Courtesy photo
Honoring Those Currently Serving
Lance Corporal Donovan Marranca
Submitted by Michael T. Naya, Jr.
Kenilworth resident Lance Corporal Donovan Marranca, David Brearley Class of 2021 is currently serving in 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Company G, U.S. Marine Corps. Growing up Donovan attended Harding Elementary School and David Brearley Middle/High School. While in high school he played varsity football for the Brearley bears between 2017 – 2020. When asked why he enlisted he stated,
“I wanted to serve my country, do interesting things, and have experiences I couldn’t have anywhere else. I had one family member who was a Marine and I saw it as a way of giving back to my country.”
Marranca enlisted in the Marine Corps one week after turning eighteen on December 1, 2020. He left for boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina on August 16, 2021. He remained at Parris Island until November 12, 2021 before being sent to the school of infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina as a rifleman. Since hitting the fleet he’s been to Fort Jackson, South Carolina training with Marine Special Forces, Naval Base Norfolk, VA for one week conducting amphibious assault training in the Chesapeake Bay, and to Twentynine Palms, California for ITX (Integrated Training Exercise).
Although Donovan is scheduled to be discharged on August 16, 2025 but said he might extend his service for another deployment. On what it means to serve his country he commented,
“It is an honor to serve my country. I am proud to know that if something arises we can deploy at any given moment. We have proper equipment, proper training, and are prepared to do anything we can for our country.”
Donovan still keeps in touch with many of his friends from Kenilworth. He still frequently keeps in touch with U.S. Army soldier Nicolas Soriano, and fellow U.S. Marine Corps marine Jack Balwierczak. Both he and Jack are stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina so they see each other often.
“It is nice that we are both stationed here because it’s a friend from home. I get to visit Kenilworth often and am proud to serve as a Marine.”
Marranca also stated,
“Despite contrary belief the military has been a great opportunity and I’d recommend it to most who don’t know what they want to do after high school. Most of the situations I deal with would not apply to them unless they’re a combat related MOS. Despite how bad or upsetting things get I enjoy it. Even though some situations are annoying like sleeping in the woods, walking miles on patrol in the rain it has been a pretty enjoyable experience so far. I definittley don’t regret my decision and encourage all those interested.”
This is part III of an ongoing series honoring those currently serving in the U.S. military from Kenilworth. If anybody knows of those currently serving they should contact Michael T. Naya, Jr. at 732-986-7768.
