By Christine Baldwin, Librarian

Sam Graham was born in Alabama, but moved to Florida as a young child. After leaving high school, he joined the U.S. Army in 1948 and went to Basic Training in Fort Dix, NJ. Afterwards, he was immediately sent to Japan. He was stationed there as the Korean War started. Sam also served in Germany, Vietnam and France. His best station was in Croix Chapeau, France where he served in Special Services and had four installations that he was in charge of. Sam received the Army Letter of Commendation for his service in Vietnam. Sam retired from Boston in 1968, where he was an advisor for the Army Reserves.

Sam stayed in Massachusetts, graduated from Bristol Community College, and became a senior computer operator at the State Street Bank, where he retired in 1988. In his next career, Sam started the Reliable Bus Lines in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Sam was able to keep the business running and even growing during a huge recession. His accomplishments earned him the 1988 Black Achiever Award sponsored by the Greater Boston YMCA and Chamber of Commerce. Sam was a community activist and he helped form the United Front Corporation to provide more public housing in the community.

Sam came to AFRH-W in 2013. He came because it provided peace of mind for him and his family.