An Austin Family Tradition
(February 5, 2011) |
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NORFOLK, Va. (Feb. 3, 2011) – There are many families who
have a long history of military service, but there are only
a few that can say all of their children have served on
active duty in all four military branches—three at the same
time.
Greg and Dale Austin, who hail from Toccoa,
Ga., are the proud parents of four sons. Three of them are
currently on active duty; the fourth finished active duty in
2002. |
Zechariah Austin, a former Marine who was
honorably discharged in 2002, smiles for his
official photo prior to graduating Marine Corps
boot camp. Courtesy Photo |
Airman Josiah Austin smiles for his official photo prior to completing Air Force Basic Training, Jan. 15, 2010.
Courtesy Photo |
Army Sgt. Jeremiah Austin smiles for his official photo Courtesy Photo |
Petty Officer 3rd Class Nehemiah Austin smiles for his official photo, Feb. 3, 2011. Courtesy Photo |
Greg Austin father of Jeremiah, Josiah, Nehemiah and Zechariah, served in the Navy from 1972-1977. He was a technician
2nd Class Petty Officer. Courtesy Photo |
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“My wife and I are proud that our sons have
chosen to be a part of the uniformed services, and we hope
that our seven grandchildren will make the same choice,”
said Greg Austin, who served in the Navy from 1972-1977 as a
submarine sonar technician. “We believe there's a privilege,
and a responsibility that comes with being an American and
that privilege is service.”
His sons' current service
spans three services: Petty Officer 3rd Class Nehemiah
Austin, U.S. Navy, from 2007- present; Army Sgt. Jeremiah
Austin, 1995-1999 and 2004 - present; and U.S. Air Force
Airman Josiah Austin, Jan. 15, 2010 - present. Their
brother, Zechariah Austin, served in the Marine Corps as a
TOW gunner from 1995-1999 and 2001-2002.
“I picked
the Navy because my father and his father were both enlisted
in the Navy. I hope if I have a child they would enlist in
the Navy as well,” said Nehemiah Austin, currently assigned
to Commander, U.S. Second Fleet in Norfolk, Va.
“I
picked the Army because I wanted to be a paratrooper,” said
Jeremiah Austin, currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky.,
as an airborne infantryman.
Josiah Austin chose the
Air Force because of its breadth of experience and depth of
value.
And even though his military service in the
Marine Corps is over, Zechariah remembers what made him
decide to join the Marines.
“I joined the Marines
after talking to my mother,” said Zechariah Austin. “She
asked what I wanted to do when I grew up and I told her I
would love to be a pilot. She mentioned that she had always
loved the Marines dress blue uniform, bearing and core
values. That was pretty much the end of that debate in my
mind.”
Their service to country wasn't planned, but
the connection they have because of it makes their love for
each other even stronger.
“I'm fascinated by the
recurrence, generation after generation of our families'
service,” said Jeremiah Austin. “Having a brother that has
served in four branches of service is something special. I'm
beyond proud of all my brothers and their decision to
serve.”
“I am obviously proud of all my brothers,”
said Zechariah Austin. “Jeremiah has risked it all in combat
and come back with his body and mind intact. Nehemiah
entered a challenging job field, enlisted in a time of war,
and showed discipline and perseverance in completing his
training. Josiah just finished boot camp, so we're all
really excited for him right now,” he added.
The
father, Greg Austin, remembers his days of Navy life fondly,
and how his kids were too young to remember his time in
uniform. He did try to instill a sense of gratitude and
service in each of them. As they wear the uniform, they
remember why they serve.
“I'm most proud of the parts
of me and my family that serving this nation brings out of
us. The piece of you that wants to deploy to keep a younger
man home, or to keep pushing through the pain so you don't
let down your squad, the impact you can have on your service
branch by training whole generations, or simply realizing
that by picking your tired, ragged behind up and going back
overseas because you're a part of something much better and
much greater than you'll ever be on your own,” said Jeremiah
Austin.
“The Air Force concept of personal
responsibility and striving for excellence are not empty
mantras to be repeated soullessly, but are in fact ancient
promises that speak of a greater sense of purpose and
ability. One day I hope to be able to say I was an American
airman, faithful to that proud heritage; to the tradition of
honor and legacy of valor,” said Josiah Austin, currently
stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas
in support of civil engineering
As they continue
their journeys as an intel specialist, airborne infantryman,
civil engineer and civilian, all the brothers agree that
their love of country and family can be summed up in just
one quote.
“We few, we happy few, we band of
brothers. For he today that sheds blood with me, shall be my
brother; be ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his
condition,” King Henry V. |
By Navy CPO Mary Popejoy
Commander, U.S. Second Fleet
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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