Chris Twigg, 25, Richard Krout II, 23, and Quetzalcoatl Carrasco, 27, aren’t veterans yet. But, due to their current military service and the sacrifices each makes, along with those of their families, they should be recognized when America honors veterans of all wars on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Chris is a member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Unit, the White Falcons, and is currently deployed in Iraq, where he provides Security Over Watch at a critical airbase.
At Ft. Bragg, N.C., he’s a Specialist Armorer controlling high-value inventories of weapons while maintaining strict records.
Richard is a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been stationed on Okinawa, Japan for the past two years. He is a ground radio technician and is responsible for trouble shooting and repairing tactical communications equipment.
As a kid, Richard had first-hand experience with the Marine Corps. His dad, Rick Krout, Director of Talent Development at Walbridge, served in the Marines from 1986 to 2007, when he retired as Chief Warrant Officer 4.
Quetzalcoatl is a 2014 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and serves as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Chemical Corps. He’s currently studying at a 22-week Chemical Captains Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Rick said his son “grew up with a strong sense of patriotism and desire to serve. He felt like military service was his opportunity to contribute to the freedom we enjoy.”
Strong Family Support
Eric Twigg, Group Vice President at Walbridge, said both of Chris’s grandfathers served in the military.
“I understood Chris’s desire to take on the challenge of the Army Special Forces journey,” he said. “In his words, ‘If I don’t do this now, I may regret not trying for the rest of my life.’”
Antonio Carrasco, Assistant Chief Estimator for Walbridge, said he supported his son’s decision as a high school student in Ypsilanti to seek nomination for admission to West Point. “I thought West Point would provide an excellent education,” Antonio said.
When Rick and Eric get the chance to speak to their sons, both men say the discussions cover training, upgrading skills, and life back at home.
“Last time we spoke,” Rick said, “we discussed the Marine Corps Martial Arts instructor certification he just completed. And plans for his next visit home.”
“Chris talks about what he needs in his next box from home,” Eric said. “He asks how his dog is doing at his girlfriend’s parents’ house. He talks about the 120-degree temperatures and his experiences with coalition soldiers – British, Danish, Iraqi.”
Antonio helped his son move a few weeks ago from Fort Drum in New York to his new assignment in Missouri.
“I told him I was very proud of him and that I love him,” Antonio said.
The safety of the three men serving in the military is frequently on the minds of their families.
“He’s always in our prayers,” Rick said. “I’m confident in our military leaders and his ability to perform in any situation he will confront.”
“I know Chris has been trained well and can survive / thrive in tough situations,” Eric said. “When he comes home on leave at Christmas or block leave, then we can reconnect and I can see how his experiences have only added to the remarkable son he is.”
Quetzalcoatl’s two months of service in Afghanistan caused his father some worries. “He returned safely,” Antonio said. “And I’m grateful for that.”
Each father hopes that military experience will leave a positive, lasting impression on these young men.
“I wish for his continued growth as a man and as a leader of men,” Antonio said.
“I’ve told Chris, ‘Learn how to lead from the front,’“ Eric said.
Rick said he hopes Richard will experience “the strong sense of camaraderie and esprit de corps that servicemen and servicewomen share.”
On October 15, Richard Krout II returned to the United States from his overseas tour and is stationed with the Amphibious Assault Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Yaotequia Carrasco, Quetzalcoatl’s brother, is an Assistant Project Manager for Walbridge in Detroit.