Author: Richard W. Johnson

Walter B. Rice was born on July 19, 1942 in Frankford Hospital and was raised in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.  Ricey, as he was known, attended Hamilton Disston Elementary School and Lincoln High School. Ricey joined the Army National Guard and worked at different jobs such as Myerstone Basin Company, Nesbitt and worked at Frankford Hospital for over 20 years and retired.

Ricey, while serving in the National Guard, served on disaster duty in many places and and some of the island countries.   During his service, he received his paratrooper wings while at Fort Bragg jump school.

Ricey loved his job at Frankford Hospital and was well liked.  He knew just as much about hospital problems, you would think he was a doctor.  Ricey passed away on October of 2018 and will be missed very much.

Walter B. Rice – Thank you for your service!!!

Robert L. Cupit was born on March 7^th 1957 in the City of Brotherly Love. Rob, as he was known, went to Clymer Elementary School, Stetson Junior High School and then West Philadelphia High School.  He also attended Penn State University and Community College.

Rob was baptized at an early age,  He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in December of 1979 and was discharged in December of 1987.  He took his Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where he finished his tour of duty.  Rob received various awards and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (E4).

After serving his duty, Rob was employed by Xerox Corp. Cintas and Herrs Potato Chip Company.  He then became a law court officer.

Rob was a very active type of person, involving himself in various community projects such as the Y.M.C.A., the Boys and Girls Club and is now serving at the Lloyd C. Wilson American Legion Post 224 as the Post Judge Advocate.

Rob, in his spare tie, loves playing Chess, shooting pool, basketball and TV football games. Rob has had many challenges in his life but has managed to defeat them all and move forward.  He is achieving his goals in his life.

Robert L. Cupit:  Fly on brother and thank you for your service.

Philadelphia is a city like so many large, populous cities in America with economic and crime problems which trickle down to young people who want to do the right thing.  But sometimes they get caught up in the negative ways of life.

Most young women who made mistakes, especially those who become single parents, will do whatever is necessary to raise their children the right way. When Junius A. Johnson was born on December 3, 1997 in the wild, wild West (West Philadelphia), a new sheriff was in town (his mother, Wanda Johnson).  She decided she wasn’t gonna let the claws of the street get a hold of her son.

She put Juju, as he was known, into St. Donato Charter school where he became an honor roll student. He continued on the honor roll at Freire Charter High School and then attended Widener University for his bachelor degree in criminal justice. While in those schools he joined R.O.T.C. (Reserve Officer Training Corps).

To avoid being involved in a street gang, Juju decided to join the largest gang in America, the U.S. Army, an organization of people trained to protect the values and lives of the people of America and countries that ask for help. Juju enlisted on November 7, 2016 and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and advanced training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.  His current rank is Private First Class (PFC).

Juju loves community service around the city, including being a camp counselor for years. He also loves tutoring and being a guide at Mercy Philadelphia Hospital.  Juju also loves anything Army related.

Visiting his grandmom, listening to her old-school philosophy and her religious ways of doing the right thing, is a real blessing.  Juju loves what he has accomplished and how proud he has made his mother and family feel.

Junius A. Johnson, stand tall and be proud and thank you for your service.

 

Don Donaldson was born on April 19, 1954 in Anderson, South Carolina. He was raised in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Don was educated in the Philadelphia school system, attending Smedley Elementary, Harding Junior High and Frankford High School.

Don was baptized and active member of Northeast Baptist Church. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1972. He finished his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he was shipped out to various Oriental tours like Japan, Korea and Vietnam. While serving his duties, he received various awards and was promoted to E5 (sergeant). Don was honorably discharged in 1976.

Don became a sheet metal worker at Progressor Metal Company for numerous years.  Don loved doing community work and volunteer work. While doing cleanup work around the Frankford Avenue area on a volunteer basis, he was recognized for his great work by Kim Washington of the NAC program who felt that a veteran who served this community should be compensated for his time and he was hired as a paid employee.

So, when you see Don up and around the Avenue keeping the area nice, show your appreciation for his service in the military and in the hood.

“Hoo Rah, Don”