United States Navy Mass Communications Specialist 2nd (MC2) Class Mykala Keckeisen was born and raised in the city of Madison, Wisconsin. She enlisted in the United States Navy and attended Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois in December 2020. Following RTC, MC2 Keckeisen spent seven months at the Defense Information School in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. MC2 Keckeisen graduated in the top five in her class and after completing “A” school, she arrived at her first duty station on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
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Hometown Hero: Rolondo “Jun” Mari
United States Army Sergeant First Class Rolando “Jun” Mari was born in the Philippines and calls Bel Air, Maryland home. Sergeant First Class Mari entered the U.S. Army in 2011, completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and became a 36 Bravo, Financial Management Technician.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Dr. Don Cantwell, ’47, G’48
United States Navy World War II veteran, two-time Syracuse University alum, and renowned musician Don Cantwell was born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1924 and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1942. He attended St Lawrence University Navy V12 Officers Training Program from 1943-44 and later Notre Dame University’s Navy Midshipman School in 1944. Don attended the U.S. Navy School of Music in Washington, DC, in 1945 and later served with the Navy Flag Band Mediterranean Fleet before being discharged in 1945.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Benetta Dousuah
U.S. Army veteran, Syracuse University student, and 2024 Tillman Scholar Benetta Dousuah was born in a resettlement refugee camp in Ghana, West Africa. Benetta and her family won the lottery to relocate to the United States when she was ten years old. She grew up in Newark, New Jersey.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Michelle Johnson
United States Army retired Sergeant Major and current Syracuse University doctoral candidate Michelle M. Johnson was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from high school in 1992, Michelle attended Cleveland State University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. Later, she would complete her master’s degree in communications and leadership from Park University. Michelle joined the Ohio Army National in 1997 and completed basic training and advanced individual training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, becoming a military police officer.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Mike Frasciello
United States Air Force Veteran, Syracuse University alum, and Syracuse University’s Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Michael J. Frasciello was born in Union City, New Jersey, grew up in Hopatcong, New Jersey, and today calls Clay, New York home. Mike’s family drove his propensity to serve our nation having a grandfather and two of his brothers serve in World War II, and two other uncles serve in World War II and Korea. His family’s military service also included six of his brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, eight nephews, and one niece who have served or are currently serving. Mike’s amazing wife, Helen, is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant after serving 30 years of active, reserve, and guard service.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Rebecca King
U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Rebecca King was born in Huntsville, Alabama and calls Madison, Alabama home. Rebecca began her college and military career in August 2020, at Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Hometown Hero: U.S. Army First Lieutenant Jade Argueta
U.S. Navy Captain (Retired) Roosevelt “Rick” Wright hails from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and currently lives in Marcellus, New York. Today, Rick is a Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Hometown Hero: Roosevelt “Rick” Wright
U.S. Navy Captain (Retired) Roosevelt “Rick” Wright hails from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and currently lives in Marcellus, New York. Today, Rick is a Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Hometown Hero: Fred Shibel
Frederick “Fred” Shibel Sr was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1927. Upon graduating from Lawrence High School at 17, Fred enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II; even though his two older brothers – Chuck and Ed – were already in the war, he wouldn’t have been drafted