Families of our military will agree with the distance and unknown circumstances surrounding their loved one isn't easy. Whether their loved one is at boot camp, training, or serving on the other side of the world, their families are home trying to live life as normal as possible.

A Belvidere mother shared her son's story with us while nominating the young man to be a Q98.5 Hometown Hero. Michelle Szutkowski shared her son's story, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My son, Ty (Kilcullen), is a Private in the United States Army. He's a tracked vehicle mechanic and is currently in training to become part of the vehicle recovery team. He's currently at Fort Lee in Virginia and will head to Fort Carson in Colorado once training is over.  Due to covid, we were not able to attend his graduation from Basic Training, nor his graduation from AIT. Also due to covid, we cannot visit him and he's not allowed off of the Army post.

 

Ty's a strong young man, who played Quarterback for most of his football career playing with Kirkland's Hiawatha Hawks, and, when younger, with the GK Broncos. He was also a cadet and then a volunteer firefighter for Monroe Center before leaving for the Army. It's been a long road for him in the Army already, and covid has made is isolating and lonely.

 

I'd love to see him honored for his dedication to our community, our country, and himself. His 3 siblings and I miss him terribly and are very proud of him.

Michelle, it sounds like you raised a great boy who, as a man, is selflessly making all kinds of sacrifices for the sake of our country. Ty truly is a Hometown Hero.

As a Q98.5 Hometown Hero, Ty will receive a $100 Amazon gift card thanks to Gustafson's Furniture & Mattress.

You can nominate your Hometown Hero HERE.

 

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