This is so empowering to see this amazing version of his story! I had the great opportunity to meet Mel Pender in the late 80's at an athletic banquet. I broke bread with him and took pictures with him. My high school, very short-lived track career at Edisto High School in South Carolina brought me to many places. While I was set to be the next "Flo Jo", life set me out in other places. This, however, meeting Mel Pender, was one of my greatest, small career highlights that I will always remember. Thank you great sir for ALL that You have done.❤
So great that Mr. Pender shared his story even though some of it was hard to hear, especially the discrimination he suffered. That said, if we don’t hear these stories we can never make this country better.
Great man Mel I'm a white man and I'm ashamed of my race sometimes and this is one of those times forgive me for the way you were treated in front of your mother I respect you MAN !!!!!!!
A great human being, soldier, athlete, American, and Hero! I remember growing up in the 60s when racial conflict was tough I could never understand it or accept it! I always had black friends I never saw color to be a problem. When I joined the Army, being from Boston all the guys called me Boston but was stereotyped because of racial tensions after the 2nd or 3rd week when everyone got to know me we all got tight!!! The problem today causing tensions is the government. This guy knows life and is a great mentor we need more people like him in the world. Thank you for your service and giving what you've accomplished you are a great credit to yourself, your community, your military service, this country, and this life. Thank you!!!!
It's all taught from the older generation!!! But the only way to stop racism is to stop preaching it!!! If you gonna preach preach straight out of the bible!!! I'm sick of all the hate and that's coming from a white guy!!!
Amazing Human Being! Amazing American! He’s is the person we should all strive to be not only as human beings but as Americans.I 100% feel the same way he does about our Country.Say it loud and say it proud Melvin and I hope those that hear you “Listen”.So moved hearing your story,so happy I happen to come across it today. I’m going to share this with everyone I know.Thank you Melvin!
I am from Australia and ex veteran. I have listened to so many of these stories and thoroughly enjoy every one,but this story would have to be by far the most inspiring story i have ever heard. This man is a thorough gentleman in every area.Thankyou for your service
Mr. Ponder you are a true inspiration! Thank the Lord for the fine men that still grace us with their presence! Parents if need be force your teen age children to watch this! God bless you Melvin Ponder, a fine American and a true patriot!
Thank you for your service, Mr. Pender, you are a credit to our country and to the armed services! Your story and character are exactly what we need to hear more of in these times. Your inspiring message of hope is good medicine for all to hear. Let it be heard loudly especially in our public schools today. This Navy Seabee salutes you brother!!
I grew up in the south and know about the segregation. I was at a doctors office with my mother and saw the "colored waiting room". I didnt understand. I do now. Im so very sorry for the way you were treated. Thankyou so much for what you did for this country. God bless you.
Patriot, soldier, athlete, and most importantly a great Human being! Just an absolute joy watching this video and hearing his story. Going to order his book now.
Thank for you service. I was always taught to treat all people with respect. I also as child l never understood why people went to separate school and church .After listening to your story what do you think of 2024.
The black NCO was the backbone of the US Army from desegregation to 1980’s Many young guys going thru Ft Dix Ft Jackson in those years remembers the things they learned from their Black drill Sgt that they carried through their lives.
Please contact me my Friend. Your Mother smiles from heaven because of the man you are. God Bless you. Stand Proud! Looking forward to herring from you
My mother never said anything bad about the black folks. When their house burned down in Dalton she and her family lived with with a black family until the could get another house. They were friends
The best story of a man that is someone I would have loved to call my best friend i would follow him follow him before I would follow lots of white peoples Ok never forget this story I would love to know you even more. If our world was made of people like this how wonderful it would be Respectfully. SFC Jim Holderfield D
Melvin. It wasn't right the way the treated you. I remember riding on a bus with my mother in the early 69s asking her why the black folks had to rude in the back of the bus. She said. It ain't right but that's the way it is. She was raised in Dalton and live among the blacks. She was pore like they were.
Clinton did more for this country than anybody in my opinion.He did his jobl Remember the deficit? Clinton reduced it to zero. First ever. How is he not the best?
@@richardlong8014 true, Clinton's accomplishments were numerous. But there was just a touch of sociopathy in the man (I voted for him). Obama had none of Clinton's moral defects. He was not a retail politician like Clinton. But he was cool, cerebral, and squeaky clean. Advantage Obama, in my book.
He’s a Christian but doesn’t where it on his shirtsleeve. Unlike some that only use the shield of Christ to further their political careers..Y’all know what I’m talk’en about?
May God shed his light on you I'm a white ashamed man for how you were treated in front of your mother please forgive me for the way you've been treated as MAN and for all bigoted ignorant white people bless you my brother as as. A proud American keep the faith you will conquer
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
This is so empowering to see this amazing version of his story! I had the great opportunity to meet Mel Pender in the late 80's at an athletic banquet. I broke bread with him and took pictures with him. My high school, very short-lived track career at Edisto High School in South Carolina brought me to many places. While I was set to be the next "Flo Jo", life set me out in other places. This, however, meeting Mel Pender, was one of my greatest, small career highlights that I will always remember. Thank you great sir for ALL that You have done.❤
So great that Mr. Pender shared his story even though some of it was hard to hear, especially the discrimination he suffered. That said, if we don’t hear these stories we can never make this country better.
His experience in America as a blackman, made him more emotional than his vietnam experience, which war is worst? Great interview
Bless you sir.
Perhaps the most moving and compelling story I've ever experienced. Well worth your time.
Thank you Mel. You are a great American!
Great man Mel I'm a white man and I'm ashamed of my race sometimes and this is one of those times forgive me for the way you were treated in front of your mother I respect you MAN !!!!!!!
Please share this with as many young people as possible. Awesome. A true American hero
A truly inspiring man...
A great human being, soldier, athlete, American, and Hero! I remember growing up in the 60s when racial conflict was tough I could never understand it or accept it! I always had black friends I never saw color to be a problem. When I joined the Army, being from Boston all the guys called me Boston but was stereotyped because of racial tensions after the 2nd or 3rd week when everyone got to know me we all got tight!!! The problem today causing tensions is the government. This guy knows life and is a great mentor we need more people like him in the world. Thank you for your service and giving what you've accomplished you are a great credit to yourself, your community, your military service, this country, and this life. Thank you!!!!
It's all taught from the older generation!!! But the only way to stop racism is to stop preaching it!!! If you gonna preach preach straight out of the bible!!! I'm sick of all the hate and that's coming from a white guy!!!
Georgia has always been known as a racist state!!! I think you've earned every bit of what you got out of life!!! We love ya!!!!
I'm from Arkansas and I Honor all my veitnam veterans!!!! And I agree 💯 we all bleed red!!!!! Thank you for your sacrifices Sir!!!!!!
So do dogs and cats and other animals
Amazing Human Being! Amazing American! He’s is the person we should all strive to be not only as human beings but as Americans.I 100% feel the same way he does about our Country.Say it loud and say it proud Melvin and I hope those that hear you “Listen”.So moved hearing your story,so happy I happen to come across it today. I’m going to share this with everyone I know.Thank you Melvin!
I am from Australia and ex veteran. I have listened to so many of these stories and thoroughly enjoy every one,but this story would have to be by far the most inspiring story i have ever heard. This man is a thorough gentleman in every area.Thankyou for your service
This is the very best interview I have seen in along time. God Bless this man and God Bless you all 2...
Thank you, thank you and thank you!
Great interview. Impressive interviewee.
Mr. Ponder you are a true inspiration! Thank the Lord for the fine men that still grace us with their presence! Parents if need be force your teen age children to watch this! God bless you Melvin Ponder, a fine American and a true patriot!
Thank you for your service, Mr. Pender, you are a credit to our country and to the armed services!
Your story and character are exactly what we need to hear more of in these times. Your inspiring message of hope is good medicine for all to hear. Let it be heard loudly especially in our public schools today. This Navy Seabee salutes you brother!!
I grew up in the south and know about the segregation. I was at a doctors office with my mother and saw the "colored waiting room". I didnt understand. I do now. Im so very sorry for the way you were treated. Thankyou so much for what you did for this country. God bless you.
Patriot, soldier, athlete, and most importantly a great Human being! Just an absolute joy watching this video and hearing his story. Going to order his book now.
Amazing!
Great story and accomplishments. Thank You for your service. A Vietnam Veteran I Corp. 1967-1969
Your fighting spirit shines through. God bless you.
Fighting? His victim BS and free ride stood out for me.
Thank for you service. I was always taught to treat all people with respect. I also as child l never understood why people went to separate school and church .After listening to your story what do you think of 2024.
You are a Man..thank you Hero,
By the way SIR......You look FANTASTIC for your age !!........You are the definition of a good man........a good American !!
What a great American? Thanks for your service. You are a great inspiration to all of us; you make this place better.
Was in ceta program myself mid 70s
Again thanks for you testimony. I admire you. You are a good man.
Awesome
Thank You.
Thank You Mr. Pender.......You SIR.......are the reason I am PROUD to call myself an American........God Bless.
Welcome Home, Thank you Sir, God bless you ALL 🙏
This is the best story I've heard. Mr. Pender you are a true American.
The personal strength and fortitude of this man is incredible. He was treated worse by his fellow countrymen than the enemy he fought.
God bless you
The black NCO was the backbone of the US Army from desegregation to 1980’s Many young guys going thru Ft Dix Ft Jackson in those years remembers the things they learned from their Black drill Sgt that they carried through their lives.
Why does a 60 year old lie and claim to be 80? 😀 You are an inspiration. Thank you for all that you've done.
I love this guy..
I've seen hundreds of vietnam stories and this one tops them all
What a GREAT ending.. WOW. Not to far fetched at all Mell ❤️
Thank you for training people how to lead/learn..You LISTEN!!
Amazing Man why did they not write about what he did in history books and why aren’t they teaching about him and his life in schools?
This is one amazing man I wish everyone had his character
Man God is good to him ! Almost 80 years old . Wow ! No way . He looks and sounds “GREAT “ ! He’s an inspiration !
Please contact me my Friend. Your Mother smiles from heaven because of the man you are. God Bless you. Stand Proud! Looking forward to herring from you
A great American Hero...I love him to talk to my young men amd women in Princess Anne Md
He he ever writes a book. I'll definitely buy it
This is an incredible gentlman
God bless you Melvin.
Thanks for speaking your mind.
One question. Did you ever become a helicopter pilot? So many moving topics, and that phase was left out.
My mother never said anything bad about the black folks. When their house burned down in Dalton she and her family lived with with a black family until the could get another house. They were friends
A man you wood like for a friend thank you!!
He won!!!!!!!
A true American patriot and hero
The best story of a man that is someone I would have loved to call my best friend i would follow him follow him before I would follow lots of white peoples Ok never forget this story I would love to know you even more. If our world was made of people like this how wonderful it would be
Respectfully. SFC Jim Holderfield D
He is a real inspiration. God speed
This guy bettered his idol Audie Murphy
Thank you for your service Sir. However, a little less playing the constant victim would benefit you.
He was the constant victim. He was telling his story. Your comment reveals reveals a lot.
He is a role model.
Somebody vet nam vets can be proud that they are
Melvin. It wasn't right the way the treated you. I remember riding on a bus with my mother in the early 69s asking her why the black folks had to rude in the back of the bus. She said. It ain't right but that's the way it is. She was raised in Dalton and live among the blacks. She was pore like they were.
I cannot believe no captions
This guy bounced around so much it was hard to follow him
Believing all ppl r the same makes 0 sense. No1 is the same. My pops is a Vietnam vet he was a navy on a gunship
Great story! And spot on about Obama. Best president in the last 30 years.
Clinton did more for this country than anybody in my opinion.He did his jobl Remember the deficit? Clinton reduced it to zero. First ever. How is he not the best?
@@richardlong8014 true, Clinton's accomplishments were numerous. But there was just a touch of sociopathy in the man (I voted for him). Obama had none of Clinton's moral defects. He was not a retail politician like Clinton. But he was cool, cerebral, and squeaky clean. Advantage Obama, in my book.
Partly correct
Looking back and coming forward, Not so much. The smoke has cleared.
He’s a Christian but doesn’t where it on his shirtsleeve. Unlike some that only use
the shield of Christ to further their political careers..Y’all know what I’m talk’en about?
50.00 minute mark is fire
May God shed his light on you I'm a white ashamed man for how you were treated in front of your mother please forgive me for the way you've been treated as MAN and for all bigoted ignorant white people bless you my brother as as. A proud American keep the faith you will conquer
virtue signaling tautologies ~