Apollo High School

faced with mosquitoes with malaria, Camel Spiders (deadly spiders the size of softballs), iguanas the size of Cocker Spaniels, aggressive scorpions, and Sand Flies ( which are poisonous flies that spread a disease that rots your skin). But Neil spent a whole year in Iraq! That’s 365 days without electricity, plumbing, and just sleeping in tents. Also, the severe weather conditions of 160 of up to degrees in the summer, that only cool down to about 90 degrees in the winter.

Neil has been in the army for 8 years, and to him it 's more a way of life.Board has had many experiences people here in Owensboro don’t get, like riding on camels and donkeys.“I got to see a completely different world.” Women wore full face masks and you could only see their eyes, and women were treated second rate, as though they were less than men, instead of equals. The only thing the male and females had in common was that everyone wore sandals, and choices were black and white."

Something that shocked him the most was the sheer amount of raw violence. "Being there almost a year," he said, " it just wasn’t something you could get used to." A rollercoaster of emotions, Board knew that he couldn’t let his guard down for a moment.
Another thing that was different were the difference in classes.There would be a palace with gold fixtures, worth millions! Down the road there would be hundreds of homeless people starving! He said the best part of his job was getting to see their faces when they were given certain pleasures we take for granted, like food!.

Neil has earned the respect of many. So be like Neil, and the next time you see someone down on their luck, try helping them out!