First to Reach Three Stars

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00

First to Reach Three Stars

Gen. Frank Petersen - credit: Skip Coblyn, National Visionary Leadership Project

One of the military officers on stage supporting Barack Obama at the Democratic Convention was Gen. Frank Petersen, a decorated veteran and the first African American general in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Frank grew up in segregation and broke the race barrier at each major step in his career - from first black Marine aviator to first black general. He talks with Dick Gordon about the racism he faced along the way, and what it was like to spend so many years as the first.

Now that Obama has been elected president, Frank ventures a few suggestions for the president-elect.

Find out more about Gen. Petersen and other African American pioneers at The National Visionary Leadership Project

Rabbi Maestro

Moshe Cotel loved music so much that he wrote his first symphony at the age of 13. He ultimately left home and became a composer. One day an unlikely meeting set him on a new path and he became a rabbi. Moshe thought he had left music for good, but recently he has found a way to weave together his two passions.

Find out more about Rabbi Cotel

Special Note: Rabbi Cotel passed away after this interview was recorded.

The Story from American Public Media - First to Reach Three Stars

First to Reach Three Stars

First to Reach Three Stars

Rabbi Maestro