歪歪漫画

YOKOSUKA, Japan 鈥� Joseph Braam, who graduated from Bemidji High 歪歪漫画 in 2018, is now serving in the U.S. Navy.

Braam is currently stationed in Japan aboard a forward-deployed Naval warship as a petty officer third class.

鈥淚 was in junior ROTC in high school, which helped prepare me for the fleet,鈥� Braam said in a release. 鈥淚t was an easy transition already having basic military understanding and bearing.鈥�

Braam joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Braam serves as a gunner's mate.

鈥淚 joined the Navy to follow in my family's steps, serve my country and start a more productive life,鈥� Braam added. 鈥淚 am the third generation in my family to serve in the Navy and it gives me pride to be part of this history.鈥�

Braam serves in Japan as part of the forward-deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.

鈥淪erving in the Navy and serving my country means protecting and defending those who can't,鈥� Braam said. 鈥淲e go out and defend our allies from enemies who would act up if we didn鈥檛 have the presence we did.鈥�

He is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

鈥淚 would like to thank my mom and dad for raising me to be the man I am today,鈥� He left off. 鈥淏eing able to do my part in protecting my country and family gives me immense pride.鈥�

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