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Proud parents on hand to celebrate son’s promotion to Col. Kevin Branch

NNPA NEWSWIRE — When Westwood High School graduate Kevin Branch was promoted to colonel – or “full bird” for the Army nerds – in the U.S. Armed Forces on Jan. 11, he was extremely grateful that both of his parents were able to do the honors of pinning him at the ceremony.

Published

8 years ago

March 30, 2019

Oakland Post

By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

When Westwood High School graduate Kevin Branch was promoted to colonel – or “full bird” for the Army nerds – in the U.S. Armed Forces on Jan. 11, he was extremely grateful that both of his parents were able to do the honors of pinning him at the ceremony.

“To have one parent there on such a day is special,” said Branch. “This was the summation of all the hard work and sacrifices I have made over the years. To have both parents there was, well, you just don’t have the words for that moment.”

Parents John Branch and Rosemary Hall savored that moment on the New Jersey army base, marveling at the event and reflecting on the obstacles and challenges that brought their son up to this cherished moment in time.

“I was just so proud at that moment because of where we were living when Kevin was a boy,” said Branch’s father. “I stayed on him about doing what was right. I didn’t want him going the way that so many others had gone staying in the streets. To see him go this high, I just didn’t think that being a young black man that this could happen to my son. It was just wonderful.”

At that time, the elder Branch feels that he had good reason to watch his son more closely to make sure he didn’t get into trouble. Kevin Branch also admits that he never wanted to get caught up in any drugs or gang activity growing up. He wanted to make something of himself.

“I grew up in Boxtown, and we didn’t have very much. It was a pretty impoverished area. I was willing to work hard in school and strive to be successful in my education. I wanted to steer clear of any minefields that could derail my plans and destroy my future.”

“It was in 10th grade when I joined the Army Junior ROTC. That was a defining point for me. There was a lieutenant colonel who took me under his wing. He became my first military mentor. I had my father in my life, but I had mentors outside my family who took an interest in me. That meant so much to me and really helped me develop a sense of dedication and determination to be successful.”

Before graduating high school, Branch received the highest award in JROTC, the JROTC Medal for Heroism from the commanding general of the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

“Immediately after graduating from Westwood High School in 1992, I signed up for the Army. I knew my parents didn’t have the money to send me to college. So when you are given a four-year ROTC scholarship, you can go on to school, although you are enlisted.”

Branch attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and was commissioned as an army field artillery officer in 1998. He later transferred to the Army Engineer Branch in 2007, where he currently serves as director of public works and regional engineer for the 99th Division (Readiness).

An impressive civilian education includes a Master of Defense Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada; a Master of National Security Strategy from the National Defense University; a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla; a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He is also a graduate of the Chrysler Manufacturing Academy and World Center for Concrete Technology, Executive Session.

Branch’s military education includes the National War College, Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), and the United Kingdom Intermediate Level Education (Ground) Exchange Program.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Gold Badge, and many other commendations.

He is a recipient of the National War College 2016 Department of Homeland Security Award for Excellence in Research and Writing and holds the distinction as being the first National Defense University North American Aerospace Defense Command/U.S. Northern Command Scholar. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Branch is married to Alecia Thompson-Branch, an attending neonatologist at Montefiore Hospital and assistant professor of neonatology at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in Bronx, NY. They have two sons, Ethan, 2, and Emerson, seven months.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
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Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
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“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
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AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

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Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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