My Tribute to Rex Danzey
My Words to a Fellow Veteran and Former Teammate
To: Rex Danzey
Hey there, my cousin/friend. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come since those high school basketball days—running through Girard for our conditioning drills, sharing victories by busting the clock, and pushing each other to become better players at the park in Girard. You and I even got into a fight, in which you got the best of me. I am carrying those memories with me, just as I carry the pride of standing beside you as a fellow veteran. One thing I can say about our generation is that it was not about whether you were going to join the military; it was when you were going to join. Today, can you believe that the number of recruiters is less than 1% of the total number of eligible ones who can serve? You and I have come a long way.
Family and Friends:
My most memorable moment of Rex was during my last year in high school, when our team won 29 games and lost 6. We made it to the semifinal in the state playoffs in Tuscaloosa. In one particular game during that season, I don’t remember who we were playing, but Rex outplayed everyone that night and scored 40 points. Can you believe 40 points without a three-pointer? You see, we had no three-point line in our days in high school, but Rex’s game was sweet. He had an unstoppable midrange jumper. I can see him now, cutting through the paint, asking for the ball with that spin around move, releasing the ball, and hitting nothing but nets. Now, if my memory serves me correctly, I cannot think of anyone else at Abbeville High who scored more than 40 points in a game in the ’70s and ’80s.
Through every challenge—on the hardwood and in service—created experiences that led to lessons. The lessons we learned on that court—teamwork, resilience, and never giving up—guided Rex and me through much more than just the game. I’m grateful for those early days and even more grateful for the journey we’ve shared as veterans. Those experiences created the brotherhood that we share. As for Rex, whose government name is Willie Durette Danzey achieved the following achievements in the Army as an infantryman:
Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
Army Commendation Medal (four awards)
Army Achievement Medal (four awards)
Army Good Conduct Medal (five awards)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ three bronze service stars
Humanitarian Service Medal
Rex retired at the rank of E-7, Sergeant First Class, a senior non-commissioned officer.
After Rex’s retirement, we unexpectedly met at the Dollar Store, where he began sharing how to access veterans' benefits. Why? Rex understood that we both had a life of duty, selfless service, honor, integrity, courage, resilience, loyalty, and commitment, which created tangible benefits for a military veteran, and he wanted me to know how to obtain them. Thank you, Rex!
And most of all, thank you for serving, for being a teammate, and for constantly reminding me what true camaraderie means. I’m proud to call you both a teammate and a brother in arms.
Here’s to us, and to all the games—past, present, and future, because I know there is a court in heaven for you to show off your turnaround jumper.
