WATCH: Four U.S. Navy Sailors From Brevard County Served Together in Jacksonville

U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer based at the Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida

WATCH: Hometown Heroes – (Left – Right) Chaplain Zachary Parker, LT, Merritt Island; EN1 Kyle Finlay, Merritt Island; RS3 Matthew Stickle, Cocoa; and OS2 Marc Horsman, Rockledge; are shipmates aboard the USS Ramage (DDG 61). They recently sat down with Nate Sauer, Owner-Operator of N8 Sauer Photo & Film, as they talked about the bond they share being from Brevard County, why the military is a viable option for young people, and much more in this exclusive interview.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – There are untold members of the military that have a story to tell. This article focuses on four U.S. Navy sailors from Brevard County that have a unique story to tell. You see, each of them is from the Space Coast and now happen to serve on the same ship, the USS Ramage (DDG 61) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, based at the Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.

Chaplain Zachary Parker, LT, Merritt Island; RS3 Matthew Stickle, Cocoa; EN1 Kyle Finlay, Merritt Island; and OS2 Marc Horsman, Rockledge are shipmates.

I first met Parker a few months ago at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island. He is the Command Chaplain of the USS Ramage. When Parker offered to have Nate Sauer, Owner/Operator of N8 Sauer Photo & Film, create a video of the four Brevard County men, I readily agreed!

Sauer is an active-duty Navy, Aviation Electrician Second Class Petty Officer.

The focus of the video was to have the sailors not only tell their story, but, hopefully, to encourage others to consider a career in the military.

Parker said, “Growing up in Merritt Island instilled in me a spirit to serve.” He went on to say, “Growing up in the church we were plugged in in a lot of different areas helping out those in need. We were surrounded by a lot of different Veterans in the community.”

Parker continued, by saying, because of his interaction with Veterans, it, “allowed me to see how special of an opportunity it is to serve in the Navy.”

Stickle, is a Retail Services Specialist and talked about growing up in, as he calls it, “good ol’ Cocoa, Florida.”  Stickle was a member of the ROTC program at Cocoa High School, and said it, “made me want to join a branch of the military.”

Finlay, an engineer and electrician, runs the electrical division.  He said growing up in Merritt Island and calling it a “military friendly town and tight knit community,” had an impact on his decision to join the Navy.

Horsman, an Operational Specialist, is from Rockledge. After graduation, he made the decision to join the Navy, travel the world, and then focus on getting his degree.

Being from Brevard County, all four individuals have built a special bond. Finlay said, “I thought it was very cool to find out there were other guys from my hometown.”

There is no regret among them with their decision to join the Navy. Stickle said if he was talking with young people considering a career in the military to, “definitely do it.” He went on to say, “The military takes care of you. Definitely take that leap of faith.”

Finlay said you get out of it what you put in. He said that he never guessed he would become an electrician or an engineer. “I learned a lot and have a lot to show for it.”

Horsman called serving in the Navy a “great experience.” He continued, “It gets you out of your hometown, and lets you see a little bit more of the world, Go ahead and do it!”

Parker said if he had the opportunity to speak with students, he said, “I would challenge them to seriously consider joining the military. There are so many benefits that the military provides, but really there is a spiritual component of serving your country. There’s a legacy to revere.”

Less than 1% of American High School graduates join the military each year. Chaplain Zachary Parker, LT, RS3 Matthew Stickle, EN1 Kyle Finlay and OS2 Marc Horsman are in that small percentage. Their “service before self” is to be commended.

As we celebrate and honor Veterans, both past and present, on this Veterans Day, let us not forget, not only these four gentlemen, but all of those that have taken the oath to defend our nation. We salute you All!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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