Kentlake High graduate Garrett Vogland never joined the Army with thoughts of being labeled a hero. As a wheeled vehicle mechanic, and an Army specialist, he just wanted to do the best job he knew how.
But Vogland, son of Deb Miles of Kent, found himself in just that role recently when he was announced at midfield during high school football’s biggest contest – the U.S. Army sponsored All-American Bowl.
Vogland was honored as a soldier, one of more than 90 throughout the Army who had been awarded either the Silver Star, Bronze Star or Purple Heart during deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan.
“I was selected for this honor because of injuries I sustained while deployed to Iraq,” Vogland said. “This personally means a lot to me because I got to meet young talented football players and tell them about my life in the military.”
Vogland says he believes that not only players, but young people overall, can benefit from serving their country, whether in the military, or in projects close to where they live.
Today, Vogland is a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C. He has deployed to the Middle East twice.
