Honorable Mention, Ages 12-15
MORGAN BRADFORD, Kansas

Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year: RODERICK BRADFORD

I strongly feel that my grandfather should be named "Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year". He successfully fulfills both positions and never gives up. I can't think of a more qualified and deserving person for this award.

My grandfather, Roderick Bradford, is a salesman who sells health and life insurance. He sells many differing brands since every client of his has different needs. He pairs them with the best kind of insurance according to their needs. Now there are risks that he's taking by being an entrepreneur since he is working individually, but he says he has full confidence in himself to overcome any problems he is faced with.

My grandfather also served in the Marines from November 1961 to May 1967. He never actually participated in a war, but worked just as hard in case he had to. He devoted himself to the Marines and definitely earned his place.

First, to get to the Marines, he had to have a physical exam, then sworn into service, and finally go to "Boot Camp" for thirteen weeks. There he acquired marching skills, knowledge on how to shoot a rifle, skills on how to be a marine including how to fulfill orders that those with a higher rank assign to you, and endured physical exercise. After being in "Boot Camp", he went to school for one year to train for the position of a radar/radio repairman.

After serving in the Marines, my grandfather has found the saying "Once a Marine, always a Marine" very true. He told me that he wouldn't be the responsible man he is today without the training he acquired. He has also found that his training, in the long run, has helped him raise a family, plus help him be the best husband and father that he could be.

My grandpa has definitely succeeded in raising a family in that he raised six kids. Besides raising a family, he has also found how strong he can be when faced with difficult situations. He knows that there is always going to be someone depending on you to do your job and to be the best citizen you can be. He says he owes his country, which is why he is going to be the best possible citizen. I'm sure he learned this through his time in the service, along with a lot of other things in his every day life.

My grandpa is a very hard working entrepreneur and deserves something in return. That is why I think he deserves the "Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year" award for 2007.

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