BY LAURIE WELDON

SPECIAL TO THE EAN

This week’s Citizen Spotlight is on Kendall Buelman. Kendall is the son of Jeff and Donna Buelman. He recently graduated from Wetumpka High School in May 2020 amidst the COVID 19 pandemic that took away so many traditions from the 2020 class. It was an experience they will never forget. Thankfully, there was one thing that COVID 19 did not take away from Kendall and that was leaving for Cape May, New Jersey to Coast Guard Boot Camp in July.

This dream come true all began when Kendall was nine-years-old.

Kendall visited the Coast Guard Station in Destin. He was shown around the station in great detail. This experience shaped his vision for the future and from that point on, Kendall always dreamed of being a U.S. Coast Guardsman. His family and community could not be more proud of his recent success. The weeks away from home were definitely difficult and had many challenges to say the least, but Kendall never lost focus on his dream. He graduated on October 9th.

Kendall Buelman’s family is no stranger to serving this great land. Kendall’s father, Elmore County Constable Jeff Buelman, has served for over 35 years with the Alabama Air National Guard and still serves to this day. Both of his grandfathers had successful careers in the military as well. It is no surprise that Kendall’s heart is to serve his country.

Fireman Buelman arrived at his first duty station on October 13th and is in the Florida Keys at the station in Marathon, Florida. Although he is away from our community this will forever be his home. Fireman Kendall Buelman will serve at the station learning the basic tasks required of a non-rate Coast Guardsman. His goal is to go to A-School for Information Technology to become an IT rated Coast Guardsman.