Behind the scene of the article “From Firefighter to Poet: Kendall Thompson.”
Kendall Thompson is one of our successful Alexandrians who became a firefighter in 1986. He climbed up through the ranks at the Fairfax Fire Department to Fire Captain. He also had a strong childhood passion in writing poetry. During his pre-retirement years, he wrote his poems on his IPAD’s note application. He kept writing one poem after another. Now as a retiree, he is free to be a full-time poet.
Kendall comes from a large family. His parents Clayton Thompson, Sr and Irene Drayton had eleven children. Kendall’s siblings are:
Brenda Thompson Laster is a beautician who still practice in Alexandria, Virginia.
Clayton Thompson, Jr is a retired firefighter, currently employed by Homeland Security/Assistance Firefighters’ Grants
Jeffrey Thompson is deceased but he was a U.S. Army and laborer
Iris Thompson is retired from Alexandria City Public School as a Teacher’s Assistant
Marsha Thompson Smith is retired from Alexandria City Schools (Headquarters/School Board)
Lisa Thompson Mountain is a beautician in New Orleans, Louisiana
Norma Cheryl Thompson Blackmon deceased was retired from the U.S. Courts
Christopher Thompson is a retired firefighter and is now the Civilian Assistant to the Fire Chief of Alexandria City
Victor Thompson is a Sous Chef at a country club in Chantilly, Virginia
Michele Thompson is a paralegal in Fairfax, Virginia and she performs network marketing
Kendall is now making up for lost time he has published several books of poems. His books are:
“Why We Walk in the Street” – This book is about poems that give thoughts about these times that we are living in from the writer’s perspective. (Released June 21, 2020)
“Angry Black Man,” is a book of verse of the author’s thoughts. The book is to make you think. It is a black man’s thoughts. (Released July 7, 2020)
“Hearing Whispers,” describes the feelings that the author gets as his thoughts turn towards the loss of a loved one. Will we hear the whispers of our ancestors? Will we hear the whispers of those who have taken the journey, before us? Hearing Whispers is a part of our journey. (Released July 17, 2020)
“Revered,” is a book of verse about the author’s thoughts while this nation is trying to make sense of tumultuous year of 2020. This book will make you think. (Released August 6, 2020)
You can read more about Kendall Thompson in the Alexandria Gazette’s newspaper dated August 12, 2020 on page 8 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2020/081220/Alexandria.pdf.
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