Phil grew up in a very poor family a very poor town. It was pretty bad. Phil and his sisters didn't have enough to and went to bed hungry. That was okay Phil though because that was his life, and thought it was just the way everybody in world lived.

Phil had a lot of fun had many friends. It wasn't until Phil was 12 years old that he began to realize there were better things out there in the . Phil and his best friend Albert would sit and talk about getting out of this place see the world. It was a fantasy, but was a good fantasy. They really didn't know they would do it, but they had a . Then one day Phil's cousin Ralphie came to .

Phil didn't know Ralphie very well. Ralphie grew in Texas and was about 8 years older Phil. It had been years since Phil saw cousin. That day Ralphie changed Phil's life. Ralphie into the house wearing his Marine Corp uniform, Phil knew at that moment that he wanted become a Marine.

Phil and Ralphie talked all long. Ralphie told him all about the Corp Phil was fascinated. Ralphie was wearing his medals awards, and his uniform was so neat and that Phil wanted to join at that moment. years later, Phil enlisted in the Marines. He 17 and needed his mom's permission. His mom "Where do I sign?" Of course she was , but she knew Phil was going to do . It was his way out of this place, she gave him her blessings. The day Phil , he promised his mom he would be back. kept his promise. He came back several times the years, and helped his family as much he could.