Being born into a family with a tradition of serving its country in the military might prove daunting, overwhelming, or anxiety-inducing for a young person unsure of how they might be accepted by family should they break tradition and opt not to join; however, one area teen instead found it inspiring and patriotic and knew as young as age thirteen that she planned not only to continue her family’s tradition of service but to add to it, aspiring to become the first family female to serve. In the last year, Madison Vick of Depew did exactly that.
On Nov. 30, 2021, Vick joined the Army National Guard. For her, it set into motion years of hopes and plans to honor family and even get college assistance as an added benefit. She described the multistep process she followed, initially making her decision,
See Soldier, Page Three visiting with a recruiter, taking tests, getting physicals, awaiting approval, and ultimately signing up. She noted that because she remained in high school, she attended once monthly weekend trainings, known in the Army National Guard as the Recruit Sustainment Program or RSP, to prepare her for Basic Combat Training, BCT, and life in the Guard. Then, this summer, she attended ten full weeks of BCT, graduating and coming home this month. In the words of her proud mother, Tiffany Butterfield, “She left my baby and came home a soldier.” Indeed, she did: PVT2 Vick.
Of her enlistment and graduation, her parents, Tiffany and D.J. Butterfield and Tommy Vick, Jr., said, “The decision at first was kinda scary knowing how our country is, but we are very honored and proud she chose to join to continue a family tradition. We greatly admire her courage, bravery, strength, and eagerness and will support her as she reaches all the goals and dreams she has hoped for.” For her part, PVT2 Vick stated, “Joining was probably the best decision I’ve ever made, and I’m glad I did! It has changed my life in a good way and makes me feel like a better person. The most exciting part is knowing I’m helping out our country in the long run. I also enjoy shooting weapons and making new friends called ‘battle buddies’.”
To be able to do so much at the youthful age of seventeen years seems remarkable. PVT2 Vick believed she might not have done it without the support and encouragement of her family and friends, saying “My family and friends were extremely supportive and pushed me to do my best and not to give up when I felt like it. They were very helpful and even ‘adopted’ one of my battle buddies for family day since she didn’t have any family that could make it to see her graduate, and I love them very much for that. I’m glad she had fun with us.”
For those in the community wondering how best to support enlisted men and women of all ages, PVT2 Vick’s family has laid bare the foundation: be there, listen, encourage, and love. As for her family members, they include her proud parents, siblings Natalie Vick and Makayelah Butterfield, and grandparents Emmy & Martin Archibald, Tom & Debrah Vick, and the late Debbie Butterfield.
Welcome home, PVT2 Vick!