Standing in the Shadows of War

It was while in the Veteran's Hospital in Bay Pines, Florida that Cedric was taught how to properly put his thoughts on paper through journaling. Therefore, while in Bay Pines, he began journaling about his experiences in the Gulf War. “Standing in the Shadows of War” is the result. Cedric’s goal is to tell his story and inspire today's Soldiers to write their story, in hopes of perhaps preventing a few Ex-Military men and women from going down the same destructive path that he and so many others did while readjusting to civilian life.During his time in the military, Cedric never forgot the things that his Grandmother, Mrs. Leanna LaRue, back in Lufkin, Texas had taught him as a child growing up. For example, she taught him to memorize the Lord's Prayer, and also how important it was to attend and participate in Church activities. She told him many great Bible Stories, and during Cedric’s time in the Gulf War, she would send him letters and care packages, and never forgot to mention “read your Bible everyday”. ‘Aunt Dee’, as she was called, was Cedric’s biggest supporter, and he made several trips over the years back to Lufkin to visit Mrs. LaRue (Aunt Dee) until her death at the age of 99 in 2011.
Cedric currently resides in South Carolina and continue to write, paint and is active in group therapy through the Savannah, Georgia Veterans Center. Also, he continue art lessons at the Savannah Veterans Outpatient Clinic. He Is a member of the Beaufort Art Association Studio and attend classes taught by Professional Artists, Kenneth Martin and Margi Hershey.