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    Turning pages: A chaplain’s story

    Turning pages: A chaplain’s story

    Photo By Master Sgt. Evelyn Chavez | U.S. Air Force chaplain (Lt. Col.) Donnette Boyd, 31st Fighter Wing chaplain Boyd,...... read more read more

    AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy - The drug dealer stands in the corner waiting to be relieved by another “bagman." When he leaves, another one comes; that corner is always occupied. From childhood through her teenage years, she witnessed the routine from her bedroom window.

    If a young Donnette Boyd wanted, she could easily get her hands on drugs, join a gang or contribute to the constant violence of the city. It would take strong will and character in the fight to prevail against this “hood’s” challenges.

    Chapter one: The voyage begins
    With open arms a drug-riddled neighborhood in the nation’s ninth-ranked most violent city, Cleveland, Ohio, welcomed her, her brother and mother from Jamaica. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Boyd’s, 31st Fighter Wing chaplain, journey would solidify her strong-willed character. Living in America was a dream come true for her mother and Boyd was thankful to be in a country with many opportunities. An unmistakable sense of what she didn’t want for her future contributed to her fervent desire to overcome the hurdles of her new home, America. One thing Boyd didn’t expect was how her heart and faith would lead her to her present.

    “[Tough childhood decisions] helped me survive in the hood,” said Boyd. “When I put my mind to something I know is right, I will die for it. I feel that getting a good education and staying off drugs is the right thing. Making that decision as a child caused me great difficulty in that neighborhood, and they ostracized me for it.”

    At a young age, Boyd realized the importance of resilience and hard work. Boyd’s mother routinely worked 12 to 16 hour shifts. Sometimes Boyd wouldn’t see her mother for weeks on end.

    “My mother always told me that I should better my life and continue with my education so that I wouldn’t end up working in a factory like her,” said Boyd. “She never got past the eighth grade. I felt that dedicating myself to bettering my life was worth it. I didn’t want my mom to feel that getting us into this country and her hard work had gone to waste.”

    Boyd’s resilience in the midst of the neighborhood’s rough environment wasn’t always easy. Despite her commitment to succeed in life, she encountered moments of weakness that taught her important life lessons.

    “One day I thought about giving up,” said Boyd. “The day I asked the school dealer for marijuana is a day I will never forget. The dealer was excited. I gave in. By the afternoon everyone in school knew I was looking [for drugs]. That particular day, the dealer was out and school was clean. There was no marijuana I could get my hands on. That moment of weakness keeps me humble. The situation allowed me to realize that everyone, no matter how strong they are, has moments of weakness and can make bad choices.”

    From that moment on, Boyd realized both how tenuous and how important personal fortitude is. She graduated high school, receiving the education her mother had hoped for, and left Cleveland for Kent State University in 1983. From there she would take the next step in her journey with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

    Chapter two: Finding the path

    Throughout college, Boyd continued to work toward her educational goals. She graduated from KSU in four years during a time when only one in 10 African-American students did so. A deep-rooted desire to repay the country that had given her so much came to fruition when she commissioned as a line officer in the Air Force in 1987.

    As a young officer, she faced personal challenges that clarified and molded her professional calling and the person she is today.

    “My belief was never as strong as it is now,” said Boyd. “I always knew there was a God, but I never channeled that belief into any particular faith group. I believed in Christianity. When I was younger, I stumbled across people who claimed to be Christians. The actions I witnessed caused me to judge an entire faith by a few people.”

    Her transformation and discovery began by reading the Bible. The true change occurred when she became a Christian. Boyd knew this path was her calling and made the decision to follow her new faith.

    “I was struggling with some details of my life but I knew if I left this [newfound] path, it would eventually lead to my destruction,” said Boyd.

    Boyd began ministering and helping at a church while stationed in Germany. As her passion for ministry continued to grow, she began praying for guidance on whether to make it a full-time career or remain in the Air Force on active duty in her current specialty.

    “I loved being in the military, but wanted to minister full time,” said Boyd. “My husband was the one who asked me about becoming a chaplain. It had never crossed my mind. He made sense; he told me I was already doing everything a chaplain does, so why not.”

    The decision was made. Boyd resigned her commission and separated from the Air Force in order to complete seminary. When she took this leap of faith, Boyd was pregnant and had a young child. The change would also mean her husband would have to leave two jobs.

    After completing seminary, Boyd was one of six applicants selected for commissioning as an Air Force chaplain on her selection board. The highly competitive 15 percent selection rate made her sure it was meant to be.

    Chapter three: The mission to serve

    “Helping Airmen is the reason I am here,” said Boyd. “Regardless of what rank I achieve, I’m here to help Airmen and their families. I’m serving God by helping Airmen.”

    Serving her country for 25 years, Boyd’s desire for excellence is evident in her commitment to the military community.

    Boyd is one of 470 Air Force chaplains. According to the Air Force Personnel Center, 33 are female and only 2.7 percent of those are African-American. Among that percentage is Boyd, who in the next few months will make history as the first female African-American chaplain promoted to the rank of colonel.

    “I want to practice what I preach,” said Boyd. “I want to do things right as an O-6 chaplain. With rank comes responsibility to speak for our Airmen.”

    According to Boyd, she didn’t get here alone. Her strength of character and life experiences have helped lay the path for serving others.

    “My mother, husband and mentors have all helped me along the way,” added Boyd. “Having a positive and thankful attitude also makes life so much better.”

    Boyd said her heart has always bled blue. All the Airmen she has served have a special place in her heart.

    “My life has been everything I could have envisioned and so much more,” said Boyd. “I was called to do what I love. I still believe I am making a difference and I will continue until I no longer can.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.07.2016
    Date Posted: 03.07.2016 07:55
    Story ID: 191377
    Location: IT
    Hometown: CLEVELAND, OH, US

    Web Views: 593
    Downloads: 0

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