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'I'll be the best version of myself' | How Dublin veterans are inspiring local students

Sergeant Baham said the students raised more than $500, and they aren’t done. They are serving free food to veterans at the Golden Corral restaurant in Dublin too.

DUBLIN, Ga. — At Dublin High School, the Junior ROTC ran laps to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project

The students said they are inspired by the veterans they don't know personally and the ones who teach them every day.

These students pledged to run a lap for almost every donation they received.

"So far, it's great,” Evangelia Rodriquez said. “I'm kind of out of breath with the run but it's great."

The proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project, but they said they also wanted to support local veterans in their lives.

"I plan on joining the Air force and doing fire safety because that's what my sergeant did,” Dwane Bouyer said. “That was his first job, and I really look up to him. I kind of just want to follow in his footsteps."

Sergeant Phillip Baham served for 11 years in the Army and 12 in the Air Force. He said his goal is to teach students leadership and communication.

"Our main purpose is not to recruit, it's just to make sure that we're making productive citizens,” he said. “That's what we're trying to do and behind me, is the best of the best."

In fulfilling his role, he is influencing the possible next steps of these students.

"I've been thinking about it a lot lately and because I've seen the man that sergeant and colonel have come out and come to the military, it makes me feel like I'll be the best version of myself if I go," Kristina Williams said.

And the best are great at teamwork. A skill the students are exercising today while they make their group rounds.

"It's really teaching me a lot about, I would say encouragement because I noticed that when we're running for each other, we feel more energized and we feel more motivated to get to the finish line," Williams said.

The students haven't personally met the people their proceeds will help, but they say knowing their sergeant and colonel is enough motivation to keep the laps going. Baham said the students raised more than $500, and they aren’t done yet. They also served free food to veterans at the Golden Corral restaurant in Dublin.

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