thedrifter
05-26-07, 08:00 AM
Marine
Ahwatukee teen's decision doesn't surprise those who know his desire to serve
Susanne Tso
Special for The Republic
May. 26, 2007 12:00 AM
Until last fall, Desert Vista High School graduate Derek Zeigler, like many of his friends, was headed to Arizona State University. He planned to study finance.
The college sent him an acceptance letter last fall based on his 3.3 grade-point average and an impressive resume of leadership at school and in the community.
The Ahwatukee 18-year-old, who graduated Thursday, had the funding and self-discipline for college. But Zeigler's lifelong interest in the military began nagging at him, and by Christmas, he decided to act on it.
"Pat Tillman is one of my biggest heroes," said Zeigler, referring to the former professional football player who enlisted in the U.S. Army and was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan. He gave his life, and look at everything he had. No one's too good for the military."
So come June, Zeigler will become a U.S. Marine.
He will report to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego on June 4 for 13 weeks of boot camp, and he will train for special security forces.
It was a decision he made on his own and one that met with mixed reaction.
"My friends were excited and they thought it was pretty cool but at the same time, they were worried because there's a war going on. The war doesn't bother me, though. I want to go and help out; I want to do my part," Zeigler said.
Those who know him best weren't surprised.
"He's OK making decisions that other people may not like; he's not a follower," said his mother, Kelly, who calls her son "the all-around greatest kid you could ask for."
Zeigler is known for his leadership and for giving generously to others. His peers voted him the "most involved" student at Desert Vista this year. He is an Eagle Scout, served on the senior class student council, and was a member of the Desert Vista track team.
Some people don't understand why Zeigler would give up college for the risks associated with the eight-year commitment he made to the Marines.
"My whole life I had it in my head that I wanted to join the military," Zeigler said. "I have pictures of me when I was little in camouflage outfits and Air Force pilot suits. I remember going to air shows with my grandfather and every time we saw a military plane fly over he'd talk to me about it."
He and his grandfather, Bob Jones of Tucson, are very close, he says.
Although Zeigler's family is supporting him, not all are embracing the decision.
His 17-year-old brother, Brandon, for example, is "having the hardest time," said his mother. And his father, Bill, is struggling, too. "My husband has been very emotional about it," she said.
But she takes comfort in knowing that her son is following his dreams.
"After he enlisted, he told me, 'I'm the happiest I've ever been,' " she said.
Ellie
Ahwatukee teen's decision doesn't surprise those who know his desire to serve
Susanne Tso
Special for The Republic
May. 26, 2007 12:00 AM
Until last fall, Desert Vista High School graduate Derek Zeigler, like many of his friends, was headed to Arizona State University. He planned to study finance.
The college sent him an acceptance letter last fall based on his 3.3 grade-point average and an impressive resume of leadership at school and in the community.
The Ahwatukee 18-year-old, who graduated Thursday, had the funding and self-discipline for college. But Zeigler's lifelong interest in the military began nagging at him, and by Christmas, he decided to act on it.
"Pat Tillman is one of my biggest heroes," said Zeigler, referring to the former professional football player who enlisted in the U.S. Army and was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan. He gave his life, and look at everything he had. No one's too good for the military."
So come June, Zeigler will become a U.S. Marine.
He will report to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego on June 4 for 13 weeks of boot camp, and he will train for special security forces.
It was a decision he made on his own and one that met with mixed reaction.
"My friends were excited and they thought it was pretty cool but at the same time, they were worried because there's a war going on. The war doesn't bother me, though. I want to go and help out; I want to do my part," Zeigler said.
Those who know him best weren't surprised.
"He's OK making decisions that other people may not like; he's not a follower," said his mother, Kelly, who calls her son "the all-around greatest kid you could ask for."
Zeigler is known for his leadership and for giving generously to others. His peers voted him the "most involved" student at Desert Vista this year. He is an Eagle Scout, served on the senior class student council, and was a member of the Desert Vista track team.
Some people don't understand why Zeigler would give up college for the risks associated with the eight-year commitment he made to the Marines.
"My whole life I had it in my head that I wanted to join the military," Zeigler said. "I have pictures of me when I was little in camouflage outfits and Air Force pilot suits. I remember going to air shows with my grandfather and every time we saw a military plane fly over he'd talk to me about it."
He and his grandfather, Bob Jones of Tucson, are very close, he says.
Although Zeigler's family is supporting him, not all are embracing the decision.
His 17-year-old brother, Brandon, for example, is "having the hardest time," said his mother. And his father, Bill, is struggling, too. "My husband has been very emotional about it," she said.
But she takes comfort in knowing that her son is following his dreams.
"After he enlisted, he told me, 'I'm the happiest I've ever been,' " she said.
Ellie