Hometown Heroes: Local military members serving and on duty overseas during the holidays

Editor’s note: The Citizen recognizes our local military men and women serving our country away from home during the holiday season by publishing their names, photos and some information on each of them. Please contact The Citizen at 248-627-4332 or e-mail us at
citnews@citnewspaper.com.
SPC Aaron N. Engh, a 2007 Lake Orion High School graduate and resident of Ortonville, is a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. He is currently serving with the 1775th Military Police Company in Afghanistan.
After graduating from LOHS, Aaron began his studies at Oakland University. He joined the Army National Guard in 2009, and graduated from Fort Leonard Wood basic and MP advanced training in 2010. He was assigned to the Cheboygan National Guard Post, serving in the 46th Military Police Company. Aaron volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan with the 1775th Military Police Company in Pontiac. He deployed to Afghanistan in February 2011.
Aaron is the son of Walter and Susan Engh of Ortonville and brother of Joshua, also of Ortonville. This is Aaron’s first deployment.
‘Aaron will miss Christmas with his family this year,? Editor’s note: The Citizen recognizes our local military men and women serving our country away from home during the holiday season by publishing their names, photos and some information on each of them. Please contact The Citizen at 248-627-4332 or e-mail us at
citnews@citnewspaper.com.
SPC Aaron N. Engh, a 2007 Lake Orion High School graduate and resident of Ortonville, is a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. He is currently serving with the 1775th Military Police Company in Afghanistan.
After graduating from LOHS, Aaron began his studies at Oakland University. He joined the Army National Guard in 2009, and graduated from Fort Leonard Wood basic and MP advanced training in 2010. He was assigned to the Cheboygan National Guard Post, serving in the 46th Military Police Company. Aaron volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan with the 1775th Military Police Company in Pontiac. He deployed to Afghanistan in February 2011.
Aaron is the son of Walter and Susan Engh of Ortonville and brother of Joshua, also of Ortonville. This is Aaron’s first deployment.
‘Aaron will miss Christmas with his family this year,? said Walter, Aaron’s dad. ‘He misses our church, Mt. Zion in Clarkston, and is eager to resume his studies in marketing at Oakland University. He also misses home cooking. Aaron’s dog of 13 years, Rascal, died earlier this year. Just before Aaron was deployed he purchased a 2011 Kawasaki ZX 1000’he rode it one week and left with 400 miles on it. He misses Red Wings hockey, too.?
Aaron’s mother, Susan, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2011, about one week before his deployment to Afghanistan.
‘The Army gave him a one-day leave to visit his mother while she was in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac,? recalled Walter. ‘Doctors had removed two large tumors’one the size of a watermelon? from her. Aaron surprised her in the hallway near the nurse’s station at St. Joe’s. He picked her up and they hugged right there in the hallway. He left for Afghanistan later that day.?
Aaron said that Ortonville area soldiers SPC Nathan A Bodendorfer and Sgt. Eric Cobb are stationed near his base in Afghanistan.
Aaron will return home in late January 2012.

Editor’s note: The Citizen recognizes our local military men and women serving our country away from home during the holiday season by publishing their names, photos and some information on each of them. Please contact The Citizen at 248-627-4332 or e-mail us at
citnews@citnewspaper.com.
Sgt. Eric Cobb, a 2006 Brandon High School graduate, will celebrate his 24th birthday Dec. 13 in Afghanistan, where he is serving as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard.
Cobb joined the National Guard in 2006 and deployed to Afghanistan in January. He serves as a member of the military police.
Cobb is the son of Leah and Ronnie Cobb of Goodrich; brother of Krystal Cobb and Kasha Cobb, both of Goodrich, and Dean (Kristine) Cobb of Ortonville; uncle of Drake and Kiley Cobb; nephew of Rick Cobb; and grandson of Lisa Cobb of Ortonville.
This Christmas, he will miss his friends and family, including his Mamaw (grandmother Lisa), said mom Leah, who recently sent him a small Christmas tree, a birthday card, and snacks including Milkduds.
‘He misses all the things he can do here,? said Leah, who expects her son to return home in early 2012. ‘This is his first Christmas away from home. We will celebrate when he comes back.?
Air Force Senior Airman Marcus Pesavento is arriving home just in time for Christmas.
The 2006 Brandon High School graduate, 23, joined the Air Force in May 2008 and was deployed in July to Afghanistan. Pesavento works on aircrew flight equipment that would save the lives of aircrew members in the event of an aircraft going down.
Pesavento returned to the Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma on Nov. 29 and will fly into Detroit Metro Airport Dec. 24 for a one-week leave in Brandon Township. It will be very different than the leave he took here in May to see his mother, Gail, who was diagnosed with cancer in March.
‘He drove up in the driveway on Mother’s Day and told me he came home to take care of me for eight days,? recalls Gail. ‘I was going through chemotherapy at that time and slept more than I was awake. I felt bad because I wanted to spend time with him.?
Dominique Pesavento, Marcus? sister, cared for their mother during her illness, and Gail calls her ‘the best daughter in the whole world.?
Marcus said it was hard being away from his mom while she was sick.
‘It’s difficult when you can’t do anything to help,? he said. ‘It feels great to be back and will feel even better to be home. I am looking forward to the little things? not having to use a porta-potty everyday and having my own shower is really nice. My Mom is super excited she can cook meals for me now and happy she can get up and do activities with me? go bowling, go to a movie or something.?
Gail plans to make a roast for her son and cook something for him everyday he is home.
‘I decorated, got lights outside, just need to put a tree up for him,? said Gail, who hopes to return to her job at an auto dealership in Rochester Hills soon. ‘I’m just excited to see him. I couldn’t ask for a better Christmas present.?