Farmington residents Richard and Cheryl Higley are welcoming their son home from U.S. Marine service in Afghanistan Wednesday evening.
Corporal Zachary M. Higley, who wil turn 22 on Friday, is an electrician for the Marines, according to his mother. Higley is the youngest of his siblings and a longtime Farmington Valley resident, she said.
"We need to welcome all of our soldiers home," Cheryl Higley wrote in an email to Patch. "It is not only important that we support them when they are serving and away from home - it is vital to let them know that their service is always appreciated. There is no better way than to give them a big 'welcome home, you have been missed!'"
There is a longstanding history of military service in his family.
"He joined the Marines before he graduated from high school," Cheryl Higley wrote in an email to Patch. "Both of his grandfathers and his maternal grandmother served in the military in WWII. His maternal grandmother was a lifelong resident of Farmington."
Zachary Higley graduated from EC Goodwin Tech in 2009 and is an apprentice electrician.
Higley followed in his father's footsteps as a firefighter, currently volunteering as a firefighter and EMT for Tunxis Hose. At age 14, he joined the fire department's cadet program and became an MRT and EMT, his mother said.
"Zach has been involved with the fire department all of his life because his Dad was always involved with the fire service and his Dad is currently the Fire Chief for Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1," Cheryl Higley said.
Zachary Higley is also a 7th Armored Division Association member, where his maternal grandfathers also belonged as WWII Army veterans.
Do you know Corporal Zachary M. Higley? Welcome him home by posting a comment!
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