Ezra Awumey, 12, interviews his grandfather Sam Harmon, 75, about the saddest moment in his life. Sam recalls a day during his time in the Navy when a tour of the nation’s capital ended with a belittling reminder of the segregated country he was serving.

Following his time in the Navy, Sam went on to work as an engineer and scientist.

Originally aired on May 27, 2005, on NPR’s Morning Edition.