James Damen Sneed

For twenty-two years of his life, James Damen Sneed served in the United States Army. When he enlisted in 1998, he knew he wanted to be a part of the military for various reasons, not the least of which were the opportunities it offered him and his young daughter. He knew that his decision to serve in the Armed Forces would give his family the benefits of a steady paycheck, health insurance, and college scholarships, among other things. But this lifechanging decision was more than just a business move. This was the beginning of a dream fulfilled, as Sneed had always hoped to serve in the military and eventually enter a career in law enforcement.

Damen, as he’s known by his friends, grew up in southern California. When he joined the Army, it wasn’t long until a year of guard service passed by and he found himself on active duty on the other side of the world serving in his first of four combat tours in the Middle East. During his time overseas, he worked as a gunner, loader, and driver on tanks. Most of the time, his main objective was patrolling supply routes or delivering supplies and ammunition. While this might appear to be simple enough to the civilian eye, it actually proved to be a quite difficult day-to-day task which put Damen and countless other soldiers in many horrific situations. Though far from an easy way to spend so much of his life, Sneed finds value in the job he did for years. “It’s something I’m proud of that I did in my life,” he comments. “Instead of sitting back and complaining, I did something to try to make a difference in the world.”

In August 2012, the Sneeds moved to Forney, a homecoming for his wife Dana McGee Sneed, a Forney native. Although it was not his hometown, the area quickly grew on him. “I love the feel of the town,” he says. But this love of his home extends further than just Forney. With patriotism being a large part of who he is, Damen adds, “The freedom we have in this country is what I love most about it.”

After receiving numerous medals, ribbons, and accolades, Sneed retired from the Army as a Sergeant in 2018. He then picked up the second part of his dream: to become a law enforcement officer. For the last almost-eight years, Sneed has been employed by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. Any time not spent in uniform, though, is spent alongside his wife, five daughters, and grandson. “I hope they do better and don’t just believe what they hear,” he says of his desires for the future generations, like that of his children. “Search for truth and think for yourself.”

A proud Veteran, yet humble in his view of himself, Sneed leaves us with this sobering reminder: “Try to be aware of what it takes to walk in a soldier’s shoes. Not every wound is visible.”