Posted by 1Lt. Daniel H. Wright Florida Army National Guard Retired on July 5, 2012:

I met George in Hillsborough High School in my JROTC Class Tampa Fl in 1976. We always used our last names - military thing. George was always ahead of the class. When he was in Jefferson Jr. High they allowed George to start JROTC a year early. So even through we were all in the 10th Grade he was my upper classman. I started in his shadow and stayed there. What I found out is when you are in the shadow of your hero it is more like shinning in his glory. George and I shared a lot of time in high school. He always had a smile; he always polite and he always took time for others when they needed a hand. He was assigned cadet S-1 and I was his assistant. I learned so much from the poor black kid that grew up in one of the roughest areas in Tampa. He had a single Mom with younger brother and sisters to help care for. I look back now and see he never had the pressure in his eyes that where he came from mattered. It was always pressure where he was going or whom he was helping. George was a young man who smiled a lot, was always clean, neat and sharp. He was everyone's friend, kind, funny, happy, his personality pulled you into him. It was a landslide when he ran for student body president. I learned form this kid what a true friend was. He was an almost perfect example - never late or rude and never looking down on anyone. George meant a lot to me. I have always missed him. You see he was my best friend. I know I will see him in the sky on that great day. Till then to all those who George touched God bless you also. To his son, I am here if you need anything. Dan Wright at siberhouse777@yahoo.com 727-546-2395

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