Wenham Marine recruit honored with parade before leaving for boot camp

WENHAM, Mass. — Teachers, first responders and friends surprised a Wenham teen with a parade days before he leaves for Marine boot camp.

Justin Santos, an 18-year-old senior graduating from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, met one of his favorite teachers, Sally Maijenski, outside the school Tuesday to say goodbye. What he did not expect was the parade she had organized.

"We were just talking, hanging out, having a good time, and I heard sirens. And she was like, 'I hope you're not in trouble,'" Santos told Boston 25 News by FaceTime Wednesday. "I was like, 'If you guys called a parade for me, I'm going to cry.' And she's like, 'That's exactly what we did.'"

With lights and sirens, first responders led the parade. Dozens of faculty members lined up in a show of support for Santos and as a symbol of their gratitude for his service.

"I teared up a little bit, because I wasn't expecting it," Santos said. "It was a really kind gesture."

Santos leaves for basic training Sunday. He will miss his high school graduation the following weekend.

"I'll be screamed at by a drill sergeant by then," Santos said.

Following in the footsteps of his adoptive grandfather who served in the military, Santos enlisted in the Marine Corps and was sworn in in March.

"I always knew I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself," Santos said of the opportunity to serve his country. "I'm so excited. It's honestly surreal. I can't believe it's here."

Santos admits it was a journey to get to this point. Little more than a year ago, he made the decision to turn his life around, after hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble, Santos said.

"I had a coming-to moment. I matured," Santos said. "I said, 'Is this really the path I want to go on?'"

Santos's teachers, many participating in the parade Tuesday, helped him make that "complete 180" in his life, he said.

"I made a joke. My vice principal showed up to the parade," Santos said. "And I said, 'He must like me a lot, because he always invited me to his office.'"

Because of the quarantine policy due to the coronavirus pandemic, Santos's 10-day leave following basic training will be suspended. Instead of returning home immediately after boot camp, he will move on to his next training.

Santos hopes to return home to Wenham for Thanksgiving. But because he will be away for several months, Tuesday's parade is even more special.

“It’s been nice to have that support, because it’s just a big deal,” Santos said. “Having good influences around me all my life helped get me where I am. So I’m so grateful.”

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