In this recurring special feature, Nonahood News recognizes and honors those everyday heroes who have served or are currently serving our country and making a difference in our community. Those who reside in the Lake Nona and surrounding area are our Nona Heroes.
Dan Deverney served in the U.S. Navy for almost eight years and felt destined for this branch of the military because of his love and passions growing up.
“I chose this branch because I have always loved the water and being near water. I grew up on a river in Michigan.”
Although Deverney’s love for water was strong, his love for our country was the embodiment of what our military is made of. “What made me join was the chance to help our country out at the time we were at war,” Deverney explained. “Also, I knew I wasn’t going to college right away, so this was a great opportunity to grow up and be on my own.”
We all know or understand that the military builds character on and off the battlefield, and this month’s hero is a prime example of that. Deverney made the rank of E-5, or Second-Class Petty Officer, and it took him five years to achieve that rank. Over his time spent serving our nation, he was stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., and Naval Station Little Creek in Virginia Beach.
Deverney has three children: a 13-year old son, a 12-year old daughter, and his youngest boy at just two years old. He says that raising his young son “has been the best time of my life.” Deverney has lived in Saint Cloud for four years now and reminisces on his home away from home.
“I love it here because of the people and the country area where I live. It greatly reminds me of Michigan where I grew up.”
His reminiscing brought him back to his time in the Navy, reflecting on some of his best memories.
“Two of my best memories of my Navy career have to be the group of guys I spent the first four years with. I went to the Middle East with them and had each other’s backs till the end. [It was my] 2005-2006 deployment,” described Deverney. “And the second good memory has to be when I went to the island country of Seychelles. Looks like Hawaii in pictures. [It was] so beautiful … there was much wildlife there: whales, sharks, huge tortoises, and huge flying bats the size of an eagle.”
If you would like to nominate someone for our next Nona Heroes feature, please send an email to nicole@nonahoodnews.com or complete the form here:nonahood.to/nonaheroes.
