NORTH BRUNSWICK – Nine young men plan to enlist in the military after graduating from North Brunswick Township High School on June 25.
“We’re really proud of them for making the choice to serve our country,” said Kevin Farrell, director of Guidance at the high school. “We really support them.”
Hunter Allen will join the U.S. Air Force, inspired by his family’s legacy of service. He said his grandfather is a Vietnam vet for the Army, his uncle was stationed in Korea during Operation Desert Storm, and his cousin is currently serving with the U.S. Marines in Okinawa, Japan.
Kevin Cruz will join the U.S. Air Force.
“Looking at other people’s experiences, it became a lifestyle I became interested in,” he said, including free schooling and the opportunity to travel.
Angel Gonzalez will join the U.S. Marines. He said as the captain of the football team, he wanted to take on another challenge.
“My family joined the Army so I wanted to take a step higher and leave a legacy behind,” he said.
Wilfredo Heredia will join the U.S. Air Force. His father was an Airborne Ranger for the U.S. Army.
William Nieves will join the U.S. Marines for its “challenges, hard work and commitment.” He said since he was young, he always had the Marines in mind because it is “the hardest and the best branch.”
Joshua Jimenez will join the U.S. Army. He said he met a recruiter at the school, and upon learning about college incentives and scoring high on the standardized test for the Army, he wanted to join.
Ryan Keefe will join the U.S. Army.
“It always seemed like a good and honorable thing to do, and to learn life lessons,” he said. “And if I can do this, I can do anything else, pretty much.”
Rafael Mesa will join the U.S. Navy, a “dream” of his since he was a young child. He said he has pictures of himself on a boat as early as second grade.
“All I ever thought about was I wanted to make a difference in the world, and this gives me a purpose,” he said.
Delmacio De La Cruz Abreu will enlist in the U.S. Navy. He was not available for comment.