The month of February is a federally recognized commemoration for the contributions and achievements of African American figures in U.S. History. Every year, we remember trailblazers in science, math, arts and culture, politics, religion, and the military—encouraging us to celebrate the influence of African American key figures while overcoming adversity.

African Americans have served in the U.S. military pre-dating the Revolutionary War. Our nation’s armed force successes are due, in part, to the heroic efforts of Black Patriots and Americans. Black history is American history…it is OUR history.

During this month, Sheriff’s Star Post 309 is taking the opportunity to feature some our Post members, most of whom are Post Officers, and highlight their thoughts on service in the Armed Forces, their service to our communities, and their service to our veterans.

Editor’s note: To submit your own member highlight, you can upload here, or email text and photos to editor@caLegion.org.

I have been asked to write a few words for Black History month on what was it like to serve in the military, public service, and as a Post Officer.

My parents met at a USO dance at the end of WWII, so if it were not for the military I would not have been born. I was one of those persons in the middle 1960’s who watched the war in Vietnam and thought ‘I could do that,’ so when I was drafted, it was no problem. I wonder if my time in the military was any different than others, because I ended up as an Infantryman, and contrary to movies that you might have watched, did not experience any type of discrimination among my fellow soldiers. I am not saying there wasn’t any since I went to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Ft. Polk LA, one of the most racist camps in the Army, but most of my fellow soldiers were from either CA or New York and were very diverse. While in Vietnam we all had to function as a unit which meant having your life depending on each other. This is where I learned the meaning or real brotherhood, comradeship, and loyalty and saw many color barriers broken.

After returning home I worked for Los Angeles County as a civilian in the Sheriff’s Dept (Booking Office), and realized the most natural thing was helping people by providing public service. I eventually promoted to be a Safety Police Chief and became the senior Chief of Los Angeles County. The County Police was absorbed into the Sheriff’s Department, and I finally retired after 38 years.

I was invited to join the American Legion when I returned home by my former father-in-law, but I declined thinking it was a place to tell war stories and drink, and I had a family to raise. Years later, my Assistant Chief’s husband who was an LAPD officer, informed me of all the great things the Legion was doing for veterans, and that if I was looking for an organization similar to the military with regard to finding the feeling of brotherhood, I should look to the Legion. After being in the Legion for a while I realized that within the Department of California the upper echelons had no diversity and California had never had a Department Commander who was a minority.

I was ecstatic when Charlie Eskridge became the first Afro-American Commander in California. This gave me the motivation that I needed, and in 2010 I announced that I would be running for Department Commander. There was no one available to help guide me and I ran on the premise that I was the “Best Individual” to be Commander. I was elected during Convention in 2011. It gave me a good feeling to be Commander and I swore that I would do everything I could in the future to help and mentor those veterans who needed it. In 2014 I was elected to be the National Executive Committeeman (NEC) and as of today’s date I was the first and only person of color to represent California at the National level in over 100 years of the Legion.

The Star Post is the best example of all the things that I was looking for when I joined the American Legion: Brotherhood, Comradeship, and Loyalty. I am proud to part of such a organization, especially since I am a person of color.

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My enlistment into the Military, specifically the Marine Corps, was an important part of my development as a young man. The training and experiences I acquired in the Marine Corps’ boot camp and School of Infantry training, prepared me to rely on my personal strengths; discipline, determination, and perseverance to overcome various situations in my life. The opportunity to serve my country meant a lot to me and my family. My sense of pride in wearing the uniform, continuing the legacy of those men and women who served before me, and modeling the way for future generations of service members, gives me great pride in my enlistment.

In public service:

As a veteran, I have attained a second opportunity to make a difference in various communities through public service as a deputy sheriff. This is important to me because I realize many children in our underserved neighborhoods, do not have great role models in their communities. My employment in public service has given me an opportunity to be impactful in the lives of the youths and to serve as a professional example for young adults. I believe public service is a great way to influence and provide real examples of professional men and women working in their communities.

As a Star Post 309 officer:

Star Post 309 has provided me the ability to combine my veteran status with my profession. This combination means the traditions we value as military veterans, and our comradery as service members, can be viewed honorably in the workplace and in memory of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

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My thirty-three years of service to my country, community, and Star Post 309 started as a deep sense of pride, consciousness, and self-confidence. As a kid, I was committed to always being the best I could be no matter what I was doing. It is difficult to explain why I chose to serve. However, what I do know is that I never wanted to do anything else.

My father was a Chicago Police Officer for 27 years and worked a variety of assignments throughout his career. My grandfathers, as well as uncles, all served in the U.S. Army during different periods of peace and war in America’s history. Maybe it was what I gleaned from their stories about how, although they faced adversity as black men serving in law enforcement or the military, they still stood alongside their white counterparts to serve their country, community, the American people, and protect our way of life.

Serving as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, as a Deputy Sheriff with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, as a Sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and as a post officer for Star Post 309 has been an honor and privilege. Honor, courage, and commitment were instilled in me at a very young age and helped me both on the battlefield and while serving in our nation’s communities.

The eagle globe and anchor and each badge I wore represented the prestige, honor, and heritage of those who served before me. I willingly accepted the responsibility of my chosen profession because I love our country, and although it wasn’t always easy, I would not change a thing about my dedication to service.

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Service above self and integrity are principles I hold at the core of my life. These foundational principles were forged and instilled in me both as a cadet at United States Air Force Academy and while on active duty. After honorably serving my commitment in the Air Force, I moved to Los Angeles where I taught in public schools. It was my honor to educate youth about government and their civic duties as residents of the greatest democracy in the world.

My passion for public service further deepened when I saw the need for safer communities here in Los Angeles. I parlayed this need into a career as a peace officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. It has been my honor to serve and protect communities throughout our county.

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As a member of the American Legion Star Post #309, I have re-engaged me with my veteran community. This connection was further ignited my commitment toward our values and service and enabled me to better serve my community in other roles. I have had the honor of working directly with non-profits like Children’s Institute International and Project E.R.I.N., which shelter and treat abuse victims. I also served as Homeless Chair of a Neighborhood Council Committee.
My journey into the Air Force was a little different than most people’s. I was barely 17 and had just graduated from Long Beach Poly High School. I thought I wanted to run track in college, but I was not prepared for the commitment of Division One athletics. So, I decided I would go to Long Beach City College while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.

My mother, Alicia, said, “Absolutely not. You’re going to go to the military!” She took me down to the recruiters’ office. Back in 2000, all four branches of the military shared one office in Long Beach. I was, and still am, always up for a challenge so I decided on the Marine Corps; plus, they always looked so sharp when they were on the high school campus. My mother said she would not sign for me to go to into the Marines, so I had to make another decision. The Army recruiter overheard our conversation and interjected. I did not like his uniform and was drawn to the Air Force recruiter. Staff Sergeant Harris from the Air Force looked very sharp in his “blues.” After speaking with him, I enlisted and shipped off to Basic Training on September 11, 2000.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Air Force and matured quickly. I felt honored and proud to be a member of the US military and I feel proud to be gainfully employed with the Sheriff’s Department. I remember being on patrol in Compton and a little black girl saw me in uniform was so excited to “see someone who looked like her.” That made me want to continue to be a great role model for my daughters, that little girl, and other little girls “who look like her.”

I attribute much of my success to the experiences I gained while in the Air Force, and now through my membership in Star Post, I can give back to our veteran community.

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Deputy Dennis R. Woullard was born and raised in South Mississippi. He graduated from Gulfport High School in May 1989. From there he went on to Jackson State University on a football scholarship, where he played football and majored in Business Management from 1989 to 1993. In 1997 he moved to Springfield, Illinois and enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserves. In February 1998 he reported to boot camp at MCRD San Diego CA. He served two years at 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Peoria IL while starting his law enforcement career with the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In the spring of 2000, he moved back to Gulfport and joined the Reserve unit 3rd Force Reconnaissance out of Mobile, Alabama. Dennis also joined the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. After the tragedy of 9/11 occurred, issues surfaced that rendered his reserve unit undeployable. Consequently, Dennis transferred to 4th Amphibious Assault as the communications/training Sergeant. In February 2003 he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and attached to 3rd Battalion 1st Marines.

On March 2003, his unit crossed the Kuwait/Iraqi border and pushed north to Baghdad. Along the way, they encountered pockets of resistance and conducted numerous combat missions. The heaviest combat was in and around the town of Nasiriyah, as he fought for 12 hours straight to secure the supply lines which ran through the city.

On January 2005, Dennis was again activated and deployed to Iraq. There his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Battalion 25th Marines. This deployment proved to be much more difficult as his unit was sent to the notorious An Anbar Province. They based their operations out of Haditha and conducted numerous combat missions along the Euphrates River corridor, all the way to the Syrian border. His Battalion suffered many casualties with 48 Marines killed in action and over 75 wounded in action. Many of the casualties came from direct fire, IED’s and mortars. Dennis himself was wounded twice and was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star during this deployment.

Ever the humblest of men, Dennis will not boast his achievements, so we’ll do it for him as we are proud of his service and accomplishments. To put things into perspective, the Silver Star Medal is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to an Armed Forces servicemember. It is awarded for gallantry in action, and are for actions of such high degree, that they are above those required for other US combat decorations save the Medal of Honor or a Service Cross. The Purple Heart is awarded to service-members who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of an enemy. It is specifically a combat decoration.

In October 2005, Dennis returned to the US. Many of those from his unit who lived in and around South Mississippi and Louisiana came back to the devastation created by Hurricane Katrina. He found he lost everything to tidal flooding and hurricane winds from the storm.

Undeterred, Dennis immediately started looking west and relocated to Los Angles. He flew out and tested with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and was soon hired. He entered the LASD academy on April 12, 2006. After graduating from the academy, he worked custody at Twin Towers and North County Correctional Facility. In May 2011 Dennis began working patrol at South Los Angeles Station up until May 2016.

From SLA he transferred to Transit Services Bureau where he was assigned to the Threat Interdiction Unit.

Dennis is now a sergeant at TTCF. His wife, KeeArnold, serves as the captain’s secretary at Emergency Operation’s Bureau. Together they have two sons, Gabriel and Dennis R. Woullard II.

Dennis is an active member of Star Post 309 and has recruited his military veteran friends to also join the American Legion. Recently he participated in a Vets 4 Vets Peer Support program discussion on veterans in a Post 9/11 era. The event was facilitated by the LASD’s Psych Services Bureau, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, and Star Post 309. It was held shortly after and because of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.