Colonel John Persano, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, was honored by his daughter as the subject of her First Place essay in the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation annual contest.
Students this year were asked to answer the question “Who is your hero and why?”
The “Honor, Courage and Commitment” Essay Contest encourages middle school and high school students in San Diego and Imperial Counties to develop and improve their thinking and writing skills as they address core values of our society.
Woodland Park Middle School eighth grader, Erica Persano, took first place in the middle school division. Erica chose to write about her father. She characterizes him as “an amazing parent, leader, teacher and friend.” Erica cited examples of her father’s leadership in the community and at home and concludes that: “My Dad, John Persano, will always be my role model and hero because of his selfless and devoted actions. I strive to become a supportive, caring, and bold person, just like my dad. I have always admired his personality. He has always had a drive to help people and has shown me that it takes hard work and sacrifice to contribute to a greater good. I know that in order to follow in his footsteps, I need to work at gaining these quality traits.“
Erica and her Dad, Colonel John Persano, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Colonel Persano joined the Reserve in 1992 and has served as an aviator and civil/military integration officer. He has been deployed four times to the Middle East and Asia. In her essay, Erica expressed her admiration for his willingness to risk his life to pick up wounded while serving as a helicopter pilot as well as his ability to bring joy to others by helping to start a youth soccer league in Afghanistan. Colonel Persano also has taught classes at San Diego State University.
His daughter Erica received $300 and a plaque for her winning essay and was honored in a ceremony at her school to recognize her achievement. Major General Bob Butcher (USMC-retired), the Chairman of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and essay contest founder and WWII pilot, Major Glenn Ferguson (USMC-retired), were on hand at the ceremony to present Erica with her award.
Each teacher could only submit their two best essays from each class. Panels of volunteers at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and Historical Foundation as well as certified teachers associated with the University of San Diego selected the final winners. More than 1100 students in San Diego and Imperial Counties participated in the contest.
The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation sponsors the annual essay contest in collaboration with the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and the Character Education Resource Center at the University of San Diego.
About the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation
Through its support of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, the Foundation helps to preserve the history of U.S. Marine Corps aviation, honor military service, and inspire in all generations an appreciation of America’s freedoms and values. The Foundation has established a collaboration with the Character Development Resource Center at the University of San Diego to provide lessons in US history, leadership, character, patriotism and aviation science.
About the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is the only museum primarily dedicated to U.S. Marine Corps aviation, with the largest and most complete collection of vintage aircraft flown by Marine pilots in the world. The collection includes many extremely rare and historically significant artifacts and aircraft from WWI to present day. There are 31 aircraft currently on display, including “Lady Ace”, the CH-46 helicopter that evacuated the U.S. ambassador from the rooftop of the embassy in Saigon on April 30, 1975. The Museum is open to the public six days per week and admission is free. The Museum welcomes more than 28,000 visitors annually, and has attracted over 25,000 vintage aircraft enthusiasts on its Facebook page. The Museum hosts “Open Cockpit Days” and “Picnic with Pilots” events May through August.
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A Hero in Disguise by Erica Persano
by Flying Leathernecks | Feb 15, 2019 | 2018 Essay Contest, Essay Contest
Middle School, First Place Winner – 2018 Essay Winner
Teacher, Laura Whitney
A Hero in Disguise
When you picture someone dressed in a fancy costume with a cape, the word that comes to mind is “hero.” A hero can be as ordinary as a parent, friend, or even a celebrity. What makes a hero is not a cape or super powers, but the fact that they put others before themselves. My dad, Colonel John Persano, is an outstanding Marine because he is a selfless leader, risks his life for the sake of others, and is devoted to his work and family.
My dad is an outstanding, selfless leader because he always takes charge and supports his family, friends and Marines. He never asked his Marines to do anything he wouldn’t do himself, and sets an example to follow. My father has been a Marine for 26 years. He was a pilot for 18 years, flying a CH-46 helicopter. He was deployed four times for seven months to Asia and the Middle East. He trained his Marines and helped people after natural disasters. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005, after 9/11. He also deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 for eight months where he fought the Taliban and helped Afghans rebuild the country. He was responsible for getting girls a fair education, build schools, get medicines for hospitals, and build the police force.
Furthermore, my father is fearless and risks his life to protect others. He stands in the line of danger for the sake of others. During those three times he was deployed, he flew helicopters, picked up wounded Marines, and took them to safety. Not only did he risk his life for others, he also brought joy into other’s lives. He helped start a youth soccer league in Afghanistan in 2010, while helping Afghans rebuild their homes, schools, and hospitals. I will always look to my dad as a role model because of his leadership. He has inspired me to love learning and appreciate my education. He has pushed me to be in all honors classes. I have always worked hard with my schoolwork and hope to have an amazing future.
Moreover, my dad is fully devoted to his work and family. He is currently a Colonel in the USMC and a professor at SDSU where he teaches Homeland Security. He devotes his time to help students with their writing and finding jobs after graduation. He also travels around the country for Homeland Security, helping police and firemen respond to natural disasters. He has always supported our family; whether it’s taking me to school at 5:30am, or driving my sister’s hours away for soccer games, he is always there for us. He has shown me that it’s important to be there for the people you love – especially the ones that need you the most. I have always helped my friends and family with whatever they need, whether it’s schoolwork or something personal.
My dad, John Persano, will always be my role model and hero because of his selfless and devoted actions. I strive to become a supportive, caring, and bold person, just like my dad. I have always admired his personality. He has always had a drive to help people and has shown me that it takes hard work and sacrifice to contribute to a greater good. I know that in order to follow in his footsteps, I need to work at gaining these quality traits. He is my hero, not because he wears a cape, but because I could only hope to become the amazing parent, leader, teacher, and friend.
Bio: 2018 Essay Contest Middle School – FIRST PLACE: A Hero in Disguise by Erica Persano, Woodland Park Middle School, San Marcos, CA and submitted by teacher, Mrs. Whitney.
