Robert Allen Mansfield was born on January 28th, 1971 in Philadelphia to a heroin addict mother who put him up for adoption. He spent his first two years in foster care before being adopted by the Mansfield family.
Life growing up in the Mansfield home was challenging for Robert. His relationship with his adopted-father was rocky and both physically and emotionally abusive. Robert began running away from home and was finally removed from the Mansfield home after a concerned neighbor stepped in to help the then twelve year old Robert.
Robert was sent back into the foster care system for the remainder of his childhood. It was at the Children's Home of Easton where Robert first became interested in writing and learning how to give public speeches. His natural ability to engage a crowd earned him the nick-name The Politician among his peers at the home. In spite of being elected Student Council President at Wilson Area High School, Robert became disenchanted with the public school system; he would skip school and volunteer at the local hospital. In 1989, at his first opportunity, Robert registered to vote as a Republican.
In 1990, Robert was given the opportunity to meet his biological family. He learned that his biological parents and brother had been tragically killed. Things were going down hill for Robert in Easton, so he decided to move to Philadelphia for a fresh start. But Robert didn't find success in Philadelphia, only difficulty and living on the streets. In 1996, while living with his adopted mother he joined the Army National Guard. He served his country while trying to maintain odd jobs and start his own financial firm, R. Allen Associates.
In 1991, things started to change for Robert. He earned his GED and accepted Jesus Christ into his life. He continued his religious studies in 1996 when he began studying Reformation Theology which led him to his confirmation in the Reformation Episcopal Church.
After re-enlisting in the Army National Guard in 2005, Robert volunteered to serve in Iraq. Then in December of 2006 he was deployed to Iraq. After serving for two years overseas Robert was diagnosed as a type-2 diabetic and returned stateside. During treatment for his diabetes it was discovered that Robert had tumors in his kidney that ended up with him losing part of his kidney.
Robert is about to retire from the Army National Guard and is unashamedly proud of serving as a Sergeant and his numerous citations including two Army Commendation Medals, Combat Action Badge, Six Army Achievement Medals and the Operation Katrina Humanitarian Service Medal.
For all the difficulties Robert has endured throughout his life, he has come through with the perseverance and fortitude that defines an American. His life is that of any American, mixed with tragedy and accomplishment. But out of these tragedies comes hope for tomorrow.
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