Perry pinned on SCHS’s football field

A former Stephens County High School football star, Blake Perry comes back to Stephens County for pinning ceremony.

Perry has been in the Marine Corps for soon to be eight years.

On Friday, he was promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant in a special ceremony, where he was pinned.

According to Sargent Major Michael Johnson, the recruiting station Sargent Major in Atlanta, this is a prestigious accomplishment for Perry.

“He was one selected out of 3,500,” Johnson said. “There’s a board made up of 21 people all of different ranks, services, and they choose the brightest, the best of the best, and select one.”

Being promoted to Staff Sargent focuses specifically on his potential to succeed in the position.

Perry told WNEG News about why he chose to come back to Stephens County High School’s football field to be pinned.

“When they told me I was being promoted, it was the first place that came to mind. All of my family, friends, and the people that this means the most to can come, so I just knew I had to have it at Stephens County High School’s football field. This field represents the blood, sweet, and tears I shed during high school; and now with this promotion it represents the blood, sweet, and tears I shed as a Marine.”

Perry added that the was very appreciated of Principal Scott Kersh for allowing them to use the football field as the venue for the ceremony.

Perry’s father, Paul Drew Perry, explained how proud he is of his son and his accomplishments.

“I am so proud of him, every time I see him my chest pokes out like I’m in the Marines,” Paul Perry said.

Quana Perry, mother of Blake Perry, spoke with WNEG News following the pinning ceremony.

“I tell him every day how proud I am of him,” Quana Perry said.

Newly promoted Staff Sargent Blake Perry expressed that without the Lord’s support along with his family he would not have been able to have such a successful career in the Marine Corps.