Posted on 11/29/2004 9:47:23 AM PST by presidio9
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Retired basketball great Michael Jordan's older brother James stands just 5-feet-7 but he's standing tall for America. Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Jordan has asked to stay in the Army for a year beyond his mandatory retirement date so he can complete a full year-long deployment to Iraq with about 500 other members of the 35th Signal Brigade.
"We are currently at war," Jordan said yesterday before his unit started shipping out. "We are doing things, and it requires leaders to do certain things. That's what I am, a leader."
Under normal conditions, the 47-year-old Jordan would wind down his Army career in the spring as he approached the 30-year mark, but he has no intention of getting on an airplane April 29 and coming home.
"That's not the way you want to end a 30-year career," Jordan told The Fayetteville Observer.
"People ask, 'Why?'" said Col. Bryan Ellis, the brigade commander. "The answer is, he is completely selfless. We all want to see it go well."
Jordan is a no-nonsense noncommissioned officer with a shaved head and a wry sense of humor. He stands nearly a foot shorter than his younger brother, who is 6-feet-6. As the senior enlisted soldier in the brigade of 2,450 soldiers, he has kept a low profile at Fort Bragg and avoided calling attention to his family connection.
"If you don't believe in selfless service, you are not going to make it in this business," said Jordan, the oldest person in the brigade.
He was 36, wearing the stripes of a first sergeant, when he went to airborne school, where most soldiers are in their teens or early 20s. He still runs 8 miles in physical training and expects soldiers to match his strides.
Jordan said his wife and children are not happy that he wants to stay on, but they support him. "They are on the team," the proud father said. "They say: 'Daddy, do what you've got to do.'"
He explained his decision to stay this way: "I've been doing this by myself for so long, being my own person, being my own soldier. I'm going to continue doing it the same way until the day I feel like I need to hang it up, not when they feel like I need to hang it up."
This is incredibly inspiring stuff. This man should be a role model for us all, let alone African-Americans.
Thanks for your service Mr. Jordan.
James is a hero, Michael is just an athlete who plays games for big bucks.
NC Ping?
You saw a black man? I just saw an American, CSM Jordan (not Mr.).
I just checked the picture again and yes, Mr. Jordan appears to be a black man. LOL!
And if he were white would you added that to your comment or just let it go that he's an inspiration? Maybe it seems small but it speaks to the divide on our side.
I really couldn't be bothered with nitpicking about stuff like this, but IMHO Blacks need better role models than rappers and Jesse Jackson.
I believe there's a valid point here. Usually, when you see a picture of a black man on the front page of the paper or leading the news he's either a criminal or a poverty pimp, or someone debasing national culture for personal enrichment. Here's a guy who could live better than me or (I suspect) you off of being his brother's attendant; instead, he risks his life for all of us, for one hell of a lot less money.
Thanks for the ping. Great article.
God bless Sgt. Major Jordan. Too bad the media won't cover this story of bravery and principle. I guess the media don't consider serving one's country more important than sticking your tongue out when you dunk.
That's 4.0, CSM Jordan.
James is a hero, Michael just dribbled a ball.
James is a hero, Michael just dribbled a ball.
(Dang--my first double post...sorry)
And from now on, when I think of what an American family should be, the Jordan family will be in the top of my list.
The exceptions test (the original meaning of the word "prove") the rule. Balance these two against the hundreds of others that fit the categories I raised in my last post.
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