Three RVHS graduates serving together in Afghanistan
Pictured from left are Richie Bechtol, Morgan Landis and Dusty Langley. All three graduated from River View high school and are currently serving in the military in Afghanistan. Contributed | Beacon
WARSAW – Three River View High School graduates have found themselves together while serving overseas and doing their part to protect our country.
Richie Bechtol, class of 2009 serving in the U.S. Army, Morgan Landis, class of 2009 serving in the U.S. Air Force, and Dusty Langley, class of 2010 serving in the U.S. Army, are all stationed in Afghanistan.
Langley, a sergeant in the Army National Guard, said he and Bechtol are in the same unit and just by luck ended up in the same place as Landis.
“What are the odds the three of us all end up at the same place,” Langley said. “I think it’s a blessing to get to serve with a couple guys I grew up with. You know you always have someone you can talk about home and old memories with. That helps time move a little faster.”
Bechtol also is happy to have his fellow River View graduates serving with him.
“Morgan and I were always good friends and played golf together,” Bechtol said. “Dusty and I used to play ball at Kids America a lot. Dusty and I are in the same unit so I knew we’d be over here together. Morgan on the other hand I found out was here from my mother talking to his mother. It’s nice having that connection with someone over here being able to talk about life back home.”
The three River View graduates had a picture taken together that has worked its way back home and even appeared on River View’s website.
“We knew we were all coming here and we all knew each other in school and played sports together,” Landis said. “I’m just glad to be here doing my mission for the Air Force and to have friends that I went to school with here doing the Army’s mission is a satisfying feeling. It brings me pride that we can all represent our alma mater in a positive way and our community as a whole.”
Langley added that it’s nice to have the support of people back home.
“I am truly thankful for all the support we receive from friends, family members, and the community,” he said. “I am also thankful to be capable of serving my country and representing our hometown in a positive manner. Go Bears!”
Category: People & Places
