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On Friday, Sept. 1, Darrien Graham, 2017 graduate of Madison County High School, recently completed his United States Marine Corps Boot Camp training at Parris Island, SC. surrounded by loving and proud friends and family.
Graham began his journey t
owards military duty while still a student at MCHS. He received the Devil Dog certificate for entering the Delayed Entry Program into the Marines at age 17, during his junior year. He trained at the recruiting office in Valdosta, Ga., during the summer of 2016 throughout his senior year of 2017. In addition to the strenuous USMC training, Graham competed in weightlifting at MCHS, bringing home the State Championship ring and trophy, the first ever weightlifting state championship in MCHS history. He also was a key member of the MCHS Cowboys football team for four years. Graham was not only a star athlete; he was also a respected member of the National Beta Club's MCHS chapter.
After graduating from MCHS on May 26, he immediately reported to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Jacksonville, Fl., and subsequently left for boot camp in Parris Island on June 5. During boot camp, Graham was Platoon Guide and Squad Leader and was promoted to Private First Class. On Sept. 12, he reported to Camp Geiger at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC., and he graduated on Tuesday, Oct. 10. He will now be stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training.
Graham is the son of Lawanza Sampson and Darrell Graham and the grandson of Verndell Davis Sampson and the late Sammie L. Sampson, Larry Gallon and Betty Graham.