Photo By Sgt. Dylan Walters | Kade and Kyleigh Dillon pose for a photo with their parents at Recruiting Sub Station...... read more read more
LEXINGTON, S.C.—Two siblings from the local area have decided to continue the legacy created by their father and uncle and are now on their way to U.S. Marine Corps basic training together.
Kade Dillon, a recent graduate of Chapin High School in Lexington, South Carolina, had aspirations of becoming a U.S. Marine ever since he could remember.
“I always wanted to join because of my dad and my uncle,” said Kade. “I wanted to change myself to be better, to be the best person I can be.”
As a child Kade was frequently in the presence of current and retired U.S. Marines. This would greatly impact the path in life he would choose to take.
“Every day growing up around the Marines I saw that comradery and determination,” said Kade. “Looking at them gave me that motivation to take the same challenge they did.”
Seeing the examples set by his father and uncle, Kade was determined to follow in their footsteps.
“Growing up I saw a lot of determination in my Dad because of his time in the Marine Corps,” said Kade. “Seeing that he got to where he is now by enlisting gave me the encouragement that I could do the same.”
Although Kade was already determined to take that challenge, his older sister Kyleigh was still unsure of what route she wanted to take.
“I think the influence to get her to join came a little more from me. She saw why I wanted the Marine Corps,” said Kade. “The more she spoke with our recruiter, the more she realized this is the journey she wanted as well.”
When asked what he is looking forward to when he arrives at boot camp, Kade said, “I’m nervous to stand on the yellow footprints, but at the same time that’s what I’m most excited for. Taking this challenge with my sister is comforting, knowing that she will understand exactly what I’m going through.”
Kyleigh, Kade’s older sister, reflects about how her family, especially her uncle, had a large impact on her decision to join the U.S. Marine Corps.
“My uncle is one of my biggest inspirations in my life,” said Kyleigh. “I want to have the same strength that I knew my uncle had so I would be able to carry myself just like him.”
The Dillons lost their uncle, Cpl. Matthew Dillon, on December 11, 2006. Cpl. Dillon, a military police officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, was killed in action during a patrol in the Ambar province in Iraq.
“My uncle is someone my entire family looks up to,” said Kyleigh. “My brother and I want his legacy to live on through us. We want him to be proud of the challenge we’re taking.”
Kyleigh was reluctant at first because of the thought of enlisting at 23 years old.
“I was nervous about joining later in life. Everyone always pushes college right after high school, and I would be older than many of my peers,” said Kyleigh. “After talking with my recruiter and seeing what opportunities I could have, I knew I made the right choice.”
Unbeknownst to her father, Kyleigh had decided to embark on the same challenge as her brother.
“My dad had no idea that I came into the [recruiting] office until the day I enlisted,” said Kyleigh. “Once I came home and told him, he said was extremely proud of me and that he believed in me.”
Although her father and uncle had laid the foundation for her, Kade served as the final bit of encouragement for her.
“My brother had a lot of influence to get me into the office,” said Kyleigh. “I know that other branches offer a challenge but the way the Marine Corps displays itself is something I wanted to stand by.”
Faced with doubt from some of those around her, Kyleigh was convinced she could prove them wrong.
“There were some people that didn’t think I could do it,” said Kyleigh. “For those that doubted me, a challenge is a challenge, and I always see myself as stronger than that challenge.”
Kade and Kyleigh shipped out for boot camp together on September 11, 2022. Before they left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island they wanted to leave each other with a piece of advice.
“It’s going to be tough, but you have to embrace it,” said Kade. “Just keep moving through it. No matter how tired you are, how sore you are, just keep reminding yourself that you got this.”
“Take all opportunities you get, don’t hold yourself back,” said Kyleigh. ”He has aspirations to travel and see change. I want to keep encouraging him to go see change and keep him moving forward.”
Their father, Michael Dillon, who also served as a military police officer in the Marine Corps added, “It’s all about your state of mind, they know it will be difficult but I know they can do it.”
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| Date Taken: | 10.31.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2022 15:02 |
| Story ID: | 432371 |
| Location: | LEXINGTON , SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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