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My dad always had huge respect for the British Army. He always thought it was one of the best. And I think it changed his life - those seven years in that Army.

The Army's always had a special place in my heart.

I proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War as an artillery operations specialist in the all-black 503rd Field Artillery Battalion in the Second Infantry Division.

I remember the first time I put on the Army uniform. I just felt like a totally different person - I felt proud.

My parents were very pleased that I was in the army. The fact that I hated it somehow pleased them even more.

I was commanding officer of a supersonic fighter squadron, F-8 Crusaders.

In 1967, I signed up for the Army, where I earned an equivalency diploma, then went on to join the Special Forces. That was really was the turning point in my life. I became more disciplined and focused. I went overseas and was in combat, got wounded a couple of times, lost a lot of good friends but matured a great deal.

When I joined Custer I donned the uniform of a soldier. It was a bit awkward at first but I soon got to be perfectly at home in men's clothes.

I had the first integrated Army band in World War II.

I joined the 800th MP Brigade when they were already deployed.