tricycle or takes the bus to work every day; he works 40 hours a-week.
“He works very hard and he does what he has to do,” said Adrian. “If everybody lived the way he does, it’d probably be a better place.”
He is also involved in his church and has been on multiple missions to help low-income families.
“It meant a lot to them, to have us there,” said Lee. “They really appreciated it.”
His drive and positive attitude have been an inspiration to his friends and family. Darryl Williams, a six-year friend of Lee’s, says that’s what drove him to Lee in the first place.
“I can’t put it into words, what Lee means to me as a friend,” said Darryl. “He’s just a tremendous man who lights up a room. He’s an inspiration, never complains and is a great man. I could go on for days about him.”
Lee says he doesn’t see himself as an inspiration. To him he’s just being who he is and doing what he can.
“Going through those trials and tribulations throughout his life is what being a Marine is all about,” said Rice. “I feel that he’s done his crucible.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2013 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 107306 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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