THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606070190
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 20 QUESTIONS
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 75 lines
Staff Sgt. Robert C. Anderson is one of those ``few good men'' the Marine Corps seeks.
For 2 1/2 years, he has been seeking other good men - and women - from his headquarters at the Recruiting Command in Holland Plaza Shopping Center.
``I joined the Marines because I wanted something different,'' Anderson said.
Born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., he said: ``My friends there had gotten into trouble. If I'd stayed home, that probably would have affected me because I would have been in contact with them.''
But, he said, ``I had discipline,'' and the Marines refined it. ``A recruiter told me he could show me the way,'' he said. ``Now, I'm using that line.''
His mother did not want him to join, he said, ``but now, when I go home, she shows me off.''
His father was in the Army, two aunts were Air Force officers, a cousin was in the Navy, and an uncle and cousin were in the Marines.
Anderson, 33, served in the Persian Gulf War and has earned 13 ribbons.
At Camp Pendleton, Calif., he was a chef and a health inspector. During off-duty time, he played on a Corps football team.
Anderson is married to the former Angela Ward of Suffolk. The couple have a daughter.
What brought you here: Choice of the Marine Corps to keep me from being a chef, and achieving goals I set for myself.
Fondest childhood memory: Going to the movies with all my cousins.
Pets: Lots of stuffed teddy bears.
First job/worst job: Counselor at a youth camp. Janitor at Dunkin Donuts.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? Drill instructor.
What's your favorite hangout? The high schools for recruiting - Nansemond River, Lakeland, Franklin, Southampton.
Favorite night out on the town: A movie and dinner with my wife, followed by a walk on the beach.
Favorite food/drink: Pizza, Dr Pepper, water.
Favorite movies/TV show: ``Malcolm X.'' ``Living Single.''
Book you wish everyone would read: ``The Autobiography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.''
Ideal vacation: A romantic, warm, breezy night on a tropical island, looking at the stars, with my wife and daughter.
I can't resist: Cheesecake, sports, slow songs.
Few people know that I: Like to spend quality time with others who are less fortunate than myself.
Most embarrassing moment: As a junior in high school, going to football camp, the seniors made us eat Oreo cookies that had toothpaste inside instead of the cream filling.
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? I would donate a portion to help the elderly and homeless people. I'd buy my mother a beautiful home so she could retire in peace.
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? When I was a senior at John F. Kennedy High in New York, my counselor, Mr. Jones, told me to stop being a clown, take charge of my life and make my parents proud of me.
What is the best thing about yourself? Listening to young adults and finding out if I can help them with anything in life.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would you be and why? The president of the United States. I've seen a lot of problems with our youth and elderly citizens. I feel I would be able to reach out to them and help them with their problems.
What achievements are you most proud of? When I joined the Marines, then graduated from Platoon 3068 H Company, Aug. 17, 1984. I was a Marine - officially.
Something you wish to say but haven't: People can accomplish any task or goal if they put their mind to it. Everyone is put on this Earth to achieve greatness. Never let anyone stop you from attaining a goal.
Through hard work and a firm belief in God, all things can be achieved. Stay strong, stay motivated, because us old folks are counting on the younger guys and gals to lead us into glory. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER by CNB