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‘CLASS CLOWN’ RETURNS HOME DISCIPLINED AND READY TO BATTLE THE WORLD OF ACADEMIA
By Bobby Hastry
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., Oct 11 --- Four years ago when most high school students were searching for what college or university would be the perfect fit for them, Brian Ojalehto decided that college might not be what he wanted, at least not at this point.
A 22 year old, Brian Ojalehto a native of Maynard, Massachusetts, college wasn’t the right choice out of high school. Instead he decided to enroll at a different type of academy, the United States Marine Corps.
“I think if I would have gone to college when I was 18 I wouldn’t have taken it serious,” said Ojalehto who also mentioned that he won the yearbooks “class clown” his senior year in high school. “It was kind of something that I wanted to prove to myself that I could do and be proud of it. My grandfather, uncle and cousin were also in the Marines so I guess it’s in my genes.”
For Ojalehto school wasn’t for him at the time even though he did think about college before deciding on the Marines. College is a time when a child is away from their parent’s home cooking for the first time. It is a time when kids go off and experience the first feeling of what is described as “homesick”. That is probably one of the few similarities between becoming a Marine and becoming a freshman at college.
“I doubted my decision for about a week after boot camp ended. I was shipped out to San Diego, California by myself not knowing anyone. I became pretty homesick for the first time since I can remember.”
Ojalehto continued to train in California as the war continued in Iraq. The day came that Ojalehto knew was bound to come, and even sooner than expected for his mother Mary Ojalehto.
“I can’t explain the feelings and thoughts that I had when he was sent over to Iraq, It’s on your mind throughout the entire day,” said Mary Ojalehto. “You read the newspaper everyday and you hear about how bad it is over there and you hear of troop members that have died at war.”
The experiences in Iraq can only be explained by those who have been over to a foreign country fighting for something they believe so deeply in. “One of the reasons why I decided to become a Marine was because of the terrorist attacks that struck us in our homeland. I wanted to do something about it, I wanted to help a cause,” said Ojalehto.
Ojalehto was deployed to Iraq on three separate occasions. In between he was sent back to San Diego where he trained and worked occasionally. He was also lucky enough to get a trip home for some of his mom’s home cooking this past Thanksgiving. The five days he spent at home was the quickest five days that he remembers of.
Ojalehto who battled through boot camp, stationed in San Diego California, deployed to Iraq on three separate occasions returned home safely to his family and friends this past summer after serving his four years in the Marines.
Four years couldn’t pass by soon enough for Mary and Steve Ojalehto as both of their sons would finally be out of the Marines and safe at home. This past summer the Ojalehto parents were given their wish as their children returned home safely.
“I realize how lucky we are to have them home safe,” said Steve Ojalehto “I am very proud of what they accomplished, they stood by their decision to become a Marine.”
Brian is now a freshman at Umass Dartmouth where he is enjoying the chance to be a normal college student. “It was my plan the whole time to serve for four years then go to college to get an education. I am definitely enjoying myself now. It is a whole new experience.”
Ojalehto made the choice that only a few have the courage to make especially at such a young age. At a time when college seems to be one of the top priorities of American family’s one student knew that it wasn’t for him at the time. He has now made the transition from soldier to student and is having no problems in doing so. “The school work hasn’t been too bad and I don’t mind classes to much even though I do get antsy because I am not used to having so much freedom.”
“There are good and bad memories from being over there and I think about them all and all those who fought at my side, but it’s not something that I think about constantly. It doesn’t bother me and I am able to now enjoy college life.”