We should never overlook the sacrifice of those who have served. First hand, I have seen how Hempfield Alumni want to serve their country, and some even want to make a career out of it. Veterans, and active duty service members, sacrifice their families, lives, and loved ones, to help their country. These people deserve our respect and recognition for choosing this path so early in life. Personally, I know how hard it is to deal with the separation of loved ones who chose this path. These individuals give away their freedoms so we can have ours.
Jaden DeRoche graduated from Hempfield Area as part of last year’s 2024 class. DeRoche has always been close with his family, friends, and his community. Many of his close friends went off to college; yet, he decided to choose a different path. DeRoche is following in his father’s footsteps who also served in the US Army by joining the United States Air Force within the next two months. He expressed that he was nervous about leaving his family and girlfriend of 3 years. Yet he says, “I’m excited to experience boot camp and a change in life. I know everything will be okay. I get to experience a new way of life and travel while also growing up and maturing.” DeRoche’s recruiter is set to give him a date soon for his Basic Training, while he has already completed MEPS Entrance.
Additionally, two individuals from Hempfield Area are entering into the United States Navy. Harrison Methven, another graduate of the 2024 class decided early on in his life that joining the United States Navy would be part of his future. He was planning on entering the Navy early in the summer; yet they pushed back his original date to August 2024. Methven is still in the Navy’s 3 month long boot-camp, one of the longest of all the branches. While he cannot divulge any future plans, Methven says that he enjoys boot camp but is ready for his MOS school. He indicates that his Petty Officers give him a hard time to try and break him, but he won’t break. He especially enjoys receiving letters from friends and family.
Ryan Gilbert also graduated from the 2024 class, and he was the first graduate to enter Boot Camp for the United States Navy. Gilbert is currently at his MOS (Tech) School in South Carolina where he will spend the next two years studying Navy courses for his chosen career. Gilbert expressed his interest in joining the Sub Teams, when he extended his contract. Gilbert explains that, “Boot-camp was hard at first, but you got used to it. Everyone got sick, there was no medicine and a new disease every week.” Even with these challenges, he is excited about the decision he made.
Brady Engler class of 2024 graduate is currently in Basic Training for the United States Air Force. Engler’s father who also went to Hempfield Area and served as a Medic in the US Army. Engler, throughout high school, always wanted to better himself, and this was his plan to accomplish that feat. He plans to make the Air Force a career. Engler was nervous about leaving his family and his girlfriend of a year and a half, but he feels their endless support. He has received many letters, but he indicated that he doesn’t get very much time to write or reach out to people. Engler has expressed through letters that, “Boot camp is stressful, but the food is good. The PT is worth it.” He is set to graduate on November 6th. After Boot Camp, Engler will then spend 90 days in MOS (Tech) School followed by his four year base assignment.
These Hempfield Alumni chose to leave home and their loved ones. This is just one reason Veterans and Active Service men and women deserve the recognition for sacrificing years of their freedom so we no longer have too. We should never overlook those that have sacrificed so much for us to pursue this path.
