Jack Armstrong

My hero is my dad. His name is Jack Armstrong. He is my hero because he is a fun and outgoing person. Dad defines “hero” by working and making income to support his kids. He is a hero for other reasons too. He helps me with homework, problems and others. Dad is a good example of a hero.

Jackie Armstrong was born October 6, 1964 in Andrews, Texas. Born to William “Jiggs” and Oveda Armstrong. Jack’s own hero was his father. ”I had a good childhood,” he said. A thing Jack remembers from his childhood is to get on his bike and be gone all day. He graduated from Andrews High School. After high school he went to West Texas AM. He was on a baseball and tennis scholarship. Jack later had to drop out because they got rid of some sports including baseball and tennis. Jack decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He worked in Andrews for a year. He was finally called up and was more nervous then he thought.

Jack was stationed in San Diego, California. Jack recalls it vividly. The drill instructors were hard on him and others. Jack stayed in boot camp for several months. After boot camp things got a little easier. Jack then was qualified to be a Marine Corps sniper after training. He was sent to Panama. Jack and the others were sent to rescue some Prisoners Of War, or P.O.W. Jack stayed in Panama several months. The Marines saved the people. The trip was filled with warfare. Jack got to go back home to America. After his fourth year in the service Jack decided not to reenlist. He wanted to settle down and have a family.

Jack worked in Los Angeles in the sheriff's department for a while. He then went back to his hometown, Andrews, Texas. It was good to be home. He was living with his dad. Jack moved to Odessa saying that there was no work in Andrews. Jack met my mom Amy Demoss and married her. Amy already had a girl from a previous marriage. Dad acted as if he were Mackenzie’s real dad. Jack and Amy had a kid, it was me. Dad said he was really proud. ”You never know true love until you have kids.” My dad says that sometimes. Mom and dad had another kid, my little brother. We all moved to Aztec, New Mexico. It was a small town outside of Farmington. Jack started working for Cudd Pressure Control in the oilfield (he had been working for the company a few years before he had kids). The hours were long. He had little free time. Over 100 hours a week. He worked liked this for 14 years (he had been working for the company a few years before he had kids). Jack is currently working for Gray Wireline as a salesman. My mom and dad divorced in around 2005. Dad has normal working hours now. He is almost a regular guy.

I picked my dad as my hero because of his good actions and qualities. Which is exactly what makes a hero. What a coincidence. He has been working the same job for a long time. He still works hard. Dad loves kids. He treats everyone right. He is a good dad. He tries not to show his anger too much. He can be pretty patient. That's why I picked him. Jack Armstrong is a person who definitely deserves the admiration.