麻花视频

It was a tradition that his grandmother started when his grandfather left to serve in the Army in World War II. While it was a meal she cooked almost daily, Siers said she made sure to have it for any family member who was heading off to serve.

It is a tradition that Siers has now expanded to Franklin County High School students who will soon be leaving to join the armed forces this summer. The annual Future Veterans Breakfast gives those students a chance to come together for a meal, and a taste of home, before leaving.

鈥淢y biscuits pale in comparison to hers,鈥� Siers said of the homemade biscuits and gravy made using his grandmother鈥檚 recipe specifically for the breakfast on Friday.

Franklin County High School has 15 graduating seniors this year who will be joining a branch of the military. Of those, 12 attended Thursday鈥檚 breakfast in the school鈥檚 culinary arts classroom joined by Siers, Franklin County High School Principal Reyhan Deskins and recruiters Army Staff Sgts. Zachary Sharpe and Lindsay Hundley.

鈥淵ou guys are going to go out there and do great things,鈥� Sharpe said to the students.

The 15 future veterans are a small percentage of the approximately 1,800 students attending Franklin County High School this year. While small, they a part of a nationwide increase in military recruitment that has been ongoing for the past few years.

The Department of Defense cited a 12.5% increase in military enlistment in its fiscal year for 2024, which runs from Oct. 1 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024. There were 225,000 new recruits in 2024 compared to 200,000 in 2023.

The increase in recruitment has been linked to a variety of factors including improved recruitment strategies, increased bonuses and new prep courses. The election of Donald Trump could have also played a role as some people are more comfortable joining the military in a Republican administration. Although, recruitment numbers were increasing before Trump鈥檚 election, which happened after the end of the federal government fiscal year.

Franklin County High School student Isobella Amicucci is leaving next month to join the Navy. She joined as a way to pay for her college as well as get experience in her goal of one day becoming a surgical nurse.

鈥淚 wanted more opportunities,鈥� Amicucci said.

The military is an option for many high school students who question if they can afford college or if they want to be possibly saddled with student loans. Siers told students Thursday that he was able to get a bachelor鈥檚 degree, master鈥檚 degree and doctorate paid for by serving in the U.S. Army, while also getting the opportunity to see the world.

Seeing the world it one of the reasons student Jayden Hall decided to sign up to join the Marines next month. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to get out of here,鈥� he said.

Hall also wants to become someone his 3-year-old little brother looks up to. He said his brother has already said he plans to be a Marine one day himself.

Deskins congratulated the students on their decision to join the military. He encouraged them to make a career out of the military. He said staying in provides additional benefits that can help them later in life.

Deskins also thanked them for joining the military and for their future service. Many of those at the breakfast Thursday said they will be leaving just a few days after graduation for basic training and the start of a new chapter in their life.

鈥淚 just want to say how proud I am of all of you,鈥� Deskins said.

Before students returned to their classes, Siers also thanked them for their decision to join the military. He also offered to make them biscuits and gravy once again when they returned for another taste of home.

鈥淲e appreciate the decision you鈥檝e made and we appreciate the sacrifice you are going to make,鈥� Siers said.