Cathy and Tommy Mullins have longed for the day to empower high schoolers enlisting in the military. Friday, in honor of their late son Brandon Mullins, they were able to gift 21 students throughout the city $100 and a small gift bag each before they head to basic training this summer.
Brandon died in Afghanistan in 2011 after driving a vehicle over an IED as an active soldier. Since then, Cathy and Tommy have collaborated with businesses, veteran services organizations, and more to spread the memory of their son.
Donations went to students at area high schools as follows:
- 13 at Daviess County High School
- 5 at Apollo High School
- 2 at Owensboro High School
- 1 at Owensboro Innovation Academy
Each student was given a bag with gifts from different veteran service organizations, including $100 from the Mullins Foundation, a new wallet from Veterans Empowered Together (V.E.T.), a challenge coin from VFW Post 696, and a hero card about Brandon Mullins.
“It wasn’t expected; it’s awesome, and it makes me feel better going in,” said senior Luke Sternquist. “There’s a lot of support. I already had a lot of support from my family, but more support is just great.”
Sternquist enlisted in the Marines and is set to go to basics this July. His classmate Charlie Smith was also surprised to receive support before leaving for basic training.
Smith is completing the split-ops program, so he will have some experience before he graduates from high school next year. He hopes to start his military career and become an officer when he finishes.
“I wanted to walk in my grandpa’s footsteps, though I did want to form my own path. When I was younger, my grandpa always told me when I got into the military to become an officer, and I took that advice. I’m hoping to apply that to my career,” Smith said.
Cathy and Tommy Mullins said that providing this support and inspiration to the students is the hope of the Mullins Foundation.
“It’s important for them to know there are people that truly appreciate their service,” Cathy said. “It’s not an easy thing to do. Just to get to that point and to choose to serve your country knowing what’s going on in the world and in the news, it takes a special person.”
