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Spring Valley native promoted in military ceremony at Ritter Park
Spring Valley native Cpl. Kari Noah of the U.S. Marine Corps is meritoriously promoted by Maj. David Fallen during a ceremony Monday, June 8, 2009, at Ritter Park in Huntington.
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HUNTINGTON -- Less than 1 percent of all U.S Marines are meritoriously promoted.
On Monday morning, Spring Valley native Kari Noah received her meritorious promotion at a ceremony at Ritter Park.
The 21-year-old, who is on leave, was promoted from lance corporal to corporal because of her tenacity, attitude and willingness to go the extra mile, according to the Corps.
"Being recognized ahead of your peers is very significant," said Maj. David Fallon, the commanding officer of Marine Corps recruiting in West Virginia. "We grow our own leaders. The Marine Corps has made a decision that Lance Cpl. Noah is our future."
Fallon said Monday's occasion, in which Noah was pinned by her father and in front of her mom and friends, is rare. But it was sure special for her and her parents.
"Apart from going to Paris Island when she graduated from boot camp, this is the only thing we've been a part of," her father, Jerry Noah, said. "We're really proud of her."
Noah graduated from Spring Valley High School in 2006, but wasn't ready to go to college. A friend was joining the Marines and encouraged her to think about it.
"I thought, 'Why not,'" Noah said, adding that she and her parents had talked about her going into the military after high school. "I didn't know all I was up against, but it was a good challenge. I'm glad I did it."
She returned from a 7-month stint in Kuwait and is slated to return in November. She serves in aviation ordinance, which means she puts bombs on jets, she said.
After her four-year commitment is up, Noah wants to attend Marshall University and earn a degree in physical therapy. From there, she has thought about going back to active duty and using her degree there.
For now, she is just happy to be receiving the honor of being meritoriously promoted.
"Today is a big step," she said. "(Non-commissioned officers) are the backbone of the Marine Corps."
