Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption=""To support and defend" – Col. Allen Denny administers the oath of allegiance to John Carolan, Tyler Curran, Holdun Reed, and David Terracino just prior to their receiving the rank as second lieutenant. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)"]
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FRANKFORT, Ky. – Four brand new lieutenants were commissioned before a crowd of family, friends and fellow Soldiers in a ceremony conducted at the Boone National Guard Center on April 3, 2012.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="173" caption=""Today's generation of professional Soldiers is the next greatest generation," said Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini during OCS commissioning ceremonies at Boone National Guard Center on April 4. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)"]
The graduates – each a product of the Kentucky Army National Guard's Winter Accelerated Officer Candidate School – included 2nd Lt. John M. Carolan, 2nd Lt. Tyler C. Curran, 2nd Lt. Holdun M. Reed and 2nd Lt. David S. Terracino.
Maj. Gen. Ed Tonini, adjutant general for Kentucky, spoke highly of the recruits and the role they will play in the modern National Guard.
"We once called those who fought World War II 'the greatest generation'," he said. "Well, to me, today's generation of professional Soldiers is the next greatest generation. They are part of the less than one percent who has sworn an oath to uphold the constitution and defend this nation."
To newly promoted Curran the day was a significant milestone. "It's kind of surreal, but it is a great feeling," he said. "Ever since I was a little boy and growing up with the military it's been a lifelong dream that's been realized today."
Reed comes from a family with a continuing military tradition. His great uncle was a World War II Army veteran and his grandfather is a former U.S. Navy SeaBee. The oldest of five siblings, Reed has one sister currently undergoing basic training for the Navy and another at Fort Jackson going through basic for the Army. And as if that wasn't enough, his brother is enrolled at West Point.
"All I have to do now is get the youngest one in," he laughed.
The four "butter bars" have already received their assignments. Carolan is with Headquarters Co., 103rd Battalion Support Brigade; Curran is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery; Reed joins 2nd Battalion,138th Field Artillery; and Terracino is with 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Tyler Curran receives the rank of second lieutenant in the Kentucky Army National Guard from his wife, Jessica. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)"]
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption=""I'm glad he's pursuing what he wants to do," said Blanche Terracino as her husband Jim presents their son David with the rank of second lieutenant. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)"]
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Holdun Reed receives the rank of second lieutenant from his father, C. Derek Reed during commissioning ceremonies conducted at Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, on April 4. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)"]
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Happy son, proud dad and mom – 2nd Lt. John Carolan and his parents, Pat and Pam Carolan following his commissioning as a Kentucky National Guard officer. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)"]
