Carmen is O'Neal of the Fortnight!

After graduating from Ocracoke School in 1991, Carmen joined the Marine Corps.  Duty served, he returned to civilian life.  The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 caused military superiors to invite him back, as a training specialist for the US Army.  Seven years of Carmen's adult life have been spent on active duty.  He also served for a couple of years as a reserve.

After living in Delaware and other East Coast haunts, Carmen once again calls Ocracoke home.  He was gracious enough to talk to me over the strains of karaoke at Howard's Pub, where he works.   Without missing a step in getting his job done, he answered a series of hard-hitting questions.

Carmen said he didn't realize he'd have to pose for a photo. Here he is, reluctant and tired, after a night of work.

Ocracoke Current:  Who is Carmen O'Neal?

Carmen:  That's too complex.

Carmen:  Oh, God.  A long time ago, at least ten years.  Do you have any questions that aren't tacky?

OC:  What's on your bucket list of things to do?

Carmen:  Get out of the country for a few weeks.  This time for pleasure.

OC:  When was the last time you were out of the country?

Carmen:  Tijuana.  I was getting out of the Marines and partying.  In 1997.

OC:  Why did you keep leaving Ocracoke and then returning?

Carmen:  I think that now I've got that out of my blood. 

OC:  So you're here now?  For life?

Carmen:  (shrugging, nodding and grinning)  Yeah.

OC:  What's the farthest you've been from home?

Carmen:  Okinawa.

OC:  What are some of the most important lessons you learned as a serviceman?

Carmen:  I learned more from the Marine Corps than from the Army.  Self-discipline, and learning that your body can achieve more than you ever thought possible.  Never quit.  Stick up for your friends.

OC:  How much can you bench press?

Carmen:  I still bench press over three.  My top was 420.

OC:  What celebrity do you have a crush on?

Carmen:  What?  None. 

OC:  What is the most stupid thing a tourist has ever asked you?

Carmen:  There are so many stupid things I get asked.  You want me to narrow it down?  One of the most stupid questions is, "Do you live here?"

OC:  Yeah, I always want to say that I commute a long distance for the privilege of waiting on them.  If you could change one thing about Ocracoke, what would it be?

Carmen:  One thing?!  The first thing I'd do is open access to the beaches, just like the Park Service promised they would 70 years ago.  The second thing?  I'd get rid of this ridiculous fee.

OC:  What was your favorite part about growing up here?

Carmen:  Everybody felt like family.  You could go up and talk to anybody, hop up on the porch and just chat.  I don't see that anymore.  I don't think the kids have that.

OC:  Was that because everyone on Ocracoke is, in fact, your family?

Carmen:  Half were family.  The other half just felt like it.