Since he started a family, Michael Scantling’s goal in life has always been to provide for his wife and daughters. That’s why he joined the military, right out of high school. “I wanted to serve my country, make a career for myself, and support my family,” he said.
Scantling went to Dublin through his junior year. He was an artistic student, and loved to draw. His senior year he tried to transfer to Stephenville to take an art class -- but the transfer ended up setting him back, and he left school without a diploma in 1994 rather than sit through the extra years.
After he left school, Scantling married Cristina Marie Hilburn, who he had met when they both worked at Golden Age Manor nursing home in Dublin. The Scantlings had their oldest daughter, Mercedes, that year. Soon after, Scantling earned his GED and enlisted in the military.
He started as a tanker in the National Guard and was stationed in Stephenville. In 2005, he was deployed to Iraq, where he ran convoy’s.
“When I came back I was home for maybe four or five months, and then I was on a border mission for two years, stationed down in Laredo,” Scantling said. In Laredo, he worked in the armory, as well as helped train border patrol agents on indoor and outdoor ranges.
That assignment lasted for two years, and then he took a job at Camp Bowie Training Center outside of Brownwood. His job there included receiving, inspecting and delivering supplies that arrived at the base.
Scantling stayed at Camp Bowie until early this year, when, after 18 years in the military, he took a medical retirement due to an old injury in his neck from a training accident at Fort Hood.
Since his retirement, Scantling has been living in Red Oak, Texas with his wife Cristina. “I’m just enjoying life now,” he said. “I started drawing again, and I like woodworking and spending time with my wife.”
Scantling’s wife was diagnosed with cancer. “We’re basically taking it day by day, being with each other as much as we can,” he said.
The Scantlings have three daughters. Their oldest, Mercedes, is 25 and works at Amazon. Their middle daughter, Lacey, is 23. She is currently pregnant, and is due March 8. “We’re excited to meet our grandson,” Scantling said. “I had three girls, now I’ll finally get my boy.”
The Scantling’s youngest daughter, Patricia, is 21 and lives in Tennessee with her boyfriend.
Scantling’s family remains the most important part of his life. “They are my greatest source of inspiration,” he said. “They inspired me to do what I’ve done through the military to support this great nation.”
Scantling’s advice to Dublin graduates is to enjoy the time they have before adult responsibilities. “And just continue to pray for our country and the chaos it’s in right now,” he said
Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other graduates, email publisher@dublincitizen.com.