Harold Thompson
People ask me why I want to become an attorney. For me it is my dream. This dream began over a decade ago on a Friday evening. I was dressed in a blue suit and tie, and on that evening I was due in court. For the next two years I would find myself engrossed in “the system”. As I walked through the court room hallways a rush of emotions hit me at once. I was exhilarated, nervous, and yet energized. I smiled as I entered the court room doors. For this day would be my first day in court as a volunteer teen attorney for the Grayson county teen court program. In retrospect I realize this was a moment that defined the person I am today. However, it would be an even higher calling that fueled my life and dream.
With two years of exposure to the court room procedures the interest of law was sparked. However, after graduation of high school I did not have a plan to finance my dream. I was raised by my aunt and uncle, whom had only a high school education, but worked tirelessly to provide for me. I was very appreciative of the fact they took me in as a child and could not bear to burden them with notions of an expensive education. Shortly thereafter, I embarked on a road travelled by my two older brothers which was to serve my country in the United States Air Force. What an honor it was for me to serve my country and help preserve democracy and freedom. Though at the time my childhood friends were now in college pursing their dreams, I lived by the motto that every soldier is taught; service before self. While serving my country I learned integrity, perseverance, teamwork, and commitment. Unbeknownst to me these lessons would prove to be invaluable. My service allowed me to travel to many countries and experience different cultures. Through my service I became a proud and honored disabled war veteran, all the while finding time to take college courses. The military is known for many things, one of those being a staunch supporter of soldiers gaining their education. Even though the Air Force demanded more from me than any other thing I experienced in life, there always seemed to be time for school. For, though my military career taught me things and opened my eyes to the world, it served its purpose and was my vessel towards one thing…law school. After 8 years of service and some college I secured a pre-conditioned job offer in the private sector.
As fate would have it my pre-conditioned job did not materialize and it was not long before I found myself homeless. For the next several months I went from living in my automobile to sleeping in a shelter and eventually finding day work to pay for a hotel room. It is remarkable how life can be so unpredictable. However, what undoubtedly by any measure should have been my weakest 7 months thus far was in fact the beginning of my strength. As I lay in the shelter I took comfort in knowing that this failure in life was no challenge compared to being deployed in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or even Bahrain where I slept in the desert in tents and cots. I found myself prepared for any situation in life, physically and mentally. Thank you US Air Force. Now with a financial backing for education through the Montgomery GI Bill and passion of accomplishing ones goals, I moved to Texas in pursuit of law school. And as I drove from state to state en route to Texas I quietly took in my life experiences.
Through my experiences I have grown to have a new passion for helping people, especially veterans. With firsthand knowledge of the turbulence that may accompany military veterans in transition to the private sector, I founded a company that addresses this dilemma. World Police Staff Agency (WPSA), registered in Collin County Texas, is an independent recruitment company that assists transitional veterans in securing employment primarily through matching skills acquired through service with companies that conduct business internationally, with an emphasis on security and infrastructure reconstruction. Currently WPSA has assisted veterans whom are now or have been employed for Combat Support Associates (CSA) and Triple Canopy, companies of which are contracted through the U.S. Department of State to provide services to areas such as Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. By also being a disabled veteran I have a keen understanding of the distress this may cause. In 2008 I co-founded The Future Foundation of Inspiration, Inc. (FFI). FFI is a non-profit organization that assists, through donation and volunteering services, the Dallas Texas chapter Disabled American Veteran Organization, providing disaster relief funds through donations, as well as providing educational scholarship money to students who major in Education.
In closing, my journey has been long. Although my dream is to become a lawyer, it was the military that fueled my dream and my life. Through my service I now can realize my dream by being able to pay for school. Even when life had me at the lowest point, homeless, a lesser man would have crumbled. I smiled. My military experience has taught me more than words can be put in this essay. I know that I am a stronger person with integrity, motivation, and a keen desire to get the job done. Thank you US Air Force. And as I gain a legal education I can extend myself further in advancing the legal services that veterans alike desperately need. I learned that there is an alarming shortage of legal professionals that dedicate themselves to the needs of veterans. I would like to use my legal education to carry this torch. Now that I am at the eve of my journey, a legal education, I am exhilarated, nervous, and yet energized. For I know that I am one step closer to putting on that blue suit and tie again as I enter the court room as an attorney. Thank you US Air Force!
