Goodfellow AFB hosts ‘Military Signing Day’

SAN ANGELO, TX – Goodfellow Air Force Base hosted its second annual “Armed Forces Commitment Celebration,” also known as “Military Signing Day.”

It happened at the Mathis Fitness Center at the base on Friday, May 10. 

Over two dozen local high school students participated in the ceremony highlighting their commitment to attend a service academy, accept a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship, or enlist as active duty, reserve, or National Guard. 

“We wanted to take time to recognize the commitment that these high school seniors are making to the military,” School Liaison Program Manager for Goodfellow Air Force Base, Kristin Donaldson said. “Wherever they are going, no matter what service, we want them to know that we are supporting them and that they are walking into a military family.”

Nine of them are headed to the Marines, eight to the Air Force, four to the Navy, and one to the Army. 

The recruits came from schools all over the Concho Valley, such as Central High School, Lake View High School, Grape Creek High School, Veribest High School, and Ballinger High School. 

“For every recruit, it’s a little sense of pride for me,” said Sergeant First Class Leroy A. Petry, Medal of Honor Recipient, Operation Iraqi Freedom. “That’s one more volunteer from the masses of our country that says, ‘Send me, I’ll do it.’”