For more than 230 years, the Marine Corps has trained America’s finest young men to fill the ranks of the world’s most elite fighting force. Jacob Wilburn from Lewisburg is one of these men.

Jacob, the son of Ricky and Sylvia Wilburn, is a 2018 graduate from Marshall County High School. He recently completed 13 weeks of Marine Corps training at Parris Island, SC, graduating June 28, 2019. Jacob is presently at Camp Geiger, a satellite facility of Camp Lejeune, located in Jacksonville, NC. All Marines who graduate from boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, attend the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger. After the training at this facility, Jacob plans to be stationed in Pensacola, FL.

Jacob received a ten day leave between boot camp and Camp Geiger. During this time, he was honored on July 6th with a welcome home dinner at the home of his aunt and uncle, Stan and Kathy Welch Hill in Fayetteville. He was reunited with his family who was delighted to see him after the 13 weeks of boot camp.

His family has supported him with his decision to enter the Marine Corps, but it has been hard to let him go. All parents have a hard time when their children leave home, but it is more difficult for Ricky and Sylvia. You see, Jacob was adopted when he was 18 months old. They traveled to Ukraine in September, 2001 to bring him home. They found him confined to a crib along with 30 other children. He weighed only 18 pounds and was unable to crawl or walk. While in Ukraine, the terrorist attacks in the United States occurred and they were not allowed to come home for several weeks. Their family was devastated. They were so afraid Ricky, Sylvia, and Jacob would not make it home safely. Finally, they returned to Lewisburg with their baby boy, whom they were so proud of.

Ricky and Sylvia sought help through the Child Development Center to help with Jacob’s development skills. The teachers, as well as Ricky and Sylvia, worked diligently with him everyday. Because he had loving parents and a full support system, it did not take long for him to become a normal, healthy toddler who is a kindergarten graduate, high school graduate, a graduate of the Marine Corps boot camp, and soon a graduate of the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger.

If you happen to see Jacob while he is on leave, shake his hand – pat him on the back. Tell him you are proud of the man he has become and thank him for supporting our country.