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Veteran's Affairs Plus discusses the issues that veterans in Las Vegas deal with on a daily basis. Your host, David L. Washington connects listeners with relevant community resources and information that they need to help veterans or themselves.
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This is a KU NV studios original program.
Wesley Knight 0:04
You're listening to special programming sponsored by making moves, life coaching services. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. You
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what's going great
Dave Washington 0:50
day, Las Vegas. Great day. In fact, I got that phrase from a dear friend, Lionel Charles. I used to say, man, it's a good day. Said, No, man, it's a great day, a great day to be alive. So once again, I certainly echo those sentiments. It's a great day, as I always try to do. Make a few announcements. Certainly, we lost a civil rights icon. We just learned this morning, Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away. So certainly want to express condolences to his family. He did a lot of work in the community with several different nonprofit organizations, and I can tell you that I do recall him as a negotiator, going over and getting this pilot that had been captured over in the Middle East. But one thing I heard today on another show that I listened to routinely urban view. They mentioned a Chicago firefighter was on and said that Chicago firefighters didn't even have a contract, and Jesse Reverend Jesse Jackson negotiated it. He talked folks into the leadership of the Chicago political forum. He he convinced them that these, these firefighters, should have a contract. So I learned that today I was totally, totally unaware. And then, with regards to condolences, one again, once again, want to acknowledge the family of Theo Jefferson, and again, say condolences they want had one heck of a home going for him just this past week. So Theo, rest in peace, my brother, you did a lot of good work, and I understood that he did more. It's something that when people pass away, you learn more about them, to include the gentleman that I have on shortly, the things that I learned about his dad from reading his obituary. But Theo helped a lot of women get into to becoming electricians. I had absolutely no idea that. Also learned that he was a military veteran, and I certainly would have had Theo on this show, because he's done tremendous work. In fact, he and I along with Lanny Hogan, Lonnie. What was lonnie's last name, but all of us were coaches with Orlando Hogan, and we had a pretty dynamic set of young men over time. We were like the number one in that age group in Pop Warner for three, four or five years in a row, and I was a trainer. He had, I, you know, I never really played football, so And Larry told he said, man, just treat them like they and they all respond so beyond that. So once again, condolences to both of those families. And with regards to birthdays, Danny Garnier, Clark County firefighter, Alicia Gibbs and of course, my wife Marsha had her birthday on Super Bowl, February 8, and we had a good time watching the game. Her And Dave is screaming and shouting at the TV, but overall, had a great day. And then we took her out to dinner just this past Sunday. Chip Tyler, good golfing buddy of mine, and he's one of the ones I pick when I want to when I need a long ball if I'm playing in a foursome, we all get used Maria maranch, she used to work for the City of Las Vegas. Adelia Logan miles bunch money Pollard, who was a chaplain for the Metropolitan Police Department. Terry Neil, niece of Senator Joe Neil, who was an ancestor with Terry always just a joy to be around. Asha Jones, another person who's been around here for a number of years, Felix Glasgow, retired Clark County firefighter. Felisa and I've been friends since elementary school. And then Mark Lindsay, the DJ, the On Air personality over at 88 and Dorothy Muhammad, another good person that I've known from a number of years. And then finally, Herman Pierce, a retired Las Vegas fire fire officer. In fact, he was a captain doing his career. So just want to say Happy birth to all those folks. Let me go back real quick, and then I introduce you. I want to go back and say that once again with the. Of Jesse Jackson, we appreciate the work that he did while here on Earth. So with that, I would like to introduce, and again, this is Black History Month, and I just thought that it would be appropriate to to acknowledge the legacy of a number of individuals, and certainly when I attended its father's uh services. In fact, no, I didn't, because I was out of town, but Marsha did, and when I started reading his obituary, man and his I like this dude done so much. So Ed his son. Ed me. What's going on? My friend.
Ed May Jr. 5:37
Hello, Dave. I'm glad to be here, and thanks for the invite, and especially for an opportunity to be able to do a follow up and share even more about my dad.
Dave Washington 5:49
Absolutely, he did some stuff. Absolutely he did a lot. He did a lot it. So he was also a military veteran. You mentioned that before we got on online here, he was in the Navy, right? Absolutely.
Ed May Jr. 6:08
He was in the Navy. He was honorably discharged in October 25 1954 he was in the Korean War. And he was actually on the heavy cruise the USS Toledo, I ended up finding out about which was interesting, and he was there at the Navy during a time where so much is happening with the military relative to the transitions and an executive order that Truman had put out, and so more opportunities had opened up where they were able to do many of the disciplines, other than some of the standard being cooks and so forth. So that was transpiring during that time, absolutely.
Dave Washington 6:57
And to that point, my dad was in the Navy as well, and he was, as you mentioned, he was a steward or cook. And it's ironic that I became a cook in the United States Army, but yeah, those were certain jobs were only relegated to, or they were relegated to talking about black African American soldiers, military personnel. So, yeah, that's, that's something then, like I said as I read your dad's Oh obituary, man, I'm like, This guy is one of certainly, in my way of thinking, an unsung hero. So this being again, African American History Month, Black History Month, I just thought that we should profile him. So give us some more on your dad and some of the outstanding things that he did to grow a better Las Vegas.
Ed May Jr. 7:50
Okay, well, just to sort of share with you, my dad was actually born in Lee or outside of Marshall, Texas in 1934 and he graduated as a salutatorian of his high school in Karnak, Texas. And he ended up moving, after he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he moved to Las Vegas and with my mother, Rosetta, and settled in the historic West Side community to raise a family. And he actually purchased a home that he that that is still my stepmother resides in right now. It's still family home and back in the mid 50s, and that's that particular area was the Virginia manor of the West Side Community, and he resided there until it's passing back in February of 24 but also, as you know and I've shared before, he was one of the first African Americans licensed to pilot small engine airplanes in the state of Nevada, And in 1957 he joined the civil law patrol and auxiliary of the United States Air Force, where he performed countless, countless search and rescue missions throughout the western United States. He was an instructor, also for the cadet program, teaching high school students about aviation. And he, as I had indicated before my mother actually passed in 1977 due to cancer, and he later married to remarkable Marjorie May and with our family expanded with my two step brothers and I had already had four sisters, and they continued to raise this expanded family in a Christian manner. He was faithful. He was, at one time in the 60s and 70s, the sole owner of a religious book and music store that was located near Jackson Street on the historic West Side. He was. Charter member, one of the four families that started victory Missionary Baptist Church, which was established in 61 under the leadership of Reverend Thompson. And he served as the chairman of Trustee Board for many years. In addition to that, it was interesting his life, so many things that he did. I still this just touches my heart. But he was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher devoted new members. Class received several, many recognition. He was a 33rd degree Mason and past Grand Master of the St Mark's Grand Lodge on Gold Street. Wow, he remained affiliated So, and he had long term memberships with our aircraft owners and Pilots Association and international order forestry, the NAACP and Optimist Club, because he was always active. He was a former boy scout master. We worked with Curtis Amy relative, who with the first boy scout, right group that was on the historic west side. Then he was also a little league baseball coach Wow, and a former Board of Director and past president of the West Side federal credit union
Dave Washington 11:17
man he did. And then let me tell you something, you know, I remember, this is right around the time of the disturbance after the Rodney King and you know, some Metro officers, they happen to be white, they decided to do some baseball coaching, and people were in an uproar. And I'm like, man, what is wrong if nobody's going to step up? And your dad obviously was extremely busy, but yet he made time to coach kids. Because I can tell you that I had mentioned earlier about myself and Theo Adams now an ancestor, and how we, along with Lanny Hogan, did coaching, and I had no coaching experience, but I can tell you this today. Guys are going, Hey, Coach, how you doing? How you been coach? I'm like, did I coach you, son, yeah, yeah, that's been 3540 years ago. But yeah, I remember you coaching. You used to make us work out. Used to have us doing all them push ups. I was, I was the physical fitness guy too, as well as I was a medic. I was not a trained, you know, EMT. I knew basic first aid. I knew how to put the pressure. I knew I do CPR, those the very minimum. I knew how to do it. But again, to the point I want, the point that I really want to make about all those things you just described about your dad bad. You'd be wondering, man, where this dude get the energy from because I can tell you, man, I'm telling you to me, when I read it, Ed, I said, this gentleman is a unsung hero. He should, there should be. Now you talk about somebody having school, you know, I know people argue about having schools named after folks. Man, somebody, if they haven't put your dad's name in. Go ahead, my brother,
Ed May Jr. 13:03
I appreciate that. And he was, he was notable boxer in the Navy, also just going back to that time on that at six three, and was a heck of a man, like I said, raised on a farm, but also brilliant he, he ended up getting his construction background while he was in the Navy with a focus on carpentry. And he ended up has all kinds of certifications. He ended up was also a former test site worker and a journeyman carpenter, and he retired member of the of the of the carpenters union, and he held general Foreman's and Superintendent positions. He was the general foreman with the building of Sunrise Hospital when it was first built, when he was working with the birdie right? He also had his own company where he which was em construction, which is in Las Vegas. He was responsible for restoring the nucleus Plaza when we had some unrest on the west side, right, right. And he was also the supervising qualifying employee for the general contractor's license at the Cooper Economic Opportunity board of Clark County man and they had that for many years, that many people didn't realize they were able to do what they did right by using him for his leadership and his license.
Dave Washington 14:35
Let me tell you something again. I just I was talking to my sister needed the other day, and I was telling about this show that I listened to called Karen hunter in class with Dr Greg Carr. This dude has he must have 50,000 books. He got so many books in his recall. And I was telling her, you know what? I don't know if I use most folks, 10 or 15% of our brain, and you can tell all the stuff you. Dad did. He used a significant part of his brain, man, because I'm just sitting here reeling at all the different things that he was able to do. So sometimes we have to keep working at muscle called the brain. And your dad did a good job of his
Ed May Jr. 15:14
Oh, absolutely. And yet, he was such he was such a leader and such a he was so dedicated to serving God, his family, the church, the community, and had a serious love of his country. And he was devoted into instilling values, morals, and he was some of the things he would tell us, like that, myself, my grands, because he had a heck of a lineage that times change, but morals and principles don't right, and we would hear that so often, and as a result, he encouraged about education, and always pushed us to do that, but also made sure that we had respect for every single occupation, everybody that was there. And his, as a result, he now has a lineage that includes doctors. Has includes, you know, I got a niece that's a medical doctor. One's a pharmacist. I mean, all kinds of professions. And it was just one of the things that he also made sure we all understood that we're accountable for our actions and that we could do anything having whether you were male or female, I had all the sisters and one of the things he always made sure, but you have to make that commitment and the dedication to achieve and to be able to, you can't just say, I want it, you have to go out there and do it. And I think that was one of the reasons why I had so many I was blessed and had so many achievements myself, because of my dad, no doubt, and because he he actually kept me grounded and made sure that I also knew that I had a responsibility to give back to my community, but that I didn't let anybody put that feeling up there. And I believe that it existed, that I had to break through whatever it was, and he did that, not only with myself, but with all my sisters, with the neighbors, friends, so many people in the community, so many other contractors he helped get started, right? So many people that went into so many different fields he I mean, it was just so amazing. So many people that he took up on his arm and and helped him once
Dave Washington 17:40
again, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more I have brother Ed. May, he's talking about his dad, it may, who did some tremendous work within our community. Go ahead, Ed,
Ed May Jr. 17:54
yes, and it's just, it's one of those things when I talk about my dad, I said with such pride, but it was one of those that I revere Him. And so many people do that. It's, it's, it's to get an opportunity like this, to be able to just speak about it, and even though I still yearn and miss him so much that, like my family does, right, we were, we were so blessed to have him here for that period. And he was a Star Wars of this community was so responsible. Was truly responsible for making so many inroads right there. It was not one that's that he was about. He was a doer. He was one that that didn't always make a lot of noise, but he was one that was about a lot of action, all right, and and, and every field. So that's that I'm so proud of.
Dave Washington 18:51
Well, as we wrap up here with some closing remarks, let me say this once again Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. In honor of Black History Month, I thought it was appropriate to have someone who has such a legacy as Ed's father, who's done tremendous work within our community. We can't remember that. We can't I say remember. Can't forget those who have worked in our community like his dad did. So some closing remarks, my brother,
Ed May Jr. 19:22
well, first of all, I applaud you, Dave, for taking the time out and to identify different individuals within the community and with your program. That is truly appreciated. I know our community appreciates that, and I'm just blessed to be able to have been the son they can just sort of share what he meant to this community and representing my family, mom, Margie, and just so many friends and family, as many as you know, my family is huge on both sides. Right? Other side. And my dad, many people don't realize that, and but one of the things that he was very emphatic about and taught us the importance of voting, and at this point in time, I'm thinking about all of that. And so even now, when we vote, I mean, it's you don't, we don't tell you how, right? But one of the things he, but he, he tells you the importance of cherishing and knowing how important it is, and we take it seriously as a family. And I'm again, I appreciate this opportunity to be able to share just a little bit today
Dave Washington 20:39
again. All right, take care, my friend.
Dave Washington 20:48
All right, thanks. It may we're back on the other side. Now I'm going to talk about again, continuing in in the vein of honoring Black History Month, I want to talk about the first black firefighters for the city of Las Vegas, and in fact, there was four of them actually came on in 1963 and this is from Dave Washington's perspective. And what I know in terms of what I was informed by each of these individuals over time, and they're all ancestors now, with exception of Otis Harris, and I meant to call and talk to him that they just didn't get around to it. But James Walker, the walker family, James got contacted, and then he turned around and contact Monroe Williams, and they both took the test, and both, uh, were successful in joining Las Vegas fire in June of 1963 and they, they stayed on for a while. In fact, Monroe actually stayed for many, many years. But after them, in December, I was told Larry Powell and Otis Harris. Larry Powell is also an ancestor now, and as I mentioned, Otis is still around. I think he's in his in his 80s, but still maintaining his faculties. Thank God. So I just wanted to acknowledge those guys, because for me and others who have had an opportunity to go through the ranks in the fire department, is because of those trailblazers. And of course, Monroe was a veteran of the Navy, as I recall. In fact, he was a medic and and he did a lot to help the guys on our department as we went into becoming having it as a requirement to become EMTs for our firefighters. So Monroe was instrumental in helping those guys who had no medical background at all. So again, he did a tremendous job in that regard. And Monroe and James, he said, You know what, I think, after about a year, nine months to a year, James said, I'm getting the heck out of here. And he left the department and went into the gaming industry, and he was a went up through the ranks there in gaming and became a casino executive. So we trust that his family, both families, are proud of those guys, and I certainly am, because, once again, is because of the work that they did, and just to to have the opportunity to go. In fact, I'm told that it was the NAACP who kind of forced the action, as they did throughout the country, in terms of helping to get others into public safety, police, fire, etc. And I had the opportunity marsh and I was invited to dinner for his 91st birthday. Lieutenant Wilbur Jackson, who was with Metropolitan Police Department, was at Las Vegas Police Department before when became Metro and I just learned in the past few years, the lieutenant was actually a firefighter in the Air Force here at Nellis Air Force Base. And I guess I would imagine other locations as well, but trailblazing, we must honor those guys and not forget about the work that they did, because be it not for those guys, I would never have gotten the opportunity to serve in the many different positions that I held with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, to include ultimately to become the fire chief, where I spent the last six of my 33 years, and Larry Powell Monroe, if I didn't say Monroe retired as a captain, should have been a chief officer. Larry Powell retired as a chief officer. He was a fire marshal. And I tell people all the time, if you know anything about the fire service, the fire marshal, in my humble opinion, is the second most powerful position to the fire chief, because he has the capacity to dictate a lot of different things that go on, particularly as relate to occupancies, even these huge hotels. But Larry did a great job with Las Vegas fire, and like I said, he moved up through the. Thanks to become an assistant and battalion chief staff level, as I did. I was never a field officer within the within the fire department. All my time was pretty much on the staff side and Otis. I don't recall exactly how long Otis served, but I know he left and went over to, I think it was the Convention and Visitors Authority, if I remember correctly, and several other things that Otis did. Otis also was a a high level business person. He has, he has a lot of knowledge in terms of the various programs that exist for business people of all ethnic groups, and particularly black, and he continues to work in that vein, not at the same level that he did when he was a younger, more healthy man. But again, I just thought it was important that we acknowledge folks who were quote, unquote trailblazers. And in the previous segment, he had talked a lot about his dad and the many things that he did, but I can tell you, as far as Monroe Williams, he was also a real estate broker. And you don't become a real estate broker unless you're pretty doggone smart, because you're leading a group of people, real estate agents, and you're the key person. So in Monroe was one of my one of my key mentors. I tell people, he and Larry were my mentors here on the ground in Las Vegas, and then outside of here, I had Dr Carl Holmes, whom we had the International Association of Black professional firefighters saw fit to name the institute that they had a training institute for firefighters. It is now the Carl Holmes executive development institute, currently housed at Dillard university. When you have people to assist you, you don't forget about them. And also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention two other folks in terms of assisting me, John Ryan, who happens to be white, Al Nero, who happens to be black, I've mentioned him, and I've had them both on the show before, because both of those not knowing each other. They hope, not hoped, but they helped me to move up through the ranks. In fact, I never had put together a resume until they both asked me, Hey, you got a resume when you when you start putting your different accomplishments over the different job positions that you've held within an organization, you get to see a real good picture of yourself. So thanks to those guys, and I compliment them all the time that they put me on the right track. So just wanted to acknowledge, from a historical standpoint, these pioneers who paved the way for me and others. And as I had mentioned, as we prepare to close out, I did the in the earlier part of the show. I did the condolences, and I failed to mention Mary Carr, who passed away, and her services will be on March 2. Mary Carr, that's the wife of Dr Carr, Carrie Carr, and Marsha reminded me of that. So once again, Las Vegas, I just appreciate the opportunity to be here, and I hope that you get an opportunity, particularly you veterans out there. West kind of coached me through making an announcement that I'll be doing over the next few months. Thanks to Jason. He thought it'd be good for me to to be like the voice of veterans for various issues and opportunities that they may have and activities that are going on in the in the valley here. So once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. And one thing I didn't mention with respect to Jesse Jackson, I don't, I don't think I mentioned it, and that is that when he ran for office, I was an officer. So as a consequence, I was in the command booth with with a number of others at Cashman field and a one of our ancestors, Lawrence Wycliffe. He was in the field because he was a medic. He was a captain and a medic. So he got the ride with the entourage while I was up in the booth, looking down. But hey, once again, just wanted to acknowledge some of the pioneers who trailed the blazes for us, who are currently still operating. And as you guys know, I'm having a birthday party coming up, and I'm going to raise some funds for three different organizations. Once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. And I appreciate Wes how he keeps my butt on track. You you.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai