Ashe County natives Kelly (left) and Lance (right) Roark are some of the young men that America produces who share a strong sense of duty and commitment to serving their country.

Kelly Roark joined the Army in September 2005, with basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, followed by Airborne school at Ft. Benning, Ga. Kelly’s first duty station was Ft. Bragg, NC, where he was deployed and served in Iraq from November 2006-January 2008. Currently an MP at Ft. Bragg Kelly is currently thinking about special forces. When asked why he would consider special forces, he replied “I don’t want to sit around at 60 years old and wish I had tried”.

Kelly admits that prior to joining the Army, he really was not very patriotic, but it didn’t take long for his admiration and respect for the veterans who came before him to bring out that strong sense of patriotism. Thinking about those who served in World War I and World War II, as well as his grandfather Mack Donald Roark who served in Korea, he admitted that he thinks he has had it easy compared to what they endured while serving. Kelly says “I really wish more people would walk up to the Veterans they see wearing these caps and take the time to to say ‘Thank you’. “


Following in his brother’s footsteps, younger brother Lance left this week for Infantry training at Ft. Benning, GA. He is hoping to also go to Airborne school and eventually Ranger school.