Thankful for Fourth of July freedom

The Journal Reporter is grateful for all the men and women who fought to make the United States of America an independent country as well as all of those who continue to serve to preserve our freedoms. Tyler Scott in training to become MarineTyler Scott of Pike County left for Parris Island April 7 and he will graduate as a Marine on July 3. He graduated from Pike County High School in 2012. He is in 2nd Battalion, Fox Company, Platoon 2048. He is the son of Todd and Debbie Scott of Zebulon, the grandson of Dottie Klawetter of Zebulon and the brother of Blake and Jenni Scott of Concord.’We’ll all be attending family day and graduation. We’re so excited and proud,’ said Jenni Scott. ‘We’ve been in touch with him via mail only and he’s doing well. His parents and supportive girlfriend, Hannah Nelson, have been faithful to write him every day.’He qualified the very first day of swim week and shot in the top three of his platoon during fire week. His military occupational specialty will be aircraft mechanic. He will be home for 10 days after graduation before leaving for combat training in North Carolina.’He looks forward to attending a patriotic celebration on July 4, in his new, and very earned, Marine uniform,’ said Jenni Scott.Thomas Gill serves aboard USS BataanPetty Officer Thomas Gill of The Rock has served in the Navy for two years as a Machinist’s Mate. Gill is serving on his first deployment on USS Bataan (LHD 5).’I joined the Navy because my grandfather was in the Navy and my father was in the Army, so family tradition stepped in along with my aptitude for machinery and made taking the recruiter’s offer an easy choice. I feel like serving was the right thing to do,’ said Gill.  ‘I operate, repair, and perform maintenance on main propulsion equipment such as turbines, boilers, generators, and pumps. We work long hours, but I find a huge sense of fulfillment when I hear the plant come whirring to life.’Since deployed, Bataan has conducted two rescues at sea. On March 8 Bataan rescued two Turkish mariners from their sinking cargo ship in the Aegean Sea. On June 6 Bataan rescued 282 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea after one of their small vessels sank. Bataan brought them onboard the ship, providing medical attention, food, water and temporary shelter.Bataan is deployed in the U.S. Navy 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). Bataan departed from Naval Station Norfolk for an eight-month deployment Feb. 8.The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation.