THE COLONEL'S CHRONICLE

THE COLONEL'S CHRONICLE 

❧ 

A Black Warrior's Memoir of Faith, Service, and Dignity 

Preface 

Please allow me to introduce you to my friend and mentor, John C. Scott, Lt. Col., USAF (ret). He is known as Colonel to the residents and staff of the assisted living facility in which he is currently residing. Colonel Scott turned 85 on January 31st, 2026. He was one of the first people I got to know when I moved to Steubenville in 2005. I saw him at daily Mass before which he led the Rosary every day. I saw his wife, Mary, a few times but sadly did not get to know her very well before she passed away of Pancreatic Cancer in 2014.  

I love hearing his war stories because I also served in the Air Force for 20 years. Over the years I got to know the high points of his life story and since he moved into the assisted living facility, in Weirton, West Virginia, right across the river from my home in Steubenville, Ohio, I began visiting him every Monday morning. After enjoying so many of his amazing stories, I suggested that we capture some of them so they could be shared. That idea has grown into this memoir.