Francis Xavier McKenna forgoes his graduation and senior summer to serve his country

By Ginny Privitar
GOSHEN — Goshen High School graduate Francis Xavier McKenna, known as "Xavier," began and completed Army basic training this summer in time to begin classes at Castleton University in Vermont on Tuesday.
Ever since he was little, he loved to learn about the history of our country, especially World War II. He and his grandfather visited museums, attended air shows and read books about United States history. He dreamt of being a part of our military.
“For Halloween he never dressed up as a super hero," his mom, Cara, said. "He dressed up as real heroes, a fighter pilot or a soldier.”
Xavier’s ultimate aim is to become a helicopter pilot. Cara does have some worry about his being in the military. But this has always been his dream, she said, and she’s not the type to stop him from pursing it.
All four of Xavier’s great-grandfathers were in World War II. On his mother's side, one was in the Army, the other was a fighter pilot in the Air Force. His paternal great-grandparents served, one in the Army and the other in the Navy. Xavier is named for the latter, who lost hearing in his left ear during combat.
“When it came time to decide about his future after high school, the only thing that he was sure about was that he wanted to be in the military in some capacity," Cara said. "When he met with the ROTC recruiter at a college visit to Castleton University, where he ultimately decided to go, he was thrilled to find out that he could enlist in the Vermont National Guard and be a full time college student.”
At Castleton, he plans to major in chemistry and play college football.
At Goshen High School, Xavier excelled in both football and lacrosse. In his senior year he was football captain and received the Defensive Excellence award. Academically, he made the honor roll multiple times and was awarded a merit scholarship to Castleton Uniersity.
To fulfil his basic training requirement and still start college on time, Xavier had to complete all of his coursework and tests early, and leave school before graduation. That he would miss his senior summer didn’t matter.
Getting his sheepskinHe left for Army basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, on June 6, two weeks before graduation, in order to complete the required ten and half weeks of training and begin college on time. The night before he left, he attended a lacrosse banquet, where he received his diploma from Goshen school board vice-president Jeremy Cassel.
Just weeks later — although Xavier himself wasn’t there — his family attended Goshen High School’s graduation ceremony. They were surprised and disappointed that his name was never mentioned, even though he was listed in the program.
During the ceremony, C.J. Hooker Middle School teacher Paul Bennis, a veteran himself, announced the names of those entering the military. But Xavier McKenna’s name wasn’t mentioned then either.
Goshen School District Superintendent Daniel Connor said the omission of Xavier's name was an oversight. He and Principal Robert McKiernan are very upset about the omission, he said, adding that McKiernan is writing a letter of apology to the family. The administrators are very proud of Xavier and know he will do well in the military and in college, Connor said. And they will make every effort to insure an oversight like this doesn't happen again.
Cara and Xavier's dad, Frank, a member of the New York Police Department, are very proud of him, as are his sisters, Kirsten, 15, and Julia, 10.
His dad remarked, ”I always say, ‘There’s no greater service than serving our country.’”
Xavier returned from basic training on Aug. 18 and was due to leave just a few days later.
“Ever since I was a little kid I’ve always been attracted to the military," Xavier said. "I just felt like I wanted to better myself as soon as possible and start serving as soon as possible. I learned a lot of lessons about life in basic training; things that will help me for the rest of my life.”