"Dean the Marine" title is a rhyming, defining nickname, signifying patriotic devotion to career military service: U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (1982-2009).

Military Career Events:
Persian Gulf War I Veteran (Desert Shield/ Desert Storm 1990-1991); Cold War Veteran (1982-1991); Disabled Military Veteran; 5 Enlistments & 5 Honorable Discharges; Highest Military Decoration Received: Navy Achievement Medal.

Honorable Mention Military Service, etc.:
Casualty Assistance Duty at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware:
Assigned to support U.S. Marines killed in terrorist bombing attack against USMC Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, on 23 Oct. 1983, amidst Lebanese Civil War, in support of United Nations Multi-National Force Peacekeeping Operations;
Casualty Assistance Concurrent Duty at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware:
Assigned to support U.S. Marine casualties of U.S. Joint Services Grenada Rescue Operation, Grenada, Caribbean Islands, commencing 25 Oct. 1983;
Poster Marine (1983) for USMC Recruiting TV Commercial (Broadcast 7 years: 1983-1990);
Utah Federal Employee of the Year (1991) as a U.S. Marine Reservist and U.S. Government Civil Servant;
Golden Rule Award for Volunteerism (1991, Utah) as a U.S. Marine Reservist and U.S. Government Civil Servant.

Civilian Education Achieved during U.S. Marine Corps Career (3 College Undergraduate Degrees, plus some Graduate School College Credits):
1. Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts,
Regents College (now Excelsior College), Univ. of State of New York,
1988 Graduate;
2. Bachelor of Arts Degree (Triple Major: History, Sociology, Political Science),
Regents College (now Excelsior College), Univ. of State of New York,
1990 Graduate with Honors, including Catherine Craig-Erhardt Scholarship Award,
Re: Outstanding American Military Veteran Scholar of 1990 Graduating Class;
3. Bachelor of Science Degree (Major: Business Administration & Minor: History), Columbia College,
1999 Graduate with Honors, including:
Magna Cum Laude Scholar in 1999 Graduating Class,
Ranked 2nd Academically Overall,

USMC Career Assignments, Training & Achievements:
"Any Clime or Place": Infantry Training (Amphibious, Riverine, Tropical, Winter, Mountain, Desert); Leadership: Platoon Guide, Platoon Sergeant, Infantry Squad Leader, Infantry Company Admin Chief, Battalion Personnel Public Affairs Chief, Division Personnel Section Chief; Chaplaincy Svc. (Platoon Religious Lay Leader), Marksmanship Instructor; Weapons Qualification (Rifle Expert, Rifle Sharpshooter, Rifle Marksman); Weapons Proficiency Training (Rifles, Pistols, Grenades); Wartime Casualty Assistance; Linguistics (German); General's Aide; Personnel Administrator; Pay Disburser; Public Affairs Rep.; Toys For Tots Charity Campaign Public Speaker; Communications; Postal Svc. (Mail Carrier); Supply Admin.; Motor Transport Driver; Logistics (Reserve Support, Wartime Mobilization, Troop Embarkation).

In my military career, I stayed true to the United States Marine Corps Motto: "Semper Fidelis" (Roman Latin for "Always Faithful"). To fulfill this "Semper Fi" credo, I adhered to the U.S. Marine Corps Core Values: Honor, Courage, Commitment. My Military Service was defined and inspired by Valiant Ideals: Faith, Courage, Honor, Sacrifice, and Noble Deeds.

During my youth in North Carolina and South Carolina, Farming, Forestry and Journalism were early vocations. However, the Call of Duty as an American Marine became a major focus of my Life's Work.

Highest Calling of Fatherhood has led to my Highest Honor: Father. I have kept God's Pro-Creation Commandment, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth..." (Genesis 1:28), anciently issued, oft-repeated, never rescinded, remaining in effect...
--Source: Genesis 1, Verse 28b, Old Testament, Holy Bible.

Though divorced, I am a Devoted Family Man: Caring, Loving Father of 6 Dear Children (5 sons & 1 daughter); Proud Grandpa of 6 Dear Grandchildren (4 granddaughters & 2 grandsons). My Love of Family extends unto Posterity Yet Unborn: many more Grand- children & Great Grandchildren are expected, during the 21st Century's early decades. Ledbetter Descendant Generations may extend Forever...

Psalm 127 by Wise King Solomon fortifies my Fatherhood Perspective:

"3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..."
--Source: Psalms 127, Verses 3 thru 5a, Old Testament, Holy Bible.

Love of learning is enriching. Language Learning and Family History Research are 2 of my Joyful Passions, along with cherishing Military History, American History and World History.

Family Surnames of Special Interest: Vausbinder, Ledbetter, Kendall, Perkins.

Love of Living Family and Love of Deceased Family aren't conflicting concepts or competing goals, but go hand-in-hand. I love my Living Family. I also love my Deceased Ancestors, most of whom died before my birth. The only way I can meet and greet my Deceased Family in this Mortal Life is through diligent Family History Research.

Why highly regard Family History with Dignity, Respect, Purpose, Passion? Why perform Family History Endeavors? Why do Genealogy Core Objectives (Discovering Family Heritage, Linking Family Generations & Honoring Our Ancestors), matter greatly in Modern Times?

Malachi, final book of the Old Testament, provides helpful enlightenment.

"5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
--Source: Malachi 4:5-6 (Promise of Hearts Turning), Old Testament, Holy Bible.

Ever since I was a Child, my Heart, Soul and Mind lovingly have turned to my Ancestors. "The Beauty of Youth is Appreciation" was a guiding principle I learned. During my Youthful Years, I appreciated the many Faithful Labors –-Noble Deeds-- of my Forthright Forbears, to graciously grant unto me a Rich Heritage: Treasured Choice Gifts of Love, Life, Liberty, Learning, and Legacy.

Years later, as a Mature Man, I appreciate my Forebear's Endeavors, even more so than I did as a Child. The Faith, Courage, Honor, Sacrifice and Noble Deeds of my Valiant Ancestors are inspirational to me. Perhaps, just perhaps, an Attitude of Gratitude can become MY Beauty of Maturity.

As the youngest of the Ledbetter Cousins of my Post-World War Two Baby Boomer Generation, I understand, I am a Keeper of the Flame and Torchbearer: Family Historian and Storyteller for all those Cherished Ancestors, who lived before me...

Respecting, Researching, and Recording my Family History are significant ways, whereby I truly can express my Personal Appreciation --and Heartfelt Love-- for Adored Ancestors. Ancestral Life Stories deserve to be told unto a Dreary and Weary World, whose confused and discouraged people are yearning for Heroes and Heroines, Help and Hope, Guidance and Gallantry, Ingenuity and Inspiration, Encouragement and Example.

By telling Life Stories of Dear Ancestors in an honorable, respectful manner, I better can fulfill God's Parental Honor Commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Thereby, in an extended sense, I also can honor Ancestral Grand-Fathers and Grand-Mothers.
--Source: Exodus Chapter 20: Verse 12
(10 Commandments or Decalogue),
Old Testament, Holy Bible.

Family History Research, joined with related Journal-keeping, Biographical-sketching and Family History Book-writing, are some of my Golden Opportunities to bring History to Life and to bridge the Past, Present and Future. With the Past being Prologue for Posterity, I am leaving a documented Heritage Trail and linking the Legacy of Bygone Ancestors with Future Generations: Children Now Living and Posterity Yet Unborn.

Families indeed can be Together Forever. Therefore, with a Perfect Brightness of Hope, I shall Redeem My Vow (Keep My Promise) unto a Host of Dearly Departed Ancestors. I shall do my Sacred Duty of Family History Endeavors, to lovingly support All My Family (Past, Present & Future) in the Worthy Goal of Eternal Family Unity, an Unbroken Family Circle: Family...Together...Forever...

--Dean Ledbetter

SIDNEY DEAN LEDBETTER

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