United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Matt Coyne was born and raised in Stony Point, New York, and attended the University of Scranton, where he commissioned through the Army ROTC program in 2006. LTC Coyne began his career as a Military Police Platoon Leader, deploying to Eastern Afghanistan in 2007 with the 546th Military Police Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his deployment, LTC Coyne served in multiple operational assignments, including the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, where he deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010.
Hometown Hero
Hometown Hero: Joseph Raffa
United States Air Force Lt Col Joseph Raffa was born and raised in Oswego, New York. He graduated Mexico High School in 2003 and attended Syracuse University from 2003 – 2007, where he commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through Syracuse University’s Detachment 535 Air Force ROTC program. Joe met his wife Angela while both were attending Syracuse University, and they were married in Hendricks Chapel on May 26, 2007. They have three sons: Joseph Jr., Vincent, and Dominic.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Devon Hubbard
United States Army Captain Devon Hubbard hails from Chicago, Illinois. In 2016, Captain Hubbard was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps from Mercyhurst University.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Mackenzie Kirsch
U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Mackenzie Kirsch was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. In 2024, she graduated as the valedictorian of The New Mexico Military Institute. Mackenzie was commissioned from the Early Commissioning Program as a Second Lieutenant in the Vermont Army National Guard, where she is currently serving in the Judge Advocate General Corps office. As a cadet at the New Mexico Military Institute, she served as the Regimental Provost Marshal, Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and was on the Ranger Challenge Team. Her proudest achievements in the Army include completing the Norwegian Ruck march with her unit and being honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Leonel Aviles ’26
United States Marine Corps veteran and Syracuse University student veterans Leonel Aviles was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Leo joined the United States Marine Corps in 2017, just two weeks after graduating high school. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina and completed Supply and Warehouse Specialist training at Camp Gilbert H. Johnson, North Carolina. As a Supply and Warehouse Specialist, Leo was responsible for keeping Marines equipped with all their equipment required to train and operate each day.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Alexis Stanley
United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Alexis Stanley is from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and she enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 2015.
Hometown Hero: Tania Gonzalez
After four years on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, she joined the U.S. Army Reserves as a 37F Psychological Operations Sergeant.
Hometown Hero: Cristian Bestul
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Cristian Bestul hails from San Bernadino, California, and he enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 21st, 2014, as a Combat Cameraman.
Hometown Hero: Uma Lama
Uma Lama was born in Nepal and has been a resident of New York City since 2013. In 2018, she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Alexa Hernandez
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Alexa Hernandez was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Staff Sergeant Hernandez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November 2016, and she completed Marine Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina in 2017.
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