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By ZACH ALVIRA
Cronkite News
MESA — David DiDomenico doesn’t have to imagine the appearance of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.
He has a piece of it framed in his classroom at Mesa High School.
DiDomenico, 50, cherishes the barbed wire fence he was given eight years ago by Gabriel Lopez, a 2006 graduate of Mesa High and current member of the Air Force stationed in Spain.
Lopez is a part of a long list of Mesa wrestlers coached by DiDomenico who have gone into the military.
“We have a strong tradition of military,” DiDomenico said in his classroom, where he teaches classes in history and one in sports psychology. “It is a good way for them to challenge themselves and help others.”
DiDomenico, a long-time educator, has served as the Mesa wrestling coach twice for a total of 10 years. He estimates that close to 30 former wrestlers of his have enlisted in the military. While he has never served himself, he is the son of a Vietnam veteran and stepson of a colonel in the Army during the Cold War. He has witnessed first hand what he says are the benefits of joining the military.
“It allows them to overcome adversity,” he said. “A number of them have done that and have become very successful.”
The wrestling program’s history of military service dates back to its beginning more than 50 years ago. DiDomenico says the tradition stems from the mental toughness within the program.
That remains the same this year.
Senior wrestler Anthony Flores knew for years he wanted to serve on the front lines of the Army. It was the mindset he carried when he joined the Mesa wrestling program. Earning an opportunity to wrestle in college never crossed his mind.
On April 9, in front of an announced crowd of about 30,000 at Chase Field, Flores moved closer to his goal when he was among those sworn into the United States Army. The special ceremony took place before first pitch of the Diamondbacks game against the Cleveland Indians. He will join the Army in August.
“I was nervous,” Flores said during an interview in DiDomenico’s classroom. “I was just down there in front of everyone, but it was a cool experience. It was something I got to experience that most don’t.”
His early decision made it easier on his friends and family.
“My mom was pretty sad about it at first,” he said. “I just told her that it was something I always wanted to do, and she began to understand it. My dad was pretty excited.”
Senior wrestler Isaiah Santillan is trying to decide whether to join the military. With a career goal of becoming a fireman, he sees the benefits of both the military and college routes to gain the proper certifications.
This year, while weighing both options, he sat down with a Navy recruiter at Mesa for more information. After his visit, a future in the military became more realistic, but he still sought advice from his peers.
“I asked my family and friends,” he said. “I got a lot of mixed reactions, and my mom even cried. I talked about all the benefits that could come out of it for me.”
Santillan believes that he will have an option to learn the basics of becoming a firefighter in the military. He knows he can complete the rest of his certifications when he returns home.
The benefits for his future have always outweighed any fears he had of enlisting. In fact, Santillan says the thought of combat did not affect him. Instead, he feared leaving his family for an extended amount of time.
“It presents a good challenge to see how independent you are,” he said. “I feel like it is another challenge. I want to be able to make a difference.”
Flores and Santillan are not the only wrestlers this year who have considered the military.
Senior Kade Perry has enlisted in the Navy, and senior Brigham Gayton is also deciding between joining the military or attending school to also pursue a career as a fireman. No matter their decisions, DiDomenico’s passion for his former wrestlers remains the same.
“They’re my kids,” he said. “I wasn’t blessed with any biological kids, so these guys are all of my kids. Just like wrestling, the military creates a family, and I am still in touch with all of them.”
His father-like character to his wrestlers has earned him other rewards separate from the barbed wire fence that Lopez gave him. One in particular that remains close to his heart is an American flag – also given to him by Lopez – flown in his honor at Sather Air Base in Iraq.
As he recalls a message of gratitude from Jake Prescott – a former wrestler now stationed in Iraq – the emotion on DiDomenico’s face shows his appreciation for every member of his team past and present. While he expresses worry for those in the military or enlisting, he believes they are well prepared for situations they encounter.
“They’re selfless for joining,” he said. “It wasn’t about them wanting to make money — it was them wanting to serve. It is going to be a tough road, but they are going to be ready for it.”
