It was an honor and a pleasure to sit with these men

Three American Heroes I Interviewed Before They Passed Away

Some of the greatest men you may have never heard of before

In my story, The Long and Twisted Journey of How I Became A Published Writer, I describe the fun-filled journey I took in becoming a Navy Journalist. It was the life-long lessons I learned from being a pup-journalist to becoming a high ranking, Government Civilian 1035 Public Affairs Officer, and the incredible ride throughout the way to where I am today.

As I write this, hundreds of memories flood my mind and I could jot them down right now for future Medium stories, but at this moment, I want to focus on the picture above.

I interviewed Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, when he was the commanding general at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA. His wasn’t my very first article for Naval Aviation News Magazine, but it was one of the first. I relate the story of how I interviewed Lt. Cmdr. Beth E. Hubert in the above linked article. That was a pretty coincidental and incredible story by itself. But you may recall, I graduated from the Defense Information School in 1985. My first duty station was at the United States Naval Academy Naval Station, Annapolis, MD, from 1985–1987. Then, I received orders to S.E. Washington, DC at 9th and M Streets, home of Naval Aviation News Magazine. It was from there I was dispatched to Quantico.

There’s a scene in the movie Malcolm X where Denzel Washington, who plays the role of Malcolm X, was recently released from prison. He had converted to the religious faith of Islam and he was invited to meet the Honorable Elisha Mohammad. For me, this is one of the most powerful scenes in the movie. Malcolm, a leader of men, was practically crippled with humbleness as he bowed his head and bent his body in reverence of meeting the most high Nation of Islam leader.

I remember that scene so vividly because I felt the same type of reverence when I met Lt. Gen. Petersen. Before me stood a man who flew combat missions in North Korea and Vietnam during a time before the Civil Rights movement. What he must have endured to create the path for so many other African Americans to travel. He lead the way and influenced the lives of so many countless others. When black people say ‘they stood on the shoulders of others,’ Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen was one of those giants.

In 1996, I started my own, hard-copy publication, Singles Magazine.

My home base was in Chesapeake, VA, but I originally started the magazine in my barracks room. I garnered so much positive press, that I was interviewed on most local television and radio stations, and I conducted a multitude of events at night clubs and other establishments in the Hampton Roads area. But the most productive press I received was from the multiple newspaper articles that were written about me and my publication.

It was through my connections in the Hampton Roads area that I was invited to be the Master of Ceremonies in the 1998 Virginia Beach NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. The guest for that evening’s event included Bari-Ellen Roberts, the African American financial analyst that sued Texaco, one of the largest oil and natural gas companies in the United States. The company soon settled with the complainants for $176 million dollars; at that time, the highest settlement for a class action lawsuit in U.S history. Also on the panel of guest that evening was Ms. Nita Booth. Several local prominent political figures where there as well as Master Chief Carl Brashear.

I conducted a video interview with him and unfortunately, the tape was erased, but the memory of this incredible man lives on. I often tell my wife the circumstances of the videotape being recorded over. It’s quite humorous, yet heart breaking. I lost one of the most valuable pieces of memorabilia and history of my possessions.

But I won’t forget when I met the U.S. Army’s top acquisition executive, the Honorable Claude M. Bolton, Jr.

Each of these men were living legends when I interviewed them. That’s how they were brought to my attention. And each of them have influenced me in one way or another, even though our encounters were brief. My longest interview may have been an hour and the shortest, maybe 15 minutes, if that long. But it doesn’t take long for someone to make a lasting impression. We are talking about a one hour interview that was conducted 34 years ago, a 15 minute videotaped interview that was conducted 23 years ago and a one hour, sit down interview that was conducted 17 years ago. Yet today, I remember them as if they all took place yesterday.

That, my friend, is how you influence someone.

About the Author

Julius Evans has a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ; a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from City University, Bellevue, WA and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas. He is a 1985 graduate of the Defense Information School of Print and Electronic Journalism, and Advanced Public Affairs. DINFOS was relocated from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN, to its present home in Fort Meade, MD.

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