Southland Soldier Wiggins Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant

I would like to introduce to the Chicago Heights and Homewood-Flossmoor Patch community to 2nd Lieutenant Patrick Ryan Wiggins.

I had the honor this past Saturday Dec 8, 2012 of placing my eldest son’s officer bars on his right shoulder. Patrick has served in the Army as an enlisted soldier since 2006 having two tours of the Iraq war under his belt. He earned both his Air assault wings, Airborne patch and rank of Sergeant before seeking to become and Officer Cadet. He is a graduate of Bloom High School, attended Prairie StateCollege, and finished at Chicago State University, where he earned a degree in psychology.

The promotion from Cadet to Officer Ceremony took place in the Pritzker Military Library at 104 S.Michigan Avenue with 6 other Officer candidates in attendance. Patrick ascended from being a welldecorated Enlisted Soldier to an Officer and it simply makes my heart swell with indescribable emotion.There is so much I would to say about Patrick, I just do not know where to start. The best thing I can say is Congratulation son!

“Pressure Makes Diamonds”

—Arthur W. Wiggins Jr.