Joel R. Stegall’s start in graduate school was cut short by an invitation from the U.S. Army to help save the world from Communism after the Berlin Wall went up in 1961. After serving two years as a lieutenant, he taught music in junior high school, which he discovered was much more difficult than commanding troops. Moving into higher education, Joel held teaching and administrative posts in North Carolina, New York, Florida, and Virginia. Since retiring to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he sings in two choirs and writes on occasion.