Mokena Honors Resident Heading To Air Force Academy

MOKENA, IL — Marcus McCarty, a Mokena resident who is heading to basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, was honored with a proclamation from Mokena at Monday's village board meeting.

McCarty, son of Daniel and Toni McCarty was born and raised in Mokena, according to the proclamation. During high school, he was enrolled in both honors and AP classes and was a National Honors Society member.

McCarty became a member of Lincoln-Way Community High School's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps during his freshman year, according to the proclamation.

He earned the 2018 superior performance ribbon, the 2019 Aerospace Education Foundation academic badge, the 2020 Ohio Valley Leadership School Academic Award, and was inducted into the Air Force Kitty Hawk National Honor Society, the proclamation states.

McCarty, who decided to pursue a career as an Air Force officer, competed for less than 1,200 openings at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He received an official nomination to attend the Air Force Academy from Congressman Bobby Rush, and received an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, according to the proclamation.

He will begin basic cadet training in June, followed by four years at the academy. McCarty will then be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in May 2025.

"I'm really looking forward to serving America, it's a real honor," McCarty said at the meeting.

"We're very proud of you," Trustee Debbie Engler said.

"I just want to thank young men and women like Marcus McCarty for stepping forward and serving this country just like many other young men and women have in the past," Trustee Jim Richmond said.