Ceremony honors enlistees, family of fallen patriot at Jacksonville Suns game

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 200 military enlistees and the family of fallen patriot Kyle Nolan were honored Tuesday night as part of a nationwide recognition of Children of Fallen Patriots Day.

Nolan sacrificed his life for this country Dec. 21, 2006.

The ceremony took place at the Jacksonville Suns game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Children of Fallen Patriots raises money to help with education expenses for the children of military personnel who've lost their lives in service to the country.

Along with Nolan's family, soon-to-be high school graduates who plan to serve their country were honored by Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., a member of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee.

Crenshaw had nothing but praise for the enlistees.

"They do know where they are going, they are going to defend our country and take their place alongside some of the great heroes who served before them," Crenshaw said. "And they are to be thanked for that."

For Brett Scheilding, no thanks are necessary. He said joining the military is the right choice for him.

"I value it because of the traditions that are embodied in the military," Scheilding said. "I love the integrity, and I love the work that (the) military does, and and I'm glad that they are there. I'm very honored and humbled to be a part of that."

Crenshaw said he doesn't want the recruits to ever forget Tuesday's celebration.

"I travel all over the world to meet with our troops," Crenshaw said. "Maybe some day I'll meet them in some foreign land or on some ship."

Crenshaw said if he sees these recruits later, he wants them to remind him they were a part of the 2014 class that was honored in Jacksonville on Tuesday.