Chelmsford Independent
March 13 2010

Gregorian brothers follow in military dad’s footsteps

GateHouse News Service
Posted Mar 12, 2010 @ 07:07 AM

Chelmsford ‘ For Felix Gregorian, nothing could be prouder than having
two sons attending the most prestigious military academies in the
land.

Not even two service tours overseas with the United States Army in
Iraq and Afghanistan where he was immersed into a hotbed of hostility.

Say what you want about sibling rivalries but when Dro got accepted
into the Naval Academy at Annapolis, his brother Greg wasn’t to be
denied. On came his acceptance three years later to the Military
Academy at West Point.

Add it up and it represents nearly $400,000 in full scholarship
grants, not to mention the endorsements each received from their
Congressmen and support from the general community as well.

And should they be deployed like their dad, it goes with the
territory. Both boys are disciplined in the highest military order and
put their country before themselves.

Come May 29, Dro will graduate from Annapolis. He will take a leave
of absence throughout June, then return to the Naval Institute to
finish Introductory Flight Screening during July and August. Once
trained, he will report to a squadron and complete a three-year tour.

The deployment schedule typically includes a six-month stint
overseas, followed by another six months in the United States before
awaiting further orders. He credits his dad with guiding him in the
right direction.

`After researching and applying to different schools, I decided the
Naval Academy had the most to offer in terms of majors, sports,
extra-curricular activities and service assignments,’ said Dro. `My
father taught me it was an honor and privilege to serve. The branch
didn’t matter.’

At Chelmsford High School, he played varsity soccer and ran track.
Dro was a member of the North Andover AYF and served as chapter
president. He remained active with St. Gregory Church where he was
ordained as an acolyte and stole bearer.

At graduation, Dro had been offered full ROTC scholarships from the
Navy, Army and Air Force. His nomination to Annapolis came from U.S.
Congressman Martin T. Meehan.

A typical day starts at 6:30 a.m. with formation, then a full class
load. Afternoons consist of intramural sports and conditioning while
evenings are devoted to study time until 11 p.m. His major is
mechanical engineering

His freshman year, Dro went out for lightweight crew before joining
the high-power rifle team. As a first sergeant his sophomore year, his
role leaned toward the care and welfare of underclassmen in terms of
professionalism, military appearance, fitness and high academic
standing.

He later became company executive officer, taking command of 150
midshipmen, followed by a battalion administrative officer this
semester in charge of five company officers.

The fact his brother chose West Point and Army sent the boys off
toward opposite extremes, causing somewhat of a dilemma when the two
schools clash during their traditional football rivalry.

When Felix attended the game last fall with his wife Candace, the
parents divided their time on each side of the cheering section,
feeling somewhat unique about two sons in such a simultaneous ‘ yet
diverse ‘ setting.

`This year’s Army-Navy game was especially remarkable because of the
rivalry, not only between the two services but between my brother as
well,’ Dro admitted. `Despite our differences, we did spend the entire
game together with our family. I was especially pleased that day. Navy
won, of course, just like they’ve done for the past eight years.’

Brother Greg is a mirror image of his older brother who, no doubt,
carried a big influence in joining the military ranks. He, too, was a
scholar-athlete at Chelmsford High, graduating with a 3.75 GPA. He
captained the track team and played varsity soccer, filtering through
the AYF ranks with the North Andover Chapter and playing in the HMEM
Olympic Games. He was a member of two honor societies and like his
brother, served St. Gregory Church with diligence as a stole bearer
and acolyte.

`Seeing my brother apply was a huge reason for my application,’ said
Greg, who was recommended for appointment by U.S. Congresswoman Nikki
Tsongas.

`There is no question in my mind when it comes to becoming part of
the world’s most elite military. My brother’s insight was also
indispensable, as was my father’s initiative to attend. Growing up
with all the military toys, watching war movies and dressing as
soldiers during Halloween played a big influence in our younger years.
The military is my call.’

Straight out of high school, Greg was accepted to six of the nine
schools he applied. Much to his dismay, his three rejections were by
the military academies. He attended Virginia Tech for a year and
enrolled in the Marine ROTC program.

Greg reapplied to West Point and Annapolis, was turned down by the
Naval Academy but got the appointment to West Point.

`It was a hard decision leaving Virginia Tech and repeating my
freshman year, but the best one I could have made,’ he recalled.
`Forbes ranked West Point the Number one college in the nation and for
good reason. The military training and academic curriculum here are
top notch.’

His daily schedule is much like his brother’s ‘ austere and by the
book. Study, gym time, meals. marksmanship, land navigation and
treatment of combat wounds are among the required classes for plebes
(freshmen). Taps occur at 11:30 pm.

`It is not a normal college,’ Greg confirms. `There are no parties.
This is a disciplined institution which trains military officers for
the future.’

Currently ranked 836 in a class of 1,242 with a 2.7 GPA, Greg expects
to be deployed once he leaves here, but not necessarily to the Middle
East. Depending on where soldiers are needed and the branch of
service, it could be elsewhere for humanitarian purposes such as
Haiti. He hopes the concentration will be intelligence, armor, field
artillery or infantry.

`I’m prepared to serve my country wherever I’m needed,’ he says. `I
have no doubt the training I receive at West Point will prepare me for
deployment when that time comes. I thank all the men and women
currently serving America in the Armed Forces and those who have made
the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.’

Which all bodes well with the Patriarch General of this military
unit. Felix Gregorian offers a hearty salute to his two sons and
invites other Armenian youth to forge new avenues of approach with the
world. Someone has to serve and carry the torch of freedom and fight
for us all, he says.

In 2003, he made his Boston Marathon debut. The money he raised in
pledges went toward the building fund of St. Gregory Church in North
Andover. He also waged a personal mission to raise genocide awareness
in his community by designing and distributing special commemoration
pins.

He’s been with the Army Reserves 22 years and works in the
respiratory care program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. It wasn’t
until completing a service tour of Afghanistan did he learn about his
sons’ decisions. Both boys were bent on following in dad’s footsteps.

`We live in the best country with the best opportunities,’ he says.
`Our Armenian veterans are prominent in every conflict with every
nation down through the course of history. Many of them are members of
my church. These are Armenian-American heroes who’ve spent time on the
battlefields. They are proof that patriotism is alive and well. God
bless the Armenian Republic. God bless the United States of America.’

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