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Tyler LaPierre stood in the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules
transport aircraft parked on the ramp of the 120th Airlift Wing,
raised his right hand and repeated the oath of enlistment in front
of his family and future coworkers the afternoon of August 31, 2016.
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August 31, 2016 - Tyler LaPierre recites the oath of enlistment during his Montana
Air National Guard enlistment ceremony in the cargo hold of a C-130
Hercules transport aircraft parked at the 120th Airlift Wing in
Great Falls, Montana. His aunt, Capt. Jennifer LaPierre
Gunter, administered the oath. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by
Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson)
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Tyler may be the newest member of the Montana Air
National Guard, but he wasn't standing on unfamiliar
territory. That's because he represents the third generation
of LaPierres who are serving or have served as members of
the MTANG.
His father, Master Sgt. Doug LaPierre, is a crew chief on the same
Hercules aircraft he recited his oath on. His aunt, Capt.
Jennifer LaPierre Gunter, a medical administrator in the
120th Medical Group, administered the oath to Tyler during
the enlistment ceremony. His grandfather, retired Master
Sgt. Larry LaPierre, served as an avionics technician in the
MTANG aircraft maintenance field for over 30 years.
Altogether, Doug estimates seven LaPierre family members
have a combined total of over 125 years of serving in
uniform for their state and nation.
Tyler said when
he was younger his father would take him on trips to the
base on Gore Hill to see the aircraft and visit his shop.
The base tours and the LaPierre family tradition made
joining the MTANG an easy choice to make.
“It was
pretty inspiring,” Tyler said. “It made me feel like it was
a really respectable position and I felt like I could do
it.”
Doug followed in his father Larry's footsteps
when he made his career in the aircraft maintenance field
and he is now proud to see his son do the same for him.
“It brings back a lot of good memories from when my dad
wanted me to get into the guard,” Doug said. “The last 18
years with him (Tyler) have flown right on by and watching
him enlist today is just amazing.”
LaPierre family
members have built a proud legacy of service which will now
continue with Tyler's enlistment into the MTANG.
“The LaPierre last name up here has a pretty good reputation
up here, especially in the aircraft maintenance side, so we
just want to continue that for sure,” Doug said. “I really
appreciate the opportunity for my son to continue that
legacy.”
Tyler is beginning his senior year at
Charles M. Russell High School in Great Falls and will
attend United States Air Force Basic Training and technical
training school following his graduation. He will train to
become a C-130 Hercules crew chief on the flight line, just
like his father.
“My dad inspired me to become a crew
chief, he's been a crew chief up here for numerous years,”
Tyler said. “It feels pretty great carrying on the
tradition.”
By U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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