Peyton Holtz stood in the Navy Junior ROTC office hallway at Nease High School talking to Master Chief Petty Officer John Duffy like any cadet catching up on recent happenings at Nease. But his uniform — dark grey wool tunic, grey pants and shiny black shoes — set Holtz apart from the other cadets that roam the campus. He looks as though he has just stepped out of the pages of a military magazine.
Holtz is a senior at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a former Nease cadet who has wanted to pursue a military career since he was 5 years old.
"Some people get in on a whim," Holtz said. "I spent my whole life wanting to do this."
It wasn’t an easy process for the St. Johns County native. He attended Nease’s Navy Junior ROTC academy, and when the time came, he applied to West Point and received his Congressional nomination from Congressman John Mica.
Unfortunately, there was a hold up.
Holtz broke his neck in 1998 at the age of 12 and was in traction. He healed fully, playing football in middle and high school and never had another problem with his neck. But the medical review board denied him entrance to his dream school.
"They said I was not fit for duty and actually closed my file," said Holtz. "I called them every day for 97 days. Two weeks before Reception day, I got the notification that I had been accepted."
Holtz shares his story to inspire kids to follow their dreams and encourage them to serve their country. Back in town for the holiday weekend, Holtz visited St. Johns County schools and spoke to students at all of the ROTC academies.
"I think that there are any number of ways you can serve the nation," said Holtz. "I don’t want people to take for granted their freedom."
Holtz will graduate from West Point in May and he plans to go into infantry training when he returns from leave. He hopes to be stationed in North Carolina and is not worried about being sent to war.
He said, "I think the best place for me is to be right where the bullets are popping. I think that there is a purpose for me."
December 1st 2008 - 8:45PM