Home for the Holidays

BCS Communications

The holidays will be brighter for one Enka District family now that their soldier is back on U.S. soil.

Laremy “Will” Grimm graduated from Enka High School (‘18) and enlisted in the U.S. Army soon afterward. He finished basic training and was stationed in Poland for over a year. His cousin Aidan Penland, a first-grader at Sand Hill-Venable Elementary School, hadn’t seen or spoken to Will since he went abroad. Thursday, Aidan got the surprise of a lifetime as he listened to his teacher read to the class. Will unexpectedly strolled into the classroom with a big smile on his face.

“I love that little butterball of a kid,” said Will. “I’ve known him since he was in diapers. He was really sad and upset when I left, so I wanted to make his day.”

Aidan was shocked, but happy, to see his cousin. After a few minutes speaking to the class, Will and Aidan headed down to the cafeteria to eat lunch together. Will says he never imagined that he’d be where he is today after growing up in a small town in Western North Carolina. He says he strives for greatness and hopes Aidan will do the same.

“I’m a line medic, and I help save lives. I hope that one day he gets to branch out and be the greatest he can be,” said Will.The two plan to spend winter break eating ice cream and playing video games.

*Will was joined at the school Thursday by his girlfriend Tia, his grandmother, and Aidan's mother. Will says that "I invited my girlfriend Tia to be in uniform with me to show all the children that [the military] is not just a male profession. The young girls can also grow up to be soldiers as well.
Home for the Holidays

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