Sokseiha Moeun graduated from Mountain Valley High School in 2010. After trying to get into college but concluding he couldn’t afford it, Moeun joined the U. S. Navy. He began his training in Great Lakes, IL.

Now E-2 Airman (AN) Moeun is an aviation botswain’s mate aircraft handler (ABH).

He explains, “ABH’s play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely from land or ships. This includes aircraft handling, fire fighting and salvage and rescue operations.”

For those who have watched Top Gun, aircraft handlers make sure the aircraft is in the catapult for take off from the carrier. Then they “catch” the aircraft on landing. They also have to train to perform crash rescue, removal and damage control.

Currently, he is on active duty and stationed out of Norfolk, Va., on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Nearly 40 years old, the Eisenhower is five-star aircraft carrier that is longer than three football fields. Its height from the keel to mast is equal to a 24-story building. Family and friends provided the motivation for AN Moeun to join the Navy.

He said, “I’m working towards a future for them and myself. Doing what I can to make them proud while keeping a level head and staying focused on my many long and short- term goals.”

A man who enjoys simple pleasures, AN Moeun requests that friends and family, “Greet me with a big smile when I come home on leave.”

After seeing a bit of the world beyond Mexico, ME, AN Moeun advises, “Never forget your dreams when you grow older. They can bring you to places you never thought you’d be and meet people you never knew existed. Take a chance outside of your comfort zone for a little bit, something good might happen.

AN Moeun is the son of Chenda Moeun and Sareth Dy of Mexico, ME. His parents are originally from Cambodia and he is a firstgeneration American.

This is the 26th in a series about graduates from Mountain Valley High School who are serving our country in the military.