The Forgotten Soldier: Volume One: The Beginning

By James M. Bennett

The Forgotten Soldier is a true life story of a young male adolescent who struggles through life and overcomes many challenges and difficulties to become a successful military officer. The story is an epic adventure of a Black male who grew up in the ghetto and still found a way to make a positive impact inside his home, the community, and the United States Army. This phenomenal endeavor highlights the harsh lifestyle of guns, violence, deception, happiness, and success. The journey begins in the Deep South of Winnsboro, Louisiana, and ventures through multiple countries around the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662437519

Book preview

The Beginning

It was a warm summer day in Joliet, Illinois. A group of young boys, all around my age, would always hook up and walk back and forth from home and school together.

I was seven years old and in the second grade at that time.

Everything appeared to be normal until a couple of friends noticed that there was one kid walking with us that obviously stood out. The kid’s name was Michael Williamson. Michael’s clothes were always filthy, and he always had snot running from his nose. I couldn’t remember a day throughout the school year that Michael ever came to school with a clean face and decent clothes. Michael was well-known at the school because of the nickname the kids gave him—Buggar-son Williamson.

Everyone always teased Michael because of his snotty nose and dirty clothes. My friends started teasing Michael and calling him cruel names. Instead of stopping my friends like I should have, I joined in and started teasing Michael also. I yelled out to Michael, Hey, snotty nose!

Michael then shouted to me, Your mama!

An instant anger then overcame my mind. I didn’t notice that all the other kids had stopped walking, turned around, and formed a circle around Michael. I furiously approached Michael with my fists balled up and said, What did you say?

Michael then yelled loudly, Yo mama!

I immediately punched Michael in his mouth so hard that when he fell to the ground, I noticed I had busted his lip.

I felt like Muhammad Ali when he knocked out Sonny Liston.

Blood went everywhere as Michael started crying. I punched him a few more times while he