Photo By Ann Keyes | Missouri National Guard Pvt. 2nd Class Malachi Leece accepts an appointment to West...... read more read more
WEBB CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard Pvt. 2nd Class Malachi Leece accepted an appointment to West Point in front of family, friends and Missouri Guard supporters at Webb City High School, his signature securing his formal acceptance to the premier U.S. military academy.
“I have always wanted to pay back the country I was brought to, the country that has given me so much,” said Leece, who was adopted and came to the United States and southwest Missouri from Vietnam at the age of 9 months.
Leece joined the Missouri Guard in March of 2012 and completed Army basic training the following summer before beginning his senior year of high school. His Guard recruiter, Staff Sgt. Eddie Hukill, said he knew Leece would do well from the start.
“He's really smart; a real go-getter," said Hukill of Leece. "He knows how to take charge. He knows how to lead."
Capt. Travis Miller, Missouri Guard officer in charge of recruiting for Western Missouri, assisted Leece in his bid for West Point.
“When I read his resume, I thought, ‘When does he sleep?’” said Miller, adding that only two percent of those who apply to West Point are accepted. The decision is based on academic and athletic achievement, community service and most often, congressional recommendation.
Leece received a letter of support from U.S. Rep. Billy Long. Also, under the Soldiers Admission Program for enlisted Army, Guard and Reserve soldiers, Leece was nominated by Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri Army and Air National Guard.
“I'm very grateful," said Leece of his nomination by Danner. "He took time out of his day to meet me and write a letter."
Leece’s parents credit their son for his achievements, tagging him as a high achiever who needs no prodding from them.
“This is something he’s always been interested in,” said Leece’s mother, Johnna. “We never pushed him; he’s always pushed himself.”
Leece serves on Webb City High School student council; he is the JROTC battalion commander; he is in French and Science clubs; and volunteers for Special Olympics and oversees community blood drives, among other activities.
“We had to make him quit his job as he had too many things going on,” said Lee Duncan, adding that he and his wife require Leece to retire to his room by 9 p.m. “He still studies in bed,” said Lee.
Leece wrote multiple essays for his bid to attend historic West Point, he said.
Founded in 1802 and located in West Point, N.Y., the liberal arts college is the oldest military academy in the U.S. The four-year, coeducational school educates and inspires more Army cadets into officers than any other single institution.
Leece plans to attend Army flight school after graduation from West Point, a lifelong career dream for the young man who has excelled in Webb City High School’s JROTC program.
“Malachi is my retirement present,” said Col. Roger Barentine, Webb City’s JROTC senior Army instructor, who is leaving the program at the end of the school year. Barentine, also retired from the Army, said he’s had some successes, including Leece.
“I really push those I think can make it,” said Barentine.
Leece leaves for West Point in July.
For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/
Photos can be found via Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard/sets/72157633118988962/
For more information about this release, please contact Ann Keyes at 417-766-2778 or ann.g.keyes.ctr@mail.mil.
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2013 13:53 |
| Story ID: | 104415 |
| Location: | WEBB CITY, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 200 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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