The World Trade Center towers became symbolic for Americans to unite behind after the attack Sept. 11, 2001.
Three hours away in Lancaster, Pa., Terry Weidman was swearing into the United States Marine Corps.
On Jan. 2, 2012 Weidman was meritoriously promoted to his current rank, gunnery sergeant.
Weidman enlisted as a 0341 and was assigned to security forces stationed with 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team in Yorktown, Va.
On March 25, 2010 Weidman checked into Marine Corps Recruiting Station Kansas City in Missouri. He was a production recruiter in Gladstone, Mo. before getting his own station in St. Joseph, Mo.
On Jan. 1, 2011, one year and one day before his current promotion then Sgt. Weidman was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Weidman is proud of his accomplishments but credits his success to those around him.
“My biggest accomplishment in the Marines is being selected for meritorious gunnery sergeant, however my biggest accomplishment as a Marine is my family, they are my number one priority, they are the reason I am where I am today,” said Weidman.
From his days as a production recruiter Weidman made an impression on his command. Maj. Thomas B. McGee, commanding officer, Recruiting Station Kansas City, recalls seeing Weidman, when he was a sergeant and production recruiter, in the Gladstone office sitting in a corner diligently working.
“He’d give me the proper greeting of the day, say hello then go right back to his work,” said McGee.
“He’s a great staff (noncommissioned officer), when he was on the board the drill instructors even said, ‘he looks like a drill instructor,’” said Sgt. Maj. Scott Holt, sergeant major, Recruiting Station Kansas City.