U.S. paratrooper coming home
Returning
to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, after his second
tour of duty in Afghanistan, 82nd Airborne
paratrooper Specialist Ethan Cord McDaniel,
leaving military service, will be visiting his
parents in Moyie Springs Thursday before
embarking on a different tour; one following in
his father's footsteps.McDaniel enlisted in the Army at age 17; instead of enjoying summer vacation after his junior year in high school, he went through the rigors of Army basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
After graduating in 2008, he shipped out to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he spent three arduous weeks in jump school; one of the Army's toughest three week courses, and from there he was sent to Fort Bragg and the Second Battalion, Second of the 508th, Fourth Brigade Combat Team.
Before he ever had the chance to fall in love with Fort Bragg, he was in Afghanistan; he'd barely come "home" before his unit was re-deployed.
He got back to Bragg in August.
Ethan chose not to re-enlist; he took an honorable discharge instead ... and benefits. Thanks to the Army, he's going to school.
He's going to be learning the things his Dad did; and that isn't easy, either.
His Dad was a cop in Clayton, California. Ethan appreciates what his father did, and is willing to earn the chance to live up to his Dad, now retired.
He wants to be a peace officer, too.
Ethan, the son of Darrell and Kimberly Young, Moyie Springs, is coming Thursday to visit his folks on the way to his new career in California. His Mom thinks a welcome here will show her son just why he might think about staying here for awhile.