Larry Ventress was born April 1951, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Clyde Ventress and Nancy Williams. Larry was also blessed with a loving stepfather, Joseph Toliver. Larry is the oldest of three children, a brother Clyde Ventress Jr (Deceased) and a sister, Saundra Aimua. Larry also has an adopted brother, Eddie Cole., a police officer in Desert Hot Springs. Larry joined the Air Force April 10, 1969. He worked as a Load Master on C-130’s for 13.5 years and served two tours in Vietnam. Larry was a Staff Sergeant when discharged. Larry worked for Boeing Aircraft for 20yrs and is now employed, for the past 16.5 years, as School Police Officer for the Compton Unified School District. Larry joined VFW Post 5394, in Compton in 1983, where he met and eventually married the love of his life Traci Lewis-Ventress. As a VFW member Larry has served and is serving on the post level as VFW Post Commander 1999-2000, serving now as Sr. Vice Commander and House Committee Chairman. On the District level he was the 4th District Color Guard Captain for 3 yrs. and the 4th District Commander and on the Department Level, he served as the State Color guard Captain for 3yrs and State Sgt. At Arms for 7yrs. Larry has several mothers throughout the VFW Auxiliary, Cousins and Uncles. Such as Cousin Ralph Duncan, Uncle Lamont Duncan, Uncle Marty (Everette Martin), Adopted sisters Annie Duncan and Toni Burnette and two beautiful Sister in Laws Sharonda and Turkessa "Kessie” Lewis, a niece Kyiaura Lewis-Baldwin, who is now serving in the USAF as a Crew Chief on f-16’s, Nephews Aaron Gipson Jr, Iman "Biggie’ Marshall and Caleo Lewis-Chavies.