BARRY LEDET:  

I was born at a young age....a poor black child. Born on the bayou....Born on the bayou... Moved to Washington State after hurricane Camilla sunk our houseboat on Bayou Blue in the early 60's. My Daddy was Frank "Frenchy Ledet, and he ran the mill at D & R Cedar in Marysville for decades. He also became Governor of the Moose Lodge.He was a legend at both. My sweet Mother was a homemaker, and a fine woman who taught me compassion for people, and gave me my love for music and drama. I joined the Air Force after graduating, and left as an NCO and the Mess Sargent at the Nellis AFB hospital. I was rewarded for my service, and left to join the Ministry in a church in Las Vegas as Christian Education Coordinator. Well...that was short lived! I took any job I could find and it was washing dishes at the Aladdin Hotel. Then I found a job thru the Teamster Union on a loading dock, and I busted my ass. The Boss took notice and hired me permanently, and I worked my way up the old fashioned way. I left town twenty years later as an Executive Salesman, specializing in restaurant design and supply.The biggest hotel casinos were my friends and clients, and getting hotel rooms, show passes, meals at great restaurants, or gambling markers, were done with a phone call or signature. I was young and naive and really didn't yet con...Expand for more