The Reading Glass Magazine (LATFOB 2024 Edition)

32 | THE READING GLASS MAGAZINE
MANNY SOU
PASSING THROUGH:
Exploring the Envelope, Part One
In the annals of history, there are tales that
transcend the ordinary and narratives that echo
with divine intervention. Such is the story of
Captain Manny Sousa, a veteran of the United IStates Navy, whose life unfolds like a testament to
God’s guiding hand.
Born into an Army family during the turbulence of the
Great Depression, Manny Sousa’s journey traversed
the tumult of the 20th century’s defining conflicts.
From the crucible of World War II to that of the Cold
War, his path was etched with duty and sacrifice.
Commissioned as a Navy Ensign in 1956, Manny
embarked on a career that would intertwine with the
fate of nations. As a naval aviator, he soared into
the skies aboard carrier-based aircraft, bearing the
responsibility of weapons capable of reshaping history.
The Vietnam War cast its long shadow over Manny’s
service, as he piloted F-4 Phantoms and A-7 Corsair
II’s into the heart of the conflict. Amidst the cauldron
of combat, he logged over 300 missions, a testament to
his courage and resolve.
32 | READING GLASS BOOKS