ASHLAND — Ian Parker, a student at Madison Comprehensive High School, said he wanted to be a soldier when he was young.
His path veered away from that as he got older and decided he wanted to become an engineer. Then, he talked to a recruiter and learned about the chance to be a nuclear engineer in the Navy.
On Sunday, Parker — along with 27 of his peers from across north central Ohio — was honored for his decision to enlist at Ashland’s inaugural “Our Community Salutes” event. Honorees included students from high schools in both Ashland and Richland counties.
For Parker, the day served as a reminder that people do recognize the sacrifice service members are making.
Parker said he thinks it’s important for people to know that they matter, and that people care about them.
Our Community Salutes
Our Community Salutes aims to do exactly that. The organization’s mission is to honor high school seniors enlisting in the military.
It was founded in 2009.
Bonnie Vona has been involved with the organization since 2018. She was the catalyst for bringing the event to Ashland.
Vona lives in Virginia now, but grew up in Ashland and wanted to bring the event to her hometown. Vona began working with the mayor’s office in August to help the event come to fruition.
She hopes it will become an annual event.
“What they’re doing is they’re signing a contract up to and including their life for their country, and they don’t get the recognition,” she said.
The event featured several guest speakers who commended students on their decision to go into the armed service and offered them advice, resources and support.
Keynote speaker Capt. Jack Hughes, the U.S. Army Budget Liaison to Congress, spoke about the importance of teamwork and mentorship.
Students took an Oath of Enlistment together, and then were called to the stage one-by-one to have their photos taken.
What it’s all about
Hayden DiPuccio, a senior at Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, agreed. DiPuccio always knew he wanted to serve in the military and is following in the footsteps of family members who have also served.
He said he appreciated the ceremony, and thought it was important to bring awareness to the number of people who make the choice to serve.
But at the end of the day, DiPuccio said that’s not what drove his decision to enlist.
“This isn’t why we do it,” DiPuccio said. “This is good and all, but we do this to protect the people that watched (today).
“We don’t do this for recognition.”