The Ben Jackson Foundation recently awarded a Travel Award to Harmon Garvoille, a 2018 graduate of Albany High School.
After joining the Army, Garvoille left for Fort Jackson, South Carolina on January 15, 2019. From Basic Training he went to Fort Eustice, Virginia for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become a Chinook helicopter mechanic. Upon completion of AIT, Garvoille was sent to South Korea where he will remain until September 2020 or later.
Joining the military had been a long time goal for Garvoille. “I enlisted in the Army not only to serve my country but to push myself and achieve a career in aviation. The Army offered a high school to flight school program which to me meant I could be working in my chosen field sooner,” said Garvoille. During his Senior year in High School he obtained his pilot’s license in hopes of someday becoming a pilot in the military. Currently he is working on the Chinook helicopters and flies along on his machine’s missions.
His mother, SuAnn Garvoille, nominated him for the award. When asked what she misses most about her son she replied, “his smile”. SuAnn went on to describe him as their ‘go to guy’ who is always willing and happy to help out. One thing that she looks forward to doing when he comes home is to cook all of his favorite foods.
The Garvoilles heard about the Foundation through a posting on Facebook when a student from Belleville, Michelle Ayala, received a Travel Award. They looked into the Foundation and were moved and impressed by the mission. They hope to give back to assist with the Foundation’s work.