Greater Purpose: Honor, Commitment, Loyalty, Servant Leadership, and Love of Life
(James C. Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer and President honoring the 2018 President's Servant Leadership The Hon. Phillipa Johnson)
There is a master plan in our lives. While we may avoid the journey for the purpose or destiny of our lives, We all know many in their walk of life are sources of the brightest role models. In 2018, the theme for the year given to Fathers and Families Coalition of America is Greater Purpose that we use our national conference with so many talented individuals as well as closing tribute to honor others. In the past, we honored so many others such as Gladys Knight, Mr. Cedric "the Entertainer," Honorable Janet Napolitano, and others who tirelessly served their communities not limited to but just a few:
Hon. John S. Martinez, Charlene Lewis Meeks, Raymond Capper, Stanely Siederman and of course so many honorees to include those who gave pieces of their lives and bodies for our nation as Wounded Warriors. Couples of Excellence we have honored to include marriages that lasted 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 plus years and this one special couple of over 70 years. Wow, you cannot understand the "feeling of love" with this two elders basking in the glory of their love as a story for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren as they took the microphone in a youthful manner and as happy as they could be declaring love for over 70 years as he serenaded to his bride in Spanish and even those who could not understand the words they knew the language of true love.
We have been blessed with many entertainers, and one that used his saxophone in the language of love was the international artist Marion Meadows. He wrote this particular song for Ms. Charlene Lewis-meeks who was fighting breast cancer and ultimately went to rest for eternity. But the commitment to Fathers and Families Coalition of America by so many people like Marion is humbling. What many did not know that night he flew from a considerable distance from Oman to Los Angeles that was over 8,600 miles to play his gift for her and others with a particular song for Dr. Herschel Swinger.
The words that come to mind when thinking of those from the past is the commitment as servant leaders, passion in their purpose, empathy for others, continuous learning to give away in teaching/modeling for others and a joyful presence that embraced life, even in the midst of challenges.
For the 2018 national conference it was so unique for me to honor a couple from Houston, Texas and not because of overcoming a hurricane tragedy, but a disaster no parent wants to encounter. Larry and Molly Savala honored in celebration of their 40-years of marriage. They also came to celebrate with a son, a brother, and an uncle Larry Jr. who had is life taken by gun violence as an innocent young college student just talking with his friends but the assailant was in the moment void of compassion recklessly using a gun as weapon of his anger that took Larry Jr. into eternal resting and restless loss for others. However, the power of love kept the Savala Family and call it what you choose but it was a blessing to see the love of the junior's mom and dad persevering through the affliction of pain as an example for others the power of overcoming.
So, before going too much more from the past, let me share the 2018 honorees starting with my friend, an executive officer and servant leader that when awarded wanted us to honor others... The Honorable Phillipa Johnson as the 2018 Servant Leadership Honoree. We acknowledged the National John S. Martinez Leadership Awardee to the effervescent, courageous, caring and dynamic Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Our Couples of Excellence and Fathers of the Year Awardees included:
2018 COUPLES OF EXCELLENCE
- Mr. & Mrs. Larry and Molly Savala
- Mr. & Mrs. Banjamin and Karen Wade
- Mr. & Mrs. Darrel and Malaika Evans
- Mr. & Mrs. Frank and Molly Carbajal
- Bishop and Mrs. Frank and Sandra Stewart
- Apostle and Mrs. Hugo and Yolanda Martinez
- Dr. Randal and Manal Henry
- Mr. Raymond and Dina Rivera
- Mr. Timothy and Travonne Mosely
2018 FATHERS OF THE YEAR
- Mr. DC Dunkel
- Mr. Ayinde Bomani
- Mr. Terrel Jenkins
- Mr. Lamont Thorton
- Mr. Dallas Moon
- Mr. Jerome Carter
FATHERS AND FAMILIES COALITION AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
Communiity Fathers, Inc. of Schenectady, New York
These are just a few examples of what signing up for our national conference and becoming a member is more than an event but a feeling. The feeling of gratitude as if the vast universe ends for an experience with millions of stories as the mass stars but these honorees' life journies is centered on commitment, honor, respect, appreciation, and love.
2018 GALA PHOTO ALBUM 308 PHOTOS OF LIFE, LOVE, HONOR, AND FUN
Check out our past but join us in 2019 the future!
