Community sees more than 50 enlist in U.S. military

Apr. 8—For young adults who have their lives waiting before them, the decision on which path to take can be a monumental one. On Saturday, more than 50 regional men and women took their first steps on the path that leads them into the military.

Recruits for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Kentucky National Guard took the oath of enlistment in front of family and friends at the Carr Veterans Memorial Park, located just off of Ky. 39.

The ceremony's keynote speaker, retired Army Sgt. Maj. Tabitha Gavia, commended those young men and women for choosing to take the path they have.

"You have chosen a path that demands dedication, resilience, and selflessness," she said. "You have answered the call to defend the freedoms and values that define our great nation. Today marks the beginning of a journey filled with challenges, opportunities, and moments of profound pride. This is a significant moment in your life — one of many. This journey will shape not only your future but also the course of history."

Gavia herself started her journey down that path several decades ago. She said that she came from a military family, having been born here in Kentucky — at Fort Knox — while her father was serving during the Vietnam War.

She said she had returned to Fort Knox during her own service, which lasted "33 years, four months and 25 days."

"I miss it. I just miss it so much," she said of her service. "I look back and think, 'I can't believe I served so long.'"

Gavia said in her last decade of service she led whatever organization she was assigned to. Her last organization was with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, working with active duty Army and Reserves recruiters.

That led her to serve with the Association of Untied States Army (AUSA), where she continues to help the Army and her country.

She said that she attended Saturday's event at the request of Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Armentrout, who is the station commander for the local Army recruiting station, as well as the local AUSA lead Pamela Brown.

"It's such an honor to do these kinds of events," Gavia said. "I really appreciate these ceremonies. It is important that we honor our young people that are making this big important step. They've made this commitment to serve our country ... It's so awesome seeing the family and friends. It's very important, and it's great that this community recognizes that it's important."

During her speech, Gavia told the recruits that they were joining a brotherhood and sisterhood that included 16.2 million veterans nationwide, 300,000 veterans here in Kentucky, and 2.86 million current active duty, reserve and national guard personnel.

"As you stand on the threshold in this new chapter in your life, know that you carry the hopes and dreams of a grateful nation. Your service will be remembered and honored for generations to come," she told the recruits.

Armentrout told the crowd how the men and women entering the armed forces were going to be his replacements one day.

He added that, while the current military is made up of voluntary service members, he has heard from many people who have told him the country should go back to holding the draft and selective service.

"I'll tell you right now: I thank God that we don't, and that we haven't," he said. "Because what you see out here today is voluntary patriotism. These are young men and women that want to serve this great nation. These are businesses, politicians, (and) people who care about this community and want to better this community."

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck echoed those words in his own speech, saying that he is grateful to live in a country where people choose to answer the call to service.

"I'm thankful for the Greatest Generation, and those who came before that answered it valiantly when they were drafted, but now we have a 100% volunteer military and armed forces, and what a special, special thing that is," Keck said.

Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority, was on hand to remind the crowd that economic development is anything that benefits the lives of the citizens in the community.

"Without question, enlisting in the United States military is bettering the life of oneself," he said. "I'm so appreciative of the young men and women that we have here today that have made some of the best decisions of their lives."

Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com