FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. –
A grandfather watched his grandson continue the family’s tradition of service in a private ceremony June 25, at the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station here, at Fort Meade.
Antonio Lombardi, who processed through the Baltimore MEPS in 1952, watched his son, Army Lt. Col. Christopher Lombardi, administer the oath of enlistment to his grandson, Michael Lombardi.
“I am very proud that my grandson is able to continue the tradition of the Lombardi family in service to our nation,” said Antonio Lombardi.
The Lombardi family tradition of serving in the U.S. Army is evident in the family members who have served or are still serving which spans over four generations. This includes Antonio’s brother, a fourth son, Antonio’s daughter, two other grandsons, and a great-granddaughter, all of whom have served or is currently still serving in the Army.
“I am proud to administer the oath to my nephew,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Lombardi, an Army Operations Research Analyst officer. “I am very proud of him entering the Army and continuing a long line of tradition in the Army for our family.”
Also in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony were retired Army major and Desert Storm Veteran Paul Lombardi, Antonio Lombardi’s son; retired Sgt. 1st Class and Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran Nicholas Lombardi, Antonio Lombardi’s son and Michael Lombardi’s father; Christine Lombardi, Antonio Lombardi’s daughter-in-law and Michael Lombardi’s mother; and Lilliana Lombardi, Antonio Lombardi’s granddaughter and Michael’s younger sister.
“Nick and I were honored to witness Michael’s oath of enlistment,” said mother Christine Lombardi. “We hope that Michael encapsulates the honor and integrity of what being a member of the military has to offer and is able to be a role model to his peers.”
Michael Lombardi boarded a bus after the swearing-in ceremony to attend Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga., where he will undergo One Station Unit Training to become an Infantryman.