Interviewed by:

Allie Bezio and Siri Lindberg

"We can live together; everybody bleeds ‘cause everybody's human. Treat humans like humans."

~ Robert Linton Jr. (14:03)

Robert Linton's Story:

Robert Linton Jr. never wanted to be in the military, but he is a hero none-the-less. Rob was born in Cambridge, MA and drafted directly out of high school to serve in the fight against Vietnam. So he wouldn't have to fight on the frontline he transferred into the Air Force, and trained at the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was appointed as a security policeman and spent most of his time in his first year studying for this position. Because of this he was awarded early with his stripes and eventually became and Air Force Senior Airman. He was sent to a base in Vietnam, but the airplane he was on changed course in midair and brought him to Korea. Rob saw many other fascinating and unusual places while serving, such as Thailand, Guam, Vietnam, and Spain.

Rob was a Black Panther and was inspired to make a change in his community by famous activists such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X . He doesn't believe that fighting and killing are the way to solve problems and continues to be an advocate for peace. Rob worked as a substance abuse counselor after returning home from the service and set out to help people, specifically other veterans, who had fallen onto hard times. Rob is now retired but continues to work as a basketball, soccer and softball coach for Wellfleet recreation, and is beloved by all the kids he coaches. He has two daughters and a son, two grand kids, and a girlfriend, Michelle. He recently won his battle with lymphoma and continues to be famous in Wellfleet for his trademark fist bump greeting.