“My dad has always been my hero. He sacrificed his young adulthood by entering the Army when he was 18. Because of his service, he met and fell in love with my mom, who was in the WAC (Women’s Army Core), in 1977. The Army literally brought them together and is the reason my sister and I are here. My dad was actually stationed in South Korea when I was born and met me at 4 months old. He made that ultimate sacrifice for his nation, as badly as he wanted to see his new baby.”
“My husband James joined the Navy on October 18, 2001. He always knew he wanted to follow in the same footsteps as his father, grandfather and uncle but when 9/11 happened he knew his time was now. At 18, barely an adult himself, he dedicated himself to serve the country he loves and branch of service he admired. He gave 22 years of his life to the Navy before he was forced to retire last year. If it was up to him he’d still be fighting the good fight along his brothers and sisters in arms. He navigated 5 different rates at the Navy’s request and each time did so with only two goals, to take care of his sailors the best he could and continue committing himself to serve his country in any way possible. During one of those many transitions, his father passed away, but because of his dedication to his country, along with his father’s history as a sailor himself, he continued his commitment in serving his nation, completing a transition to a new rate and pushing through an unimaginable loss. A father of 4, meant time away from his children and missing pivotal moments, but he never complained. Last year he was forced to retire, an adjustment that hasn’t been the easiest for him, but one he’s taken on with as much vigor as he could muster after having his passion and love of being a sailor taken away too soon for his liking. Today he is continuing to work with sailors on Naval Station Norfolk, spending time on vessels that resurface all the things he loved about being in the Navy, but this time as a civilian. He may bleed red, but he bleeds for the red, white, and blue and will for the rest of his life because being a member of the armed service wasn’t just a job to him but a part of who he is, now and forever.”
“SSG Patrick W. Luley was born August 10, 1983 in Petoskey, MI. He entered the Missouri Army National Guard on November 22, 2000 in Saint Louis, MO. He graduated Army Basic Training at Fort Sill, OK on August 10, 2001, his 18th birthday.”
“Leah has over achieved as a Personal Specialist. She has been stationed in San Diego, CA, Pascagoula,MS Pre-Commisioning LHA-6, Port Heuneme, CA at the medical clinic, and now with a Squadron on Norfolk Naval Base. Where ever she has been stationed she has led by and example and worked always in a higher pay grade’s position. At her current command she received Sailor of the Year!. Her newest challenge is serving the world’s finest military while having brought triplets into this world and continues to raise them while on active duty and serving at a sea duty command. She utilizes the Navy’s core values, Honor, Courage, and Commitment, when serving as a great sailor/leader, wife, and a new mother!! Hoorah!”
“Tyler and I met when we were both in A School in Great Lakes, IL. From the moment I’ve met him he’s had “bad luck” with his orders and anything military related. He’s received a NAM from his first deployment and Battle E, on his second deployment they also received Battle E. He has been through 2 deployments and took it like a champ. Even if he was sick through his first one. He saved his best friends life on his first deployment when he had a seizure and hit his head on the floor. Tyler put him on his side and made sure he wasn’t choking or hurting himself. He truly is my hero. There’s a lot more to say about him that I wish I could include, I don’t want to bore you. GM3 Simon is a military hero and a superhero in my mind.”
If you know someone who serves, nominate them to be our next Military Hero presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, Our members are the Mission.
“I cannot say enough about this man. We didn’t meet while he was serving but 2 years after he was medically discharged for having a cerebral brain hemorrhage after serving 20 years. Most people don’t even survive them and if they do they’re never the same after. Not only did he recover, when we got married in 2012 he went on to get his bachelors degree while working full time, taking care of 4 kids and a pregnant wife carrying twins. He works hard for his family and loves us unconditionally. I wish I could give him the moon and the stars but the next best thing would to be able to honor him as the next FM99 Military Hero of the week.”
“Mike has been in the Navy almost 19 years and has been an outstanding role model ever since. He was currently diagnosed with some health issues and still shows up for his junior sailors, which really shows his character. There are many who deserve this recognition, but I feel he is definitely among the top who do. He has proven what a model sailor/chief should look like and has been the perfect person for junior sailors to learn from.”
“My husband has been honorably serving for 17 years♡ He is the most dedicated father, husband, sailor and friend. I can not express my absolute appreciation for all the sacrifices he makes day in and day out for our family. He’s missed countless birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas’s, holidays, family events, school plays, graduations and the birth of our youngest son. I am in awe at his ability to gie his sailors 100% and still be very present in our children’s lives, no matter the distance. I love you with every fiber of my being my love. I can not even begin to express what you mean to us and everyone lucky enough to know you. Hoping that this is the last deployment and you will soon be able to enjoy a much deserve retirement. Welcome Home sweetheart. We missed you so very much❤️”
“My dad, Timothy Seekins, is a very hard working man! He made a wonderful career in the military and moved up ranks from enlisted to Chief Petty Officer. He is a chef and started (and finished) in the military as a chef. He loves his family and is there if you ask him to help with anything. He works as a letter carrier for the USPS currently and will be retiring within the next 2 years. He pushes his family to work hard and strive for what they want in life. He is teaching my 13 year old son how to cook now since my son has an interest in being a chef as well. His favorite genre is Classic Rock and he listens to 106.9 everyday while on his route delivering mail!”
