Melvin Roberts:
CLASS OF 1978
Willingboro High SchoolClass of 1978
Willingboro, NJ
Martin L. King High SchoolClass of 1975
Philadelphia, PA
Roosevelt Junior High SchoolClass of 1974
Philadelphia, PA
Fitler Elementary SchoolClass of 1973
Philadelphia, PA
Pastorious Elementary SchoolClass of 1968
Philadelphia, PA
Melvin's Story
Life
Hey Peeps! Yes I'm alive and well and very much Kicking, yes I'm still a "Kung Fu nut" After moving to Willingboro NJ from Germantown (Philly) Graduated high school. I went Navy, first stationed in "Great Mistakes" Illinois for boot, Met Jerry Brownlee, danced at the Helm Club then Cali aboard the USS Coral Sea, Alameda Ca. Home of the Dragon Palace. San Diego where I attended Radioman "A" school., where I met Bonnie Ross and Gina Chavez! *Sigh* Travelled the WESTPAC cruise twice, Met Janet and Della, got out the "NAV" in '82 and went home to Willingboro NJ, met Karen, finally got my blackbelt in '83, got married and moved to Philadelphia in '87, started teaching and competing in Martial arts, joined the Police dept in '90, Divorced in'96, I have two beautiful kids. '97 started travelling the country competing nationally in martial arts tournaments NBL circuit. I toured nationally with Team Smash Int'l for 3 years around the country as a triple threat in forms, weapons and fighting. I've been currently training in as well as teaching Wushu which you can think of as modern Sport Kung fu, . I've finally developed an appreciation for Tai Chi Chuan in my old age. I still fight competitively. Just recently represented with TeamUSA in Toronto facing TeamCANADA in point fighting pointstickfighting and forms competition. We brought home the World Cup. I also formed a Chinese Liondance team which I"m the drummer, choreographer and TeamCapt. We entertain at large dinner parties etc. When I'm not doing all that you can try to find me at the movies, home websurfing, or goofing around with the playstation2 with my son, my guitar, bass, or harmonica. Since 2011 I play blues harmonica on stage at local pubs and open mics.
School
I was in the first class when Pastorius elementary first opened in Philly, also the annex across the street behind the Catholic school by 4th grade(I had a sadistic teacher there!)Back then we walked home for lunch which seems strange now that I think about it. I remember bussing to Fitler for 5th and 6th from Pastorius. Missing the bus and walking all the way there but that was fun! Mrs Weinberg and Mr. Broderick were excellant teachers. Recesses were great. Swimming in gym class by walking to this new school on Wayne ave. that had an indoor heated pool. Visiting Germantown Friends school. Roosevelt Middle school trying to get used to going to different classrooms in "periods", being chased home by the "bad boys" every day. Free lunch tickets, William Swain, Mrs. Solo (My perso...Expand for more
nal fav), Mrs. Keels (She was so fine!) Going to my first
school dance. Founding member of the karateclub (Been doing this a loooong time!)with Mr. Glen Ford. Dwayne Conyers and inventing the weapon known as the "Klackitor" April Martin was my first crush. Martin Luther King high school. Living in Haines St territory but having to walk thru Somerville territory to go to school! (Like to see y'all try somethng now punks!) *LOL* I remember Treva Corley. Moving away from Philly and starting a new life in Willingboro New Jersey. Attending a brand new school, being the first class to fully "Break it in! all 3 years" Lake Dudek, the long walk to school and back from Pennypacker. The Drama club musicals were the best fun and the parties afterwards. Norman Taylor, Amy Godfrey, Linda Solo etc. Disco dancing by 77-78 (I ruled!) Friends too numerous to name them all.
Military
I attended boot in Great "Mistakes"
Illinois. Summer '78 Co.#190, My CC was William "Big Red" Henry. I returned for BEE School Fall that same year into the famous winter and Snowstorm of '78. The Movie Holloween was just realeased I came of the theater and one of the fiercest snow storms I ever saw hit!I remember dancing my ass off at the Helm club nearly every night I could. Trained TaeKwondo on base, hitchhiking all the way to the Playboy club (Remember those?) in Lake Geneva Wisconsin to fight and win at my first major Martial arts tournament, the big snow storm hit. Got my orders to Cali and sent to the USS Coral Sea CV-43 from '79-'82 Striking as a Radioman. WESTPAC on "Camel Station" and the "Iranian thing" Crossing the Equator and the Shellback initiation. Pattaya was the best! Lonnie, Earnest, Mckelvy
Kennedy,Mcgarvey, Kiraly, Green (My Sea Daddy) & Yeoman Watley were some of the best mates to have. "A" School in NTC San Diego was some of the best time in my enlistment,Dancing at the Ship's Bell (I ruled!)Training karate on base with Lana, KIm ,Kelly and Elizabeth. I had to leave some time huh? The Karate group that trained in the Forecastle onboard and we all fought each other when trying to set up to fighting a team from another carrier fell through. Bar b q's on the flight deck. The 2nd group that formed by the was more of a school led by Drexal Heard. The fastest right hand I've ever seen. Clubbing at the Dragon Palace in Alameda as well as going into "The city" at Studio West! The military was a different world back then huh? In 2003 I ran into an old shipmate of mine RMC Mike Kennedy and most recently RM1 Mike Marchese.
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