|
PENSACOLA, Fla. - It started with bedtime stories – stories of
exotic lands with strange foods, cultures and peoples, stories of
brave men and women who fought for freedom and protected the
innocent, stories that extolled the virtues of honor, sacrifice and
bravery.
These were the stories often heard in the Goodwyn
home. There were no wizards, elves or knights. Only brave men and
women who had taken up service for their country. It was these
stories, told by Hosea Goodwyn, which first kindled the flame of
service in his son, Hosea Goodwyn Jr., and daughter, Alexis Goodwyn.
|
May 29, 2014 -
(From Left) Alexis Goodwyn and her brother, Hosea Goodwyn Jr., made
the decision to serve their country by enlisting in the U.S.
Marines. The siblings, from Pensacola, Florida, were inspired by
their father's stories of his own deployments. Now, the two J. M.
Tate High School Seniors are planning on beginning their own story as
U.S. Marines.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jon Holmes)
|
“Each time he told his stories, they would continuously
interest me,” said Alexis Goodwyn, from Pensacola, Fla.
Their father shared with them his experiences in places
like Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Spain and Dubai. Places
that are as mystical and mysterious to a young mind as a
fantasy world.
“His journeys inspired me to go on my
own,” said Hosea Goodwyn Jr., from Pensacola.
The
question for the young Goodwyns was not if to serve, but in
which branch – a decision that would drastically effect how
their own stories and journeys would unfold. The young
siblings sought professionalism and service to country, but
it was the bond they saw among the Marines that solidified
their decision to enlist.
“They would help each other out
through the worst of situations,” said Hosea Goodwyn Jr., a
senior from J. M. Tate High School in Pensacola. “Everyone
in the Marine Corps is like a brother or sister.”
“The Marines had a tight bond with one another,” added his
sister, also a J.M. Tate senior, explaining why they chose
the Marines.
As the two prepare to start their new
journey, their father had one final story to share – a story
of honor.
“You have people who stand back and watch,
and then you have those who step up to the plate and make a
difference in this world,” Hosea Goodwyn said. “honor,
courage and commitment, and the words we repeat while taking
the oath are not just words to take lightly. Freedom is not
free and it takes brave men and women to ensure we continue
to have freedom in this great nation. My father was a police
officer, and each of my brothers served in the Army and the
Air Forces. We don't have followers in this family. We have
leaders, and they are demonstrating this trait now. I am
proud and honored to be their father.”
With their
decision made, the only story left to tell is their own,
which they will forge with honor, courage and commitment.
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jon Holmes
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
Comment on this article |
