Aaron Dillon is a fifth-generation veteran, serving three Middle East tours for the United States Army.
He was born in Baltimore and moved to Berkeley Springs as a young boy to complete grades K-12. He enlisted in the service in 2000 during his junior year of high school and completed army basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky during the summer before his senior year.
Dillon originally joined, he said, to continue a family line of service. He underwent his own journey, however, after his decision to enlist.
After basic training, he went back to school for his senior year and that summer did his advanced individual training for communications.
“My experiences in the military has no doubt forged me into a better and stronger person,” he said.
He began his first of three tours in 2003 working in communications until 2005. Two years later, he served as a light infantryman from 2007-2008. As a mobile artilleryman from 2010-2011, he completed his third tour.
All of his military experience, Dillon said, has translated into his civilian life.
“From the training and overseas tours, it’s been engrained in us that we can push forward through obstacles others might feel are impossible,” he said.
Dillon is a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology.
He currently works as a government employee and recalls the lessons he has learned from his service in the military — one that still plays an active role in his civilian life.
“I still think of the military as a second family and a strong connection to those that have and still are serving,” he said.
Editor’s note: The Journal’s Unsung Heroes series spotlights a local veteran each Monday from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. If you would like to nominate an Unsung Hero, email
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