It’s a family affair

CULLMAN, Ala. (AP) - It’s a new generation of patriotism for the Howell family in Cullman. Matt and Rena Howell have three sons, and all three have joined the Marines. Their father says the brothers were all very close growing up, and when one enlisted the others wanted to follow.

He says 21-year-old Cpl. Matthew Howell is stationed at Camp Legune, N.C., while 19-year-old Lt. Cpl. Zachary Howell is in California at Camp Pendelton. The youngest son, 17-year-old Blake, recently graduated from boot camp and is now at Camp Geiger in North Carolina waiting to be stationed somewhere. All graduated from Fairview High School and decided early on to go into the Marines and joined through the delayed entry program.

Rena Howell says sometimes she tried to discourage them from going into the Marines, saying: “I just wanted to make sure they knew what they were doing.“
   
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