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Not Meant to Be

"One man's true life story"By Paul M Umbaugh III

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Paul M Umbaugh III
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4389-6326-6

Chapter One

Not Meant to be ...

This is a true story about a man who has always tried to do what is right, but somehow, bad luck or misfortune, always seems to find him just when things seem to be going good for him.

We will start off from what he can remember from an early age up to adulthood. A lot of this will also come from what was relayed to him by family, friends, and hospital records, as the last part of his adulthood; he suffered through a very unfortunate medical mishap and has short-term memory problems as a result.

He was born in the State of New Jersey. He appeared to be a very healthy baby boy, however, unbeknownst to his family and doctors at the time, his urethra tubes were too big, as well as his "manhood". His urethra tubes were knotted up as a result, which caused urine to back up in his kidneys. This was slowly killing his kidneys, a condition called hydroneprosis. This was not caught until he was four years old.

At the age of four, he underwent his first major surgery. The doctors had to go in and try to untangle the tubes leading into the bladder from the kidneys. This was a very extensive surgery and the doctors advised this little boys parents that he only had a 50-50 chance of surviving the surgery, however, without the surgery, their little boy would die of kidney failure once they shut down. By the grace of our Lord, he made it through the surgery.

During the next few years, this little boy continued to get sick, especially during the winter months. The doctors advised his parents that they should move to a warmer climate. His parents agreed on moving to Florida. This little boy's doctor in New Jersey located a specialist in Clearwater, Florida. His family (mom, dad, four sisters and him), all moved to Florida in January of 1969. They settled in New Port Richey.

After moving to Florida, the little boy's parents made contact with the specialist in Clearwater who wanted to the little boy to come on down and seek treatment. After making contact with this doctor, the little boy was admitted to a hospital for further tests. He spent a couple of months in the hospital undergoing a series of tests and procedures, it was determined that this little boy needed to undergo yet another major surgery. It was determined that the first doctors in New Jersey messed up making things even worse for this little boy.

The boys parents were advised that he desperately needed the surgery. They were advised that their little boy only had a 25% chance of surviving the surgery, but without it, he would not survive. The doctors were not able to say how long he could live without the surgery. The little boy's parents decided that 25% was better than no chance at all.

This little boy had the surgery, and by the grace of our Lord once again, he made it through. His parents were told that one kidney was only working at 1/2 capacity and the other was not fully functional either. They were told that their little boy should not participate in contact sports and should avoid the cold weather. This did not set too well with the little boy's father, as he was the only son that this man had.

This was the beginning of what had already been a hard life for this little boy to start getting harder. The little boy's father had been somewhat of an athlete, boxing in the US Navy and playing baseball, and he wanted his son to do the same. Since he (the boys father) now had a son who was suppose to avoid this type of activity, it was about to be the beginning of a physical and emotional battle for this young boy.

The little boy recovered from the surgery and started working at the age of 9 in his grandfather's grocery store. He learned how to receive grocery orders, stock shelves, run the cash register, etc....

The little boy also began to do yard work (cutting grass, pulling weeds, etc..) for neighbors, as well as worked as a laborer for his father, carrying blocks, mixing cement, striking and floating walls, etc ..., to help earn money for his parents to help pay for medical bills, etc ...

The little boy remembers that starting from about the age of 9 until he was about 17; he was continuously physically and emotionally abused by his father. His father wanted "boys", "big boys", not "sissy - 'little wimpy boys". His father would constantly come home from work in a bad mood and find some reason to punch, slap or backhand this little boy.

The little boy was constantly getting black eyes, chipped teeth, swollen face (busted lip), bruised about his body while being called a: wimp, wussy, momma boy, etc.... The little boy would dare not cry or the beating would not stop. He was always having to come up with excuses as to what happened to him to avoid further punishment.

The little boy continued to grow up playing street football, baseball, basketball (while he could), all while doing odd jobs to help support his family. He was a skinny little boy, but well defined and strong (due most likely to the abuse that he has suffered). He had a very strong will to survive and have children of his own someday, when he grew up, so that he could love and treat them as they should be treated, in a very loving manner and not like a punching bag or an animal, but like human beings.

At the age of 15, the boy obtained his first "real job" at a popular grocery store. He rapidly went from a bag-boy position to a stock-man and ended up running the scrub crew (cleaning floors, entire store, etc..). He was a very dependable and trustworthy person. He continued to work at the store throughout his high school days, paying his parents a portion of his earnings for the previous medical bills, room, board, etc....

Whenever he wasn't working, he would stay at the school and mess around with the football team (field punts, catch passes, etc...). His high school physical education coach, who was also the head football coach, wanted him to play football for the school team because of how talented he was. However, he was not allowed too, as he needed to work to pay his parents. This was his fathers doing.

This young man started college part time on his own. His last day of the 11th grade, was his first day of college. He took courses at college when he could afford too, while still working, attending high school, and doing volunteer work at the Tampa V.A. hospital. His grandparents and mother volunteered at the hospital also.

He ended up volunteering in the physical and occupational therapy units at the hospital. He was able to meet and help with the rehab of a lot of soldiers who were wounded in Viet Nam.

This young man graduated high school in 1979, just turning 18 the month previous. He continued working at the grocery store and volunteering at the V.A. hospital. He met what he thought was the love of his life while working at the grocery store with her in 1980.

His lifelong ambition was to be a police officer. He went to the house of the then sheriff, and introduced himself and asked if he could get him to sponsor him for the police academy. He obtained sponsorship from the sheriff and attended the police academy while still continuing to work full time.

One night, when he was 18, the young man came home what his father thought was a little late (10pm), and his father went to punch him in the face. This little boy, who was now grown up, finally had enough, although he had respect for his father, stopped the punch by grabbing him fathers fist before it crash landed into his face. The boy then grabbed his father by the shirt collar and lifted him off of the ground and said: "that's enough, if you ever hit me again or try to hit me, I'll snap your neck". The boy's father never tried to strike him again and apologized for the years of abuse.

After graduating from the police academy at 19 years old, he was too young to start police work as a "road deputy", per the sheriff at the time. He decided to enter into the U.S. Army at that time.

He got married to what he thought was the love of his life in March of 1981 (3-27-81) and entered into basic training in April of 1981 (4-8-81), yes - only 1 1/2 weeks after getting married (that was really tough).

While attending basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he was recruited by a soldier from Ft. Myers military base in Arlington, Virginia. This soldier asked him if he wanted to go to Washington, DC. He was told by this recruiter that based upon the ASVAB scores that he took, he was qualified to go to DC. The recruiter also told him that if he went to DC, that he could try out for the Presidential SWAT team. This really sounded like a dream come true to this young man, he had always wanted to be in law enforcement, and now, he had a chance to not only get into that, but in DC, and for the President. He thought to himself, "If I go to DC and get on the Presidential SWAT team, I can work at any law enforcement agency anywhere". He signed a waiver from where he was supposed to be going to head to DC.

At the time, his wife was his inspiration for him to do well while he was in basic training. He constantly thought of her and how very much he loved her and how much he wanted to impress her. He took tops in everything that he did while in basic training and graduated as the "Distinguished Honor Graduate". He and his lovely wife moved to Arlington, Va. after he graduated and he was to begin his duty in Washington, DC.

He went to the base at Ft. Myers in Arlington, Va. and reported in. He learned that as far as the military was concerned, that there was no Presidential SWAT team, it is part of the secret service.

Now, it should be noted that Ft. Myers is called the "Old Guard" of the U.S. Army. They are listed as the official escort to the President. At the time, the "Old Guard" consisted of seven different companies, only Echo Company was called "Honor Guard" and wore the Honor Guard tab on their left shoulder. They were the only company to wear this distinguished tab.

This young man, who had just turned 20 years old, had put on 25 lbs of hard muscle while in basic training and now stood at 6'2", and was 180 lbs. Because of his good looks and professional appearance, he was assigned to the "Honor Guard" company.

He was first assigned to the 1st platoon, which was the marching platoon, but after only one week, he was determined to have the strength to be in the 2nd platoon, which was the casket platoon. The casket platoon consisted of three squads, the First squad was called and considered the "God Squad", no-one was allowed to talk to them unless they talked to you first. Everyone would have to snap to the "parade rest" position if one of the members of the first squad walked by. One needed to be in the casket platoon for at the very least, two years and be a "top notch" soldier, to even be considered for the "first squad".

This young man was at first assigned to the third squad and was "loaned" out to do a month detail at the: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington Cemetery. He walked the 7pm to 7am shift with two other soldiers. This was a very prestige Honor. Washington DC is such a beautiful site as it is with the White House, US Capitol, National Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, etc ... but oh my gosh, at night time, from the Tomb, over looking the Potomac and all the sites is absolutely breathtaking. Such and Honor and privilege it was and still is to this day.

This young man was "loaned" out once again after the Tomb detail to be a personal driver for a General at the Pentagon. Wow - can you imagine the excitement? He actually reported to the General at the Pentagon. He drove the General around, ran errands to the White House and State Department and was in the War room at the Pentagon on numerous occasions. Again, what an Honor.

After just two months, this young man already had the experience that some people only dream about. He was now back to the casket platoon and having a really great time. He obtained his Top Secret White House clearance within 6 months (this also usually took at least a year). The Top Secret White House clearance allowed you to perform in ceremonies at the White House and to be around the President and dignitaries. He continued to excel in everything that he did and started playing football for his company also.

Within the 1st year, this young man went straight to the "First Squad". The First squad consisted of the "best of the best". The "First Presidential Casket Team" consisted of 8 members of the first squad. There were 10 members in the first squad. This bright, handsome, young man was now a member of the "First Presidential Casket Team", all within one year of joining the Army. He continued to excel once again, and maxed each and every PT test that he was giving. He continued to play football also and was an immediate impact on his team.

It should be noted that this young man was now 210 lbs of rock solid muscle; he was an avid weight lifter as well as a personal trainer for several of his friends. He wanted to be sure that he not only was a leader but looked like one also.

Within 2 years, he became the squad and team leader of the First squad and the "First Presidential Casket Team". He was advanced to the rank of Corporal until he could take the Sergeants exam since he was in charge of other Sergeants.

As a Corporal, he took his casket team to the casket competition and took first place. He is the only one in the history of the Old Guard to take his team to competition and place 1st each and every single time.

The casket competition in held to be sure that only the "very best" of the "best" would be the ones to carry the casket of either the President or some national dignitary, should the occasion arise.

The First Casket Team Leader was also in charge of all Joint Service Casket Teams. The Joint Services would usually practice at least twice a year (more if a senator or congressman became gravely ill). The Joint Service Casket Team consisted of: 2 - Army, 2 - Marine, 2 - Navy, 1 - Coast Guard, and 1 - Air Force personnel.

This young man led his team and squad to victory in any and all competitions that they went too. In the "Old Guard", besides casket competitions, there were competition for field duties, physical fitness, navigational skills, professionalism, appearance, and team work.

This young man went to the oral board for the Sergeant's exam as soon as he was eligible and passed with ease. He was promoted to Sergeant after only two years in the Military, and was working in a Sergeant's capacity for almost a year already. Such an amazing feat.

This young man also worked special duties with the Secret Service and Delta Force of the Green Berets in missions that he is unable to discuss.

He played football all four years while stationed in Washington, DC and boxed one year, amassing a 5-0 record. He was given the name of "Hammer" by all of his colleagues. He won several trophies for his skills and definitely lived up to the name of hammer.

During the threatened NFL strike in 1984, he played with the Washington Redskins at his base and wanted to play for them after the strike ended and he ended his tour of duty in Jan of 1985. He was playing as a tight end at the time along with Don Warren who was really worried about losing his starting job. (He knows this as he ran into Don several years later at the orthopedic practice that he worked at and Don told him that).

He and his wife and children however, moved back to Florida after President Reagan's 2nd Inauguration, which was the last job that he performed in the military. It was so cold that day in Jan (1-21-85), that they cancelled all of the outdoor festivities (parade, etc ...) that normally occur after the President is sworn in.

Only this young man and one other person from his unit were the ones to work that very cold day. He opened the door to the Limo for President Reagan, 1st lady Nancy Reagan, and the speaker of the house when they arrived at the US Capitol for the swearing in ceremony and opened the doors once again after the ceremony was over. The outside temperature that day was about 6 degrees with a wind chill of about 10 - 20 below. But, what an Honor that was once again. Such a privilege that so many could only dream about.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Not Meant to Beby Paul M Umbaugh III Copyright © 2009 by Paul M Umbaugh III. Excerpted by permission.
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