By Aaron HagstromStaff writer, LTC Public Affairs OfficeFt. Knox, KYWilliam Kapala of Echo Co. just graduated from high school, but the 18-year-old Cadet with Echo Company is already helping to financially support his family. The Kapala family dream was to build a butcher cow farm with a house and barn on the outskirts of Warrensberg, Mo. However, soon after construction began nearly two years ago, an unstable concrete foundation held up further work on the farmhouse. The family struggled for restitution from the building contractors. A day after a court date was set for this spring, the house burned to the ground. Kapala’s sister’s firefighter boyfriend called with the news, while Kapala was cooking dinner for a younger brother. The fire was so vicious that with a fair wind, it might have easily taken out the forest around the house, too. By the time it was extinguished, the house was destroyed and many of the farm animals killed, including dogs and chickens. Insurance didn’t cover the damages. To raise money for a new farmhouse, Kapala completely reworked his college plans. Prior to the barn burning, his goal was to attend the University of Central Missouri and study aviation. But this was now impractical, especially with a brother and sister in college. About a week and a half after the fire, Kapala rushed through Army ROTC paperwork at Wentworth Military Academy to meet the deadline. He joined the Army Early Commissioning Program to pay for college tuition. And simultaneously, he enlisted with the Louisiana National Guard for room and board benefits. “It was a pretty traumatic change.” Kapala said. “But I would feel really bad to put them in debt just for me to go through college.” In addition, Kapala worked as a lifeguard manager prior to coming to LTC this summer for 45 hours a week. He gave his entire salary to his family. “It was all focused on getting my parents out to the farm,” Kapala said. “I didn’t have a lot of free time, but you do what you got to do.” As an Army pilot, Kapala will be restricted to flying helicopters, but he is not too particular -- as long as he gets to fly. Kapala attributes his love of aviation to his uncle, a retired Air Force pilot, who took him flying in his single-propelled airplane when he was 8 years old. But the flying bug runs in the family. His father is a B-2 flight simulator maintenance technician at a local Air Force base, and his mother was once an air traffic controller. His ROTC scholarship and National Guard incentives cover Kapala’s tuition, books, uniforms, housing and other expenses each semester He sends whatever money he has left back to his parents. Kapala said his parents are thankful for his support, and they hope to move into the new farmhouse by Christmas. Cadre at LTC say that many of the traits Kapala exhibits back home he shows in his training, said 2nd Lt. Erin Folgert, his squad tactical officer. They consider him a team player who gets along well with his squadmates. His drill sergeant believes all he needs do now is to continue developing himself as a leader. “He has the best intentions,” Staff Sgt. Rebekah Gray said.
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