Courtesy photo
Honoring Those Currently Serving
Submitted by Michael T. Naya, Jr.
Kenilworth resident Seaman Recruit Andy Morales, David Brearley Class of 2020 is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. Growing up Andy attended Roselle Park High School before attending David Brearley High School after moving to Kenilworth with his family in 2018. Throughout his high school career, he played varsity at both schools. After graduation he attended Kean University where he continued to play soccer. In addition to attending Kean, he worked as a waiter at Caetano’s Cucina alongside his family.
When asked why he enlisted he said,
“I joined the Navy as an opportunity to start my life. It wasn’t an easy choice. I knew what I was going to go through, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could be something. It’s an honor to serve the country and I am proud to be a sailor. I enlisted in December and left for bootcamp on January 4, 2023. It was hard saying goodbye to my family and friends, but I was doing this to make them proud. I was doing this to become a better version of myself. I want to be a good man and become the best version of myself.”
Morales attended boot camp in Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Chicago. After graduation from Bootcamp, he was sent to Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Technical Training Center. There he began Navy A School for five weeks and is now awaiting orders to be sent to C School for three weeks. In school he will learn to become an AO (Aviation Ordinance man).
Andy’s service to our country is a testimony that anybody can make an impact on their community. Countless Kenilworth residents have served in the U.S. military and Andy now joins those who proudly wear the uniform.
This is part I of an ongoing series honoring those currently serving in the U.S. military from Kenilworth. If anybody knows of anybody currently serving, they should contact Michael T. Naya, Jr. at 732 – 986 – 7768.
