Erica enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1995, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and serving as a 91 Bravo, combat medic.
hometown hero
Hometown Hero – John DeGorge
United States Army ROTC Cadet John DeGeorge was born in New York City and calls Middletown, New York home. John enlisted in the Army in 2019 completing basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia, becoming an 11 Charlie, Indirect Fire Infantryman. He served on active duty from 2019 to 2024, achieving the rank of Sergeant.
His first duty assignment was with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment – The Wolfhounds – located in Schofield Barracks Hawaii. He deployed on several multinational military exercises to the Philippines, working alongside partner forces from New Zealand and Thailand. While stationed in Hawaii, John met and married his wife, Sara, in Honolulu on August 20th, 2022, and they recently welcomed their first son, JJ, on June 14th of this year.
In 2024, John was selected for a three-year Green to Gold Scholarship, chose to attend Syracuse University, and join the university’s Stalwart Battalion Army ROTC program. Today, John is a senior studying Information Management and Technology with a Minor in History. He is on track to graduate in the spring of 2027 and earn his commission as an Army Second Lieutenant.
His proudest moment in the military was earning his Expert Infantryman Badge, a special skills badge in the U.S. Army awarded to personnel who demonstrate mastery of critical infantry and warfighting fundamentals.
Hometown Hero: Brittany Taylor
From May 2015 to June 2019, Brittany served onboard USS PEAR HARBOR LSD 52 as a Personnel Specialist maintaining critical operational readiness for over 350 sailors.
Hometown Hero – Alisha Milligan
U.S. Navy veteran Alisha Milligan was born Colorado and hails from Venice, Florida. Alisha enlisted in the Navy in February 2012 and attended boot camp two months later at Recruit Training Command, Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. After completing boot camp, she attended and completed Navy Air Traffic Controller “A” School training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC on Naval Air Station Pensacola (Florida).
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Mariah Carter
United States Army Second Lieutenant Maria Carter was born in Nashville, Tennessee and grew up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. In 2023, Maria graduated from Abington Senior High School in 2023 and attended Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Hometown Hero: AJ Florkowski
AJ graduated from Pennridge High School, excelling in soccer and playing on the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team and was also recognized as a Parade All-American after his senior year of high school.
Hometown Hero – Scott Wegener
United States Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Scott Wegener was born in Lexington, Missouri, and he enlisted in the Army in July 2009. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and the 44 Charlie, Financial Management Technician course which is known today as the 36 Bravo Finance and Comptroller.
Continue ReadingHometown Hero: Varun Gollapudi
United States Army Staff Sergeant and Syracuse University Student Veteran Organization President, Varun Gollapudi was born and raised in San Jose, California.
Hometown Hero: Quynn Sweeney
United States Army Sergeant and current Syracuse University Army ROTC cadet Quynn Sweeney hails from Fulton, New York. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2019 and has been serving on active duty for six years. Quynn initially trained at the 5th Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to become 37 Foxtrot, Psychological Operations Specialist from 2020 to 2021. She later changed her Army occupational skill to 92 Alpha, Automated Logistics Specialist.
Hometown Hero: Nick Hardy
United States Army veteran Nicholas Hardy was born in Syracuse, New York and raised in Vestal. Nick enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after 9/11 and attended basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, becoming at 13B, Cannon Crewmember. Nick attended basic airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia, and he was later assigned as a paratrooper to the 173rd Airborne Brigade – the Sky Soldiers – in Vincenza, Italy.