by Lance Cpl. Carlin Warren

Very few Marines can claim they’re related to a war hero. Claro E. Nacion may not have earned a medal or a ribbon for his bravery, but the stories he told his grandchildren, Kaia, Naveh and Nicholas, solidified his hero status in their minds.

After their grandfather passed away, the siblings found a way to honor him and his legacy by enlisting in the Marine Corps.  Kaia along with her twin brother Naveh, both 18, and their older brother Nicholas, 21, graduated recruit training Nov. 4, 2016, on Parris Island, S.C.

Before joining the Marine Corps, Nicholas found himself following a path he didn’t like. He saw the positive changes that being around Marines had made in his siblings, who had already enlisted when he saw them. He noticed the attributes he felt like he was missing and decided to join as well.

After seeing Kaia and Naveh take the oath of enlistment and become a part of the DEP, Nicholas knew he didn’t want his siblings to earn the title Marine before him. He took a less desired contract in the reserves so that he could go to boot camp and graduate alongside his siblings.

The idea of all three siblings graduating at the same time was one of selflessness. They knew their parents wouldn’t be able to make multiple trips to Parris Island to see multiple graduations.

Completing their goal and earning the title Marine, the family of new Marines sat during the warrior’s breakfast after finishing their Crucible on Oct. 29, 2016.

“That morning was the best morning of my life,” said Nicholas. “Becoming a Marine and getting to share that pride and joy with my brother and sister, who went through the same exact thing. It was perfect.”