Philadelphia Eagles Hometown Hero

MK2 Joyce, a life-long Eagles fan, was born and raised in Aston, PA. He began his Coast Guard career in 2017 where he attended boot camp in Cape May, NJ. His previous unit's include; Coast Guard Cutter(CGC) Tampa and CGC Bear, both homeported in Portsmouth, VA. While stationed on the CGC Bear, he vividly remembers when the eagles won the super bowl in 2018, a day that he will never forget. MK2's primary duties include Officer of the Day, Boarding Officer, Boat Crew member, and Tactical Boat Crew member. His daily job consists of boat maintenance, conducting Law Enforcement boardings, Search and Rescue, and Security Zone protection operations for the President and other high-ranking members of government. Since being stationed in Philadelphia, he responded to a Search and Rescue case near the Commadore Barry Bridge. Once on scene, he and his crew found a vessel that had stuck a sea wall and was taking on water. He and his crew quickly removed everyone from the boat and put the boat in tow. Bringing everyone on board and the vessel safely to shore.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Tyrone Mebane is an accomplished airborne paratrooper with 18 years of dedicated service in the United States Army. Enlisting in November 2006, SFC Mebane began his career as a logistics transporter while stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

Throughout his tenure, SFC Mebane has deployed multiple times to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he distinguished himself through exceptional service. His contributions in these high-stakes environments earned him the esteemed Combat Action Badge, reflecting his professionalism and courage under fire.

Currently, SFC Mebane serves as a Senior Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) for the Pennsylvania National Guard. In this critical role, he leverages his extensive experience and leadership skills to mentor and inspire the next generation of soldiers, ensuring the readiness and strength of the force.

SFC Mebane exemplifies the Army values of duty, integrity, and selfless service, remaining a steadfast leader and role model throughout his military career.

OSCS Brian Richardson, a life-long Eagles fan, was born in Willingboro, NJ and now a proud resident of Mantua, NJ. He began his U.S. Coast Guard career in 2004 where he attended boot camp in Cape May, NJ. Previous units include Communications Command in Chesapeake, VA, Sector Virginia in Portsmouth, VA, Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole, MA, Sector St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, FL, and Coast Guard Cutter Spencer in Boston, MA. He is currently the Command Center Supervisor at Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia, PA where he manages Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Marine Environmental Response operations across three states and over 2,300 miles of coastline. During this year, his team has handled more than 500 cases, saving, and assisting over 250 lives. OSCS Brian Richardson will retire from the U.S. Coast Guard on May 1^st of 2025 after serving his country for more than 20 years.

MSgt Jeremy M. Hunt is an 18^th Fighter Generation Squadron Production Superintendant at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. He is resopnosible for directing maintenance and sortie production in sustainment of 21 F-16C/Ds valued at $339M. Leads 157 personnel across 6 AFSCs in completion of repairs, servicing, inspections, and scheduled maintenance, enabling execution of a 3.7K Flying Hour Program. Plans and directs maintenance priorities, maximizing aircraft availability to support NORAD Alert, USNORTHCOM taskings, and world-class threat replication training for joint and allied partners.

MSgt Hunt was born in Willingboro, NJ and entered the Air Force in March 2009. He attended technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and graduated as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Technician specializing on the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon in October 2009. Over the course of his career, he has held positions as an Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief, Dedicated Crew Chief, Aircraft Phase Doc Chief, Quality Assurance, Inspector General Wing Inspection Team lead, and Flightline Expediter. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn, Enduring Freedom, and Resolute Support. Prior to his current position, Sergeant Hunt was the Support Section Flight Chief, 18^th Fighter Generation Squadron, 354th Maintenance Group, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

I have been in the military for 17yrs now and this is the first time in my entire career I have been stationed near home. I was born In Bryn Mawr, PA and lived mostly in Media, PA. My whole family has been an Eagles fan since the day they were born, especially my middle son Vinny (last year he was DeVonta Smith for Halloween and his little brother was D'Andre Swift). This opportunity would mean the world to him and to my family. I currently work for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner as the Senior Enlisted Member for the Forensic Toxicology department, overseeing the Military Working Dog (MWD) Laboratory and FORTOX. The MDW overseas all K9 training sites for the DoD. They create training aids with different illegal substances with varying amounts to aid in the training and honing the skills of our military dogs, ensuring they are properly trained to detect even the tiniest amount of illegal substances. The Forensic Toxicology Department aids in the investigation of over 5,000 forensic cases annually and we process roughly 3.2M samples from 104 sites in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for postmortem samples, sexual assaults, aircraft incidents and legal investigations. Here at AFMES we have a very important mission, and I am proud to be a part of it.

Aviation survival Technician first class Christopher Wilson has been in the United States Coast Guard for 13 years. For 11 of those years he has been a helicopter rescue swimmer. Wilson has been stationed in Astoria Oregon, Corpus Christi Texas, Atlantic City New Jersey and now Cape May New Jersey. Petty officer Wilson has flown over 1200 flight hours is the MH65 helicopter and saved/assisted over 100 lives.

SMSgt Matthew D. Benko is currently a C-130 Loadmaster Evaluator and Section Chief at the 142d Airlift Squadron, 166th Airlift Wing, located in New Castle, Delaware. He is responsible for the deliberate development of all Airmen in the 142d Airlift Squadron Loadmaster Section. His mentorship provides oversight and recommendations regarding readiness, health, welfare, and quality of life for the enlisted force (approx. 35 members) in the section.

SMSgt Benko has been in the military for over 21 years starting his United States Air Force career with a four-year Active-Duty enlistment in August 1997 until November 2001. Upon honorably completing his Active-Duty enlistment in 2001, SMSgt Benko took a break in service to earn his Bachelor's Degree from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Upon earning his Bachelor's Degree in 2007, SMSgt Benko reenlisted into the USAF via the Air National Guard. SMSgt Benko went on to earn his Master's Degree in 2010. Prior to his current position SMSgt Benko served as a weapons load and maintenance crew member and technical order distribution officer in Active Duty and Air National Guard.

SMSgt Benko has significant operational experience and has participated in several operations and exercises as well as deployments in direct support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM SENTINAL, and INHERENT RESOLVE. In addition to his current position, SMSgt Benko also served as an Additional Duty First Sergeant and Unit Career Advisor, 166th Operations Group from 1 November 2015 to 1 June 2018.

SMSgt Benko is currently an active volunteer for the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). He is a Character Does Matter (CDM) mentor, mentoring since 2015 and has for several hundred youth through interactive presentations and CDM courses at a variety of schools and organizations. In his civilian capacity he worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Mental Health Therapist 2012 to 2016. He is currently a Veterans Education Advisor for Pennsylvania's Department of Education- Bureau of Postsecondary and Higher Education- Division of Veterans and Military Education.

Sergeant Crystal Fragoso was born on April 13, 2000 in Homestead, Florida. After high school graduation, she enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended recruit training in November 2019 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation of recruit training, Private First Class Fragoso went on to complete Marine Combat Training (MCT) in Camp Geiger, North Carolina. At the conclusion of MCT, she attended Personnel Administration School for training in the Administrative Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Upon completion of MOS school, Private First Class Fragoso executed orders to her first duty station at Air Traffic Control Company (ATC CO) L, Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 2 in May 15 2020. During this time, Private First Class Fragoso served as the sole administrative clerk for Lima Company, assisting with all administrative matters for over 100 Marines. During this time Private First Class Fragoso attended MCMAP course to complete belts up to Brown Belt. On August 1 2020 she was promoted to Lance Corporal, and on August 1 2021 she was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

From February 2022 to June 2022, Corporal Fragoso was deployed to Norway and Poland. During this time she worked and maintained accountability of her unit and assisted with all administrative matters.

In December 2022, Corporal Fragoso received orders to Site Support (Bristol, PA) 3rd Battalion 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division for Inspector-Instructor Duty with Headquarters Battery. She currently serves as the Personnel Clerk. May 1, 2024 she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Sergeant Fragoso's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Angela Dunston is a decorated Noncommissioned Officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, SFC Dunston graduated from Cheltenham High School before briefly attending Morgan State University. Searching for a meaningful career, she enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 2008 as a Human Resources Specialist.

After completing Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, SFC Dunston was assigned to the historic 103rd Engineer Battalion where she played an active role apart of the CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P), serving on the Search and Extraction Team, where her expertise was vital in handling emergency response operations on the East Coast. In 2011, she deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 131st Transportation Company, tasked with route security to ensure the safe movement of personnel and supplies in RC East. Her operational excellence led her to join the 213th Personnel Group, deploying once again in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, leading a team in flight line operations in Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania. She deployed again in 2019 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Spartan Shield) to the Middle East for Military Base Operations.

SFC Dunston's leadership extended beyond deployments. She served with the 252nd Quartermaster Company, leading her team through several critical state activations and ensuring mission completion serving as Licensing Instructor, Squad Leader and Heavy Vehicle Trainer. From disaster relief efforts to homeland security tasks, responding to natural disasters, providing logistical support during state emergencies, or managing complex supply chain operations, SFC Dunston consistently ensured her team's readiness and operational success.

SFC Dunston's career transitioned into recruiting when she took on the role of recruiter for the West Chester University ROTC program. Her dedication to mentoring future leaders and Soldiers has since become a hallmark of her service. Today, as one of the top recruiters in Pennsylvania, SFC Dunston draws on her own military experiences to help young men and women realize their potential within the National Guard. Her ability to inspire others, combined with her professionalism and leadership, has earned her widespread respect throughout the recruiting community.

In addition to her role as a recruiter, SFC Dunston serves as an Equal Opportunity Representative, ensuring that every Soldier is treated with fairness and respect. She advocates for equal opportunities and encourages others to uphold the same values of integrity, inclusion, and respect. SFC Dunston holds a Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations from Penn State University. Her ultimate goal is to attend Law School and practice employment law to represent the unrepresented. Her numerous awards and decorations—include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, PA National Guard Gen. Thomas J. Stewart Award, and PA National Guard Thomas R. White Award—a testament to her exemplary service and steadfast dedication to both the mission and her Soldiers.

Technical Sergeant Jeremiah D. Johnson currently serves as an Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman for the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. TSgt Johnson is responsible for maintaining, inspecting, evaluating, and repairing Dover's assigned C- 5M Super Galaxy aircraft, as well as training and mentoring his aerospace propulsion subordinates. His efforts support the active-duty component through Total Force Integration, as well as global mission support directives from Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Command.

TSgt Johnson enlisted in the Air Force in 2011. After completing Basic Military Training and technical training, he was assigned to the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. As an Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, Sergeant Johnson has provided airpower and training globally while completing off-station annual tours. TSgt Johnson also served at the Bedrock Innovation Lab as an Intern, assisting with innovative solutions for complex military problems. Other additional duties held throughout TSgt Johnson's career include Motorcycle Safety Rep, Unit Career Advisor, Awards and Decorations Manager, and Wing Inspection Team member.