LEGALMAN PROJECT UPDATE
By Renee S. Mazzeo
Since 2006, our association has been supporting military paralegals stationed overseas in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since that time, we have sent 32 care packages to military paralegals and/or legal administrators. PAP’s involvement with this project has been very successful and fulfilling. However, it would not be successful without the continued contributions from our members. As PAP’s coordinator for the Legalman Project, I would personally like to thank everyone for their past donations and support of this project.
Our last legalman (and for the most part, the legalman we supported the longest) was Manny Molina who returned home back in April 2008. Manny was highlighted in a previous issue of The Forum as well as ALA News. He had two replacements but they went home shortly after him. We wanted to continue to support the location in Afghanistan and was advised that Scott C. Mendoza was next to fill the position. Scott has provided us with photographs and some background information. Please meet our newest legalman:
Scott C. Mendoza: Scott was born and raised in Germany to an American father and a German mother. His father was career Army and spent the majority of his career at various installations in Germany. This allowed Scott and his family to pretty much live in one place. He graduated from German school and then attended one year in a DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependents School) High School to also obtain an American High School Diploma. After that he left Germany and returned to the United States. He enlisted in the Air Force as a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning apprentice but got tired of that quickly. He had four deployments in less than 6 years. Once he got to his first duty station in New Mexico, he quickly started attending college classes through Wayland Baptist University and finally earned his undergrad in Justice Administration. He married a Houston native in 2003 and on February 23, 2008 had their first child, Ethan. As far as the future goes, he does intend on separating from the military after his commitment is over. At that time, he plans on seeking employment on the federal law enforcement level. He played with the idea of law school but quickly abandoned it.
It has been sometime since we requested donations for this project from our members. However, our supplies are dwindling and I would ask at this time that we start donating items again. The list of requested items follows this article. Thank you for your continued support.
Suggested items for donation |
