Michael Castro

Story courtesy the Castro Family

The journey began sophomore year for Michael. I sat him down one day and asked what his future plans were? Teenage answer. I don't know dad. I then told him he should start looking into either sports scholarships or try for an academic one. He then said, I think I'm going to join the Military. I was a little shocked at first this had not been brought up before and of course this was NOT on my list of things for him to do after graduating high school. I sat back and thought, well it's only his sophomore year I'm sure he'll get over it. I said well you think about that and we can talk about it later. But every time we did it was the same he was joining the military. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge that year, he loved it. He began to bring to bring military brochures home he began talking to recruiters and shortly after senior year started he began to go with the Marine recruiters to do physical training. I sat him down once more and asked him what it was he wanted to do after graduation? His answer, I'm Joining the Marines I want to do something that's not just for me. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge once again. He became more involved with Marines then graduation came, next thing I knew he was off to boot camp!

His journey for a title that few can claim began on Sept. 14, 2015 as a youth he played soccer and then football. In high school he was a football player first and then became a wrestler but he always kept his priorities straight he was passionate about whatever it was he was doing as long as he liked what he was doing he was relentless and would leave everything out on the field to win. He knew going in this would be a challenge unlike anything he had faced before he and all the other young men and women who volunteer to be put through 13 weeks of grueling mental and physical conditioning also know that someday they be called to defend us to put their lives on the line in some foreign country, knowing all that going in they are still willing to raise their hand and swear to protect us. Well there's just no words for that! My son has always been my hero from his first tackle to his last high school wrestling match! Love you Kidd. Always wants to be the best!