06/23/2020
Today we are celebrating LTC June Copeland and her three daughters June, Jeilyn, and Jasmyn.
These four remarkable women share more than their family bond. They share a legacy. June and her daughters are all part of the U.S. Army’s extended family and have graduated, or are currently attending, the prestigious West Point - The U.S. Military Academy.
LTC Copeland’s journey with the Army started with her twin brother Jerry. As the two prepared to graduate high school, Jerry asked his sister to join the Army with him. LTC Copeland said that she and her brother had never been separated and struggled with the thought of going their separate ways after graduating high school. She agreed. The twins enlisted, LTC Copeland as a Medic and her brother as a Signal Soldier. After serving two years in Germany, LTC Copeland’s mother convinced her to apply to West Point thus beginning the family legacy.
All three of LTC Copeland’s daughters have different reasons for why they joined the Army and enrolled at West Point. 2LT June Copeland wanted to give back to an institution that had always been there for her and her family. While, CDT Jeilyn Haynes joined because she wanted to affect change in the community and, to do so, she needed to learn how to be a good leader. CDT Jasmyn Haynes had her heart set on attending West Point since she was 4 years old, inspired by the stories her mother and friends had told her.
The four women had different reasons for joining the Army, but they all share the same pride in their legacy. For them, legacy means more than being second generation Army or second generation West Point. Legacy is about passing down the lessons and values learned by previous generations. It is about contributing to something bigger than oneself and helping to carve out a better world for the next generation, which is exactly what these four are doing.
They said it best, “Nothing is ever achieved without hard work, sacrifice and dedication. Our faith and our values have been instrumental in getting us to this point. We arrived here together; as a team. We are four African American women, affiliated in some fashion with the United States Military Academy, who have sworn and oath to protect our country. At times, the road has been brutal. But, through dedication, perseverance and team work, we were able to keep moving forward. Our nation is going through tough times right now battling COVID and institutionalized racism. We encourage all to seek to understand and walk hand in hand until we reach resolution and heal this land.”
We are proud to have LTC Copeland on and proud to have 2LT June Copeland, CDT Jeilyn Haynes, and CDT Jasmyn Haynes as part of our Army extended family.
Virginia National Guard National Guard Army Personnel HQDA ASA M&RA G-1
