I remember it had to be about 1998 or 97, somewhere around that time frame.  I was a student at Ft. Valley State University.  I needed somewhere to complete my practicum and decided that I wanted to work with the military.  Well, I didn't have enough sense to know proper protocol, so I just decided I would go to COL Pugh's office and ask him if I could do my practicum there.  His secretary must have thought that I was crazy because she asked me did I have an appointment, I said, "no."  She said does he know you are coming?  I said, "no."  Does he know you?  I said, "no."  She shook her head and called him and said, "someone is here to see you."  I heard her say, "I don't know."  He came out and called me to the back.  Some people would not have done that, (time too valuable, they are too important, I don't know her or her parents.)  He didn't know me, I didn't have a name for myself and I didn't have parents with "clout"  who's name I could call.  It didn't matter to him.  He talked to me about my education, what I needed to do and if I EVER needed anything, let him know.  He didn't even know me.  I took him at his word.  When I needed ANYTHING, he was there to help.  Even if it were just making a phone call for me.  When he asked me to do something which usually meant leaving the office with a box of flyers or making calls to see if people needed a ride to the polls, I would do it.  He always had something he would sit me down and talk to me about.  He was for the greater good of people.  He taught me about "The Crab Mentality," he made me read the "Willie Lynch Letter" and taught me several life lessons that I will never forget, but most of all, he took me under his wing and never let go.  He meant so much to me, but Mrs. Pugh asked me just to never forget what he taught me and what he stood for.  I will never forget how great of a man he was.  I know he is resting in peace in Abraham's bossom.

First of all, Reggie is one of the worst drivers I know and he always drove when TDY.  We were lost in Chicago traveling on the Dan Ryan Expressway and he decided to pull up next to a cab on the expressway to asked for direction.  The cab driver didn't speak English and Reggie was trying to talk to him while driving.  We survived and I promise never to ride with him again. Of course we had to another TDY and he picked me up at my home in Columbia 0130 for a conference that  started at 0800 that day.  Reggie did it to me again!!!