Standard Bank Blog

Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May; it typically marks the beginning of summer and because it is a federally observed holiday, many have the day off and take the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. 

Memorial Day is more than the start of summer, more than a three-day weekend or a backyard barbeque.  It's a day of remembrance - a day to remember and pay homage to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen who lost their lives defending our nation.

Today is a very solemn and sobering day for many of us.  It is a day where we look back and remember the friends and family members prematurely taken.  Take for instance the final letter sent to Army Command Sergeant Major James Blankenbecler, from his 14-year-old daughter, Jessica just days after he was killed in Iraq.

‘Hi Daddy, sorry I haven’t written to you in a while. I miss you so much. How have you been? Is heaven everything it says it is? I know it’s probably that and more. I can’t wait till I can come join you again.

I have your military ring on now. It’s kind of big for my little finger, but it makes me feel you’re holding my hand when I have it on…It’s been on since we found out the news.

I began my career in banking as a result of buying my first home.  I was referred by a family member to a mortgage broker in order to apply for a loan.  Being a first-time homebuyer and not knowing what to expect, coupled with the fact that as it turns out, the mortgage broker was more interested in a commission than me; the process wasn’t enjoyable to say the least.  Fortunately for me, I went with another mortgage lender that walked me through the loan process, from start to finish.  Not long after moving into that home, it came to me, there are a lot of Veteran’s out there just like me buying their first home; and they could benefit from having one of their own, committed to walking them through the process.  So, after serving in the Marine Corps, Infantry, and majoring in Political Science in school; on a whim, I applied for a home lending position with a bank.  Needless to say, I got that job and thus began my career in banking.  Over the years, I had the opportunity to help many individuals and families buy their first home, refinance their existing home and help them achieve their financial goals.