Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael J. Risola was born prematurely with a blood disease, weighing two pounds, half-way around the world in October 1996.
He was later placed in a Moscow orphanage for children with special needs, waiting for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Adopted by Sam and Linda Risola, the 3-year-old boy arrived at his new home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, to begin a new life dedicated to service.
Giving Back
“I am here to serve those who seek to fulfill their life’s purpose,” said Risola, assigned to Guard Company, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. “I have been given so much … I had to give back.”
Risola, a Marine Corps security force guard, said he has an important mission to provide security for senior staff members of the Marine Corps and Navy in the Military District of Washington.
Marine Barracks, also known as "8th & I," is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps and supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation's capital to include the 58th Presidential Inauguration.
Youth Volunteer Activities
During his eighth-grade year, Risola became active in volunteering and served in many programs like the Boys and Girls Club, before and after school activities, Civil Air Patrol, Key Club and tutoring and mentoring, logging more than one thousand volunteer service hours.
In February 2015, Risola joined the Marine Corps, and after completing boot camp, infantry and guard training, he arrived to his first assignment, where he is also a member of a fellowship program with his congressman.
Upcoming Presidential Inauguration
Risola, who aspires to be a congressman to serve the American people, said he’s making the best from every opportunity that he is given, and that he is excited and honored to serve in any capacity of the Jan. 20, 2017, presidential inauguration.
Risola said it’s exciting to have a new commander in chief.
“Regardless of who won the election … I’m in a position where I serve the president of the United States,” he said.
“This opportunity to be in D.C. is history,” he added. “I’m literally living through history right now.
Risola added, “It’s incredible that you can start off at two pounds in Russia and you can be here, right now, especially with the inauguration of our next president. This is something I’ll cherish, not only to say I was there when it happened, [but that] I served as a Marine.”