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Eddie Thompkins III
In 1975 when Eddie was 14, the Thompkins family moved to Bellwood, Illinois (School District 209). In early December 1976, Proviso Township High School District 209 was given until Christmas to com...view moreIn 1975 when Eddie was 14, the Thompkins family moved to Bellwood, Illinois (School District 209). In early December 1976, Proviso Township High School District 209 was given until Christmas to come up with a desegregation program, in compliance with Illinois Office of Education (I0E) requirements. The State Board of Education directed District 209 to implement a plan to achieve racial balance (minimum of 15% minority population) within 2-3 years. If the school board resisted, the district would have been placed on probation and eventually would have lost its status as an accredited school district. According to a New York Times article, some felt the realignment threatened the homogeneity of the school environment.
It was this time period 1975-1979 that shaped and influenced the way Eddie viewed life. During the sometimes tumultuous challenges he (and others) faced as a minority student at Proviso West, there was always a greater good that prevailed. This greater good manifested itself through his significant friendships with teammates, classmates and faculty staff , irrespective of race. Although some racial hesitance was experienced on both sides, athletics was a way for all to come together for a one common cause…to win. Organized sports required teammates to work together and along the way, preconceived ideations eventually gave way to personal experiences. This experience was echoed throughout his US Marine Corps career, one team, one fight.
After retiring from the US Marine Corps, Eddie relocated to the United Kingdom where he lives with his wife Karen. In 2006, SSgt Eddie Thompkins IV (son) accepted orders on behalf of the US Air Force to the United Kingdom. Father and son are neighbors, living on the same English estate in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.view less