Aug 29, 2008 6:55 pm US/Eastern
Marylander Addresses The DNC In Denver
PASADENA, Md. (WJZ) ―
There were many Marylanders in Denver for the Democratic National Convention.
But only one man got to tell his story to millions from Maryland.
Kai Jackson reports one of the proudest moments of Joy Moore's life was the day her son Westley Moore spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
"You know it was like one of those surreal moments, you know where just we were talking and then all of a sudden I heard his voice, and I turned around and said, 'He's on,'" said Joy.
Wes, a 29-year-old captain in the army, was recruited to speak by the Obama campaign because of his record of achievement at such a young age.
Wes grew up in Pasadena. When he started getting into trouble as a teen, his mother sent him to military school.
That move paid off. Wes loved military life. When he transferred to Johns Hopkins from a two-year college, he was already a second lieutenant in the army.
Wes' mom says her son is a scholar, an athlete, an officer and a gentleman.
"When he first went to Iraq, his grandparents gave him a Bible. And in it, in the front page, was written the words have faith, not fear," said Joy.
Joy's husband died at the age of 32 when Wes was only four-years-old. She had the tough job of raising Wes and his two sisters by herself.
Wes became the first African-American Rhodes Scholar from Hopkins. He met Chelsea Clinton at Oxford and later her parents.
"He wants to make a difference. He wants to help people have better lives, better communities," said Joy.
"That's something that I really try to drive with my life," said Wes.
Despite personal success, his mother says Wes is focused on service.
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