Suffolk News-Herald

One local couple, Daniel and Dianne Aronson, have a lot to be thankful for and they are thanking God each day for the two sons who bring them so much pride.

The Lake’s Edge Drive couple just received word that one of their sons, Navy Hospitalman Brandon Aronson, recently took part in the Navy’s annual &uot;Fleet Week USA&uot; celebration.

Aronson was part of the Navy’s largest annual salute to military personnel, a time when the Navy provides a look at where civilian tax dollars go.

&uot;Brandon was on the USS McFaul (DDG 74), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer home ported in Norfolk,&uot; said Dianne Aronson. &uot;It was one of the ships from the USS Enterprise Battle Group to make the journey to Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale for the Fleet Week celebration.

As for Daniel, he spoke at the festivities, saying he just wanted to meet people who genuinely care about what the Navy is doing for them and this country.

Along with Aronson’s speech, the city of Fort Lauderdale staged various events including an escort from the Goodyear Blimp, an air show, tours of the ships, and of course, there were plenty of parties and parades.

Daniel told his parents there were hundreds of sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel flooding the area. The event annually draws about 4 million spectators as it kicks off National Military Month.

A 1998 graduate of Hanks High School in El Paso, Tex.,

Aronson also spoke about his reasons for enlisting in the Navy.

&uot;My father is very patriotic and he decided to forfeit a well-paying civilian job to become a military medical officer,&uot; said Aronson. &uot;He is the strongest man I’ve ever met and I wish to follow in his footsteps. He is a medical officer with the U.S. Public Health Service, currently detailed to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.&uot;

As a Hospitalman, Brandon Aronson’s job contributes to the ship’s ability to complete its mission.

&uot;Ask anyone and they will tell you, there is no job in the US Navy more intensive, time consuming, and at the same time, very rewarding,&uot; said Brandon Aronson. &uot;My job includes sick calls, immunizing the crew, and just keeping the crew happy.&uot;

As for Daniel Aronson Jr.; he’s currently a member of the Army Reserves with the 424th Med Log Battalion in Qatar. He joined the Army at age 17, and was to retire in June this year. Like many other unsung heroes, he &uot;re-upped&uot; after the Iraqi war broke out.

&uot;He’s studying to be a Jehovah’s Witness and could have avoided further service if he’d chosen to do so,&uot; said Dianne Aronson. &uot;Daniel told his dad that he’d made a commitment to the Army and he wanted to follow through on it. We are so proud of both our sons.&uot;