Oregonlive.com
Tigard High School graduate Sidney Tan will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point this fall
Not many high school seniors know exactly what they want to do with their lives after graduation -- planning falls somewhere between the cap toss and four years.
For Tigard High School's Sidney Tan, however, his plan started in the sixth grade. On June 28, he will begin college and a career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
It was never a question of if; Tan is third-generation military. "I'd like to make a career of it, like my dad did," he says.
Tan's father, Sonny, a retired Army colonel, served in Desert Storm and Afghanistan. His grandfather served in the Cambodian army.
"I've always had the utmost respect for people in uniform," Tan says. "Their commitment and sacrifice means so much to me."
He added: "Even as a little kid, I really liked that uniform."
Soon he'll be wearing one as a 'plebe' when basic training ends in August. "The lowest of the low," Tan says, looking forward to when he will graduate as a commissioned second lieutenant.
"Words can't even describe it," he says. "I can't wait to get out there."
You don't just apply and pack for West Point. Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. David Wu formally nominated Tan months ago. In February, he personally received the good news from the senator.
"I saw the 202 area code on my phone," said Tan. "That call was definitely something."
Tan has years of tough physical and mental work ahead. After graduating, he will have more years of service in the U.S. Army. He looks forward to all of it with an excited smile. "It's a dream come true. I'm counting down the days."
Tan is considering a medical career after service, saying, "I want to have something to fall back on."
For Tigard High School's Sidney Tan, however, his plan started in the sixth grade. On June 28, he will begin college and a career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
It was never a question of if; Tan is third-generation military. "I'd like to make a career of it, like my dad did," he says.
Tan's father, Sonny, a retired Army colonel, served in Desert Storm and Afghanistan. His grandfather served in the Cambodian army.
"I've always had the utmost respect for people in uniform," Tan says. "Their commitment and sacrifice means so much to me."
He added: "Even as a little kid, I really liked that uniform."
Soon he'll be wearing one as a 'plebe' when basic training ends in August. "The lowest of the low," Tan says, looking forward to when he will graduate as a commissioned second lieutenant.
"Words can't even describe it," he says. "I can't wait to get out there."
You don't just apply and pack for West Point. Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. David Wu formally nominated Tan months ago. In February, he personally received the good news from the senator.
"I saw the 202 area code on my phone," said Tan. "That call was definitely something."
Tan has years of tough physical and mental work ahead. After graduating, he will have more years of service in the U.S. Army. He looks forward to all of it with an excited smile. "It's a dream come true. I'm counting down the days."
Tan is considering a medical career after service, saying, "I want to have something to fall back on."
1 comment:
Congratulation, it's nice to see Khmers joining a U.S elite military school. Only privileged children can enter this U.S military institution and they have to be nominated by diplomats, politicians and congressmen etc. to be accepted by the school.
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