Melvin Pender's interview for the Veterans History Project at Atlanta History Center
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- čas přidán 31. 01. 2021
- We welcome your comments on this interview at VeteransHistoryProject@AtlantaHistoryCenter.com
Catalog number: VIS 201.0691
In this interview, Mel Pender recalls his service in the United States Army during and after the Vietnam War as well as his athletic accomplishments, including winning the gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay in the 1968 Summer Olympics. He describes growing up in Lynwood Park, a suburb of Atlanta. His father served in the United States Navy during World War II and his mother was a domestic worker. He remembers the work ethic he developed at a very young age and describes his reasons for joining the Marine reserves at age 15 and the Army at age 17. He remembers seeing segregated troop trains during World War II and describes the segregated schools he attended in Atlanta. He comments on the close-knit community in which he lived and the police brutality he saw there. His first duties in the Army were in construction but after he re-enlisted he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He describes his experiences in Vietnam, including being selected to compete for the Army in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and later the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He describes being hired as the first minority coach at the United States Military Academy and recalls how he earned his college degree. He recalls his post-military activities and community service, including "walking" the Olympic torch at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
His experience in America as a blackman, made him more emotional than his vietnam experience, which war is worst? Great interview
A great human being, soldier, athlete, American, and Hero! I remember growing up in the 60s when racial conflict was tough I could never understand it or accept it! I always had black friends I never saw color to be a problem. When I joined the Army, being from Boston all the guys called me Boston but was stereotyped because of racial tensions after the 2nd or 3rd week when everyone got to know me we all got tight!!! The problem today causing tensions is the government. This guy knows life and is a great mentor we need more people like him in the world. Thank you for your service and giving what you've accomplished you are a great credit to yourself, your community, your military service, this country, and this life. Thank you!!!!
A truly inspiring man...
Thank you Mel. You are a great American!
Great man Mel I'm a white man and I'm ashamed of my race sometimes and this is one of those times forgive me for the way you were treated in front of your mother I respect you MAN !!!!!!!
Please share this with as many young people as possible. Awesome. A true American hero
Thank you, thank you and thank you!
I am from Australia and ex veteran. I have listened to so many of these stories and thoroughly enjoy every one,but this story would have to be by far the most inspiring story i have ever heard. This man is a thorough gentleman in every area.Thankyou for your service
Amazing Human Being! Amazing American! He’s is the person we should all strive to be not only as human beings but as Americans.I 100% feel the same way he does about our Country.Say it loud and say it proud Melvin and I hope those that hear you “Listen”.So moved hearing your story,so happy I happen to come across it today. I’m going to share this with everyone I know.Thank you Melvin!
Perhaps the most moving and compelling story I've ever experienced. Well worth your time.
By the way SIR......You look FANTASTIC for your age !!........You are the definition of a good man........a good American !!
Mr. Ponder you are a true inspiration! Thank the Lord for the fine men that still grace us with their presence! Parents if need be force your teen age children to watch this! God bless you Melvin Ponder, a fine American and a true patriot!
Patriot, soldier, athlete, and most importantly a great Human being! Just an absolute joy watching this video and hearing his story. Going to order his book now.
God bless you
This is the very best interview I have seen in along time. God Bless this man and God Bless you all 2...
Great story and accomplishments. Thank You for your service. A Vietnam Veteran I Corp. 1967-1969
Your fighting spirit shines through. God bless you.
Fighting? His victim BS and free ride stood out for me.
Amazing!
Thank you for your service, Mr. Pender, you are a credit to our country and to the armed services!
Your story and character are exactly what we need to hear more of in these times. Your inspiring message of hope is good medicine for all to hear. Let it be heard loudly especially in our public schools today. This Navy Seabee salutes you brother!!
Again thanks for you testimony. I admire you. You are a good man.
Welcome Home, Thank you Sir, God bless you ALL 🙏
Great interview. Impressive interviewee.
What a great American? Thanks for your service. You are a great inspiration to all of us; you make this place better.
The personal strength and fortitude of this man is incredible. He was treated worse by his fellow countrymen than the enemy he fought.
Thank You Mr. Pender.......You SIR.......are the reason I am PROUD to call myself an American........God Bless.
I've seen hundreds of vietnam stories and this one tops them all
Thank You.
Awesome
This is one amazing man I wish everyone had his character
This is the best story I've heard. Mr. Pender you are a true American.
A great American Hero...I love him to talk to my young men amd women in Princess Anne Md
A man you wood like for a friend thank you!!
This is an incredible gentlman
God bless you Melvin.
What a GREAT ending.. WOW. Not to far fetched at all Mell ❤️
Thank you for training people how to lead/learn..You LISTEN!!
I love this guy..
Amazing Man why did they not write about what he did in history books and why aren’t they teaching about him and his life in schools?
Man God is good to him ! Almost 80 years old . Wow ! No way . He looks and sounds “GREAT “ ! He’s an inspiration !
Please contact me my Friend. Your Mother smiles from heaven because of the man you are. God Bless you. Stand Proud! Looking forward to herring from you
There are some great leaders in Atlanta and this is one of them.
that why atlanta is a shithole where more black men are killed every year than in vietnam?
He he ever writes a book. I'll definitely buy it
He won!!!!!!!
He is a real inspiration. God speed
This guy bettered his idol Audie Murphy
Thanks for speaking your mind.
One question. Did you ever become a helicopter pilot? So many moving topics, and that phase was left out.
He is a role model.
A true American patriot and hero
The best story of a man that is someone I would have loved to call my best friend i would follow him follow him before I would follow lots of white peoples Ok never forget this story I would love to know you even more. If our world was made of people like this how wonderful it would be
Respectfully. SFC Jim Holderfield D
My mother never said anything bad about the black folks. When their house burned down in Dalton she and her family lived with with a black family until the could get another house. They were friends
Somebody vet nam vets can be proud that they are
Thank you for your service Sir. However, a little less playing the constant victim would benefit you.
I cannot believe no captions
This guy bounced around so much it was hard to follow him
50.00 minute mark is fire
Melvin. It wasn't right the way the treated you. I remember riding on a bus with my mother in the early 69s asking her why the black folks had to rude in the back of the bus. She said. It ain't right but that's the way it is. She was raised in Dalton and live among the blacks. She was pore like they were.
Great story! And spot on about Obama. Best president in the last 30 years.
Clinton did more for this country than anybody in my opinion.He did his jobl Remember the deficit? Clinton reduced it to zero. First ever. How is he not the best?
@@richardlong8014 true, Clinton's accomplishments were numerous. But there was just a touch of sociopathy in the man (I voted for him). Obama had none of Clinton's moral defects. He was not a retail politician like Clinton. But he was cool, cerebral, and squeaky clean. Advantage Obama, in my book.
Partly correct
May God shed his light on you I'm a white ashamed man for how you were treated in front of your mother please forgive me for the way you've been treated as MAN and for all bigoted ignorant white people bless you my brother as as. A proud American keep the faith you will conquer
virtue signaling tautologies ~
He’s a Christian but doesn’t where it on his shirtsleeve. Unlike some that only use
the shield of Christ to further their political careers..Y’all know what I’m talk’en about?