The RGFA proudly closes out 2004 with Brother Bright Gilmore in the beam of our December Spotlight.

Bright was born in Cherow, South Carolina on December 20, 1934. He graduated high school at the Coulter Memorial Academy, in Cherow. Bright entered the US Army in 1954 and served the majority of his military service in the ‘territory’ of Hawaii (which had not yet become a state). After being honorably discharged in 1957 Bright moved to New York City where he worked in the Post Office, went to college and became a mortician. He joined the Transit Police Department in 1967 and spent the majority of his tenure in Brooklyn’s District 32. He later transferred to the Police Academy where he concluded his career in 1980 with a Line of Duty injury. Bright is most proud of his work with youths, while assigned to the Police Academy. He took great pride in reuniting young people with their parents and helping shape positive behavior.

In 1997, Bright and Dorothy, his wife of 42 years, migrated back to Cherow where he continues to reside. He has two children, a daughter who is a fraud investigator and a son who is a Fairfax County, Virginia police officer.

Bright also beamed when mentioning one of his most cherished memories; being surprised by the appearance of more than 30 of his Retired Guardian brothers at his 40th Anniversary celebration in 2002 in Cherow.

Bright can be reached by e-mail at bright8772@aol.com