The Peru Gazette

Grandmother Judy Akey congratulates Anthony after he graduates from Parris Island.

Mom Dorina, Anthony, and Dad James Falvo

Anthony and several of his fellow Marines

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY – January 9, 2025—Four members of Peru High School’s 2024 graduating class are proud members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Anthony Falvo, the 18-year-old son of Jim and Dorina Falvo, is one of them. Anthony has been home for a few weeks since his November 8 Basic Training graduation. He’s been waiting for his Marine Corps Intelligence School Class to open, so a few days ago, the Peru Gazette talked to him about why he joined the Marine Corps and what his experiences have been thus far.

Anthony Falvo considered joining the Marine Corps for several years before enlisting during his senior high school year.  “I love learning, but I didn’t enjoy school. I knew the military would give me choices. It would get me into the role of being an adult and kick-start my career for anything I wanted to do after that. If I decide to return to school, the Marine Corps will pay for it. I signed a five-year active duty contract and a three-year reserve contract.” Anthony took the AP courses at Peru High School, which, combined with his summertime EMT course, helped him advance to E-2, Private First Class.

Anthony encountered a mixed reaction when he told his parents about his plans. He recalled, “My recruiter recommended that I sit down with my parents to talk to them about it. They were surprised at first and a little hesitant, especially my mother. I sat my dad down with the recruiter at first. He was on board. After my mom talked to the recruiter, she felt better about it.” Anthony said his grandfather, Bob Akey, and earlier generations served in the military. He remarked, “As far as I know, I’m the first Marine.”

Why did he choose the Marine Corps over one of the other services? Anthony explained, “I talked to the Army first, then the Navy. I wanted to see what they had to offer me. When I spoke to the Marine Corps recruiter, I said, ‘I’m not going to talk to anyone else. I know what I want to do.’” Why was it an easy decision? Anthony responded, “It’s how Marines carry themselves and feel about their job. It’s being a part of something bigger than you and swallowing your pride to do your part.”

Marine Corps Basic Training is known as the toughest Basic of all the services. Anthony said, “Basic is tough, but it’s mentally more than physically challenging. Your body will get you through the physical part. The mental part is where you really have to fight. After arriving, you’re up for three days doing things you’ve never done before and meeting new people from all over the country. When you finally get time to sleep, you think about what’s happening at home. You miss home a lot. You don’t have your cell phone except for one Sunday when you get it for two hours. But you are building friendships. I have a very good friend from Alabama and another from Florida.”

Anthony also developed confidence in others and in his leadership abilities. I loved working with the other people. People were able to swallow their pride and listen to others. I was a fire team leader during the Crucible. My peers listened, followed orders, and gave me feedback. It’s great seeing that from young adults.”

Since arriving home, Anthony has been in uniform on recruitment duty. He visits schools and talks with young people wherever he finds them, asking if they want to know more about the U.S. Marine Corps. Those young people will undoubtedly be impressed by how Anthony Falvo carries himself and observe his pride in being a United States Marine. 

Jim Falvo Photos