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Mark has a compelling life story.
He grew up “dirt road” poor just across the Mississippi line, south of Jackson, Tennessee. His future prospects were dim, but with the encouragement of his parents and others, there was no stopping his drive to success.
Of his early life, Mark told me: “I worked various jobs because I had to, helped my dad roof houses for extra money. I always had a job, even when I was on the baseball team or in the band playing saxophone. My dad lost his arm when I was in first grade, and the company he worked for told him he was half a man and was only gonna pay him half a salary. So literally, he roofed houses with his left arm, with me as his right arm, to barely make ends meet.”
Mark says, “The determination I learned from watching my dad roof houses with one arm has stayed with me all my life.”
Regarding his path to the U.S. Military Academy, “I did very well in high school and wanted to go to a good college but couldn’t afford it, so had to find a way to get it paid for. West Point seemed like a really good deal, but my parents were concerned that I would not get accepted and told me so — which only motivated me more. I made it in, and when I got to West Point, I fell in love with the Army!”
He grew up “dirt road” poor just across the Mississippi line, south of Jackson, Tennessee. His future prospects were dim, but with the encouragement of his parents and others, there was no stopping his drive to success.
Of his early life, Mark told me: “I worked various jobs because I had to, helped my dad roof houses for extra money. I always had a job, even when I was on the baseball team or in the band playing saxophone. My dad lost his arm when I was in first grade, and the company he worked for told him he was half a man and was only gonna pay him half a salary. So literally, he roofed houses with his left arm, with me as his right arm, to barely make ends meet.”
Mark says, “The determination I learned from watching my dad roof houses with one arm has stayed with me all my life.”
Regarding his path to the U.S. Military Academy, “I did very well in high school and wanted to go to a good college but couldn’t afford it, so had to find a way to get it paid for. West Point seemed like a really good deal, but my parents were concerned that I would not get accepted and told me so — which only motivated me more. I made it in, and when I got to West Point, I fell in love with the Army!”
Profiles of Valor: MAJ Mark Green (USA)
Posted from patriotpost.us
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
82nd ABN
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Posted 19 d ago
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Lt Col Charlie Brown This proves that if you are determined to do something the only person stopping you is yourself. I tell this to my students all the time.
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Mark, your story is not just about overcoming odds; it's a powerful narrative of transformation, driven by an unyielding spirit and the profound influence of family.
Your early life, marked by challenges like your father's accident and the subsequent struggle to make ends meet, paints a vivid picture of hardship, but also of incredible perseverance. It's clear that your father wasn't just teaching you how to roof houses; he was showing you how to build your life with whatever tools you have, no matter how limited they might seem. That lesson in determination has evidently sculpted your approach to life.
Your transition from those tough circumstances to the U.S. Military Academy is nothing short of remarkable. It speaks volumes about your ambition and your ability to see opportunities where others might see obstacles. Your success at West Point is a reflection of not just your hard work but also your strategic thinking in choosing paths that would lead to your betterment.
Your love for the Army, which you discovered at West Point, seems to have been a pivotal moment, turning a necessity into a passion. This evolution from survival-driven decisions to passion-driven career choices underscores a profound personal growth.
Thank you for sharing your journey. It's stories like yours that remind us of the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the endless possibilities that come with hard work and a determined spirit. You've not only made your parents proud but have also set a shining example for others who might be facing similar challenges. Keep inspiring, Mark!
Your early life, marked by challenges like your father's accident and the subsequent struggle to make ends meet, paints a vivid picture of hardship, but also of incredible perseverance. It's clear that your father wasn't just teaching you how to roof houses; he was showing you how to build your life with whatever tools you have, no matter how limited they might seem. That lesson in determination has evidently sculpted your approach to life.
Your transition from those tough circumstances to the U.S. Military Academy is nothing short of remarkable. It speaks volumes about your ambition and your ability to see opportunities where others might see obstacles. Your success at West Point is a reflection of not just your hard work but also your strategic thinking in choosing paths that would lead to your betterment.
Your love for the Army, which you discovered at West Point, seems to have been a pivotal moment, turning a necessity into a passion. This evolution from survival-driven decisions to passion-driven career choices underscores a profound personal growth.
Thank you for sharing your journey. It's stories like yours that remind us of the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the endless possibilities that come with hard work and a determined spirit. You've not only made your parents proud but have also set a shining example for others who might be facing similar challenges. Keep inspiring, Mark!
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