It is lunchtime, but Hole-in-One Donuts off Alexander Street is still bustling with breakfast customers. The Kun family operates the business, and it’s members always greet patrons with a smile.
Tommy Kun once worked at the same counter, helping his dad, Sam, early in the mornings to prepare the shop for the breakfast rush. He also donated his time after school. But, he’s gone now.
From donuts to military drills, Tommy left Plant City, in December, to join the U.S. Air Force.
Judy Kun writes a letter so her son every day. She misses him deeply but knows he’s living out his life’s calling.
“The first two weeks, I cried every day,” Judy says.
Tommy didn’t just leave behind his parents and brother, Jerry, to serve his country. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, just before he left for boot camp.
“It’s hard to see his family every day, and he’s not here,” Kathy says.
But, she knows he’s sacrificing for the greater good. He’s also working to build them a better life.
BOOT CAMP AND BEYOND
Tommy had been considering joining the military for about a year. Kathy’s father, a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Army, shared with him the details about the military. That inspired him to enlist.
“I always preferred the Air Force, because from what I’ve heard, it’s a better lifestyle than compared to the other branches,” Tommy says.
Tommy and Kathy finally found the courage to tell his parents. The family was sad to see him go but proud of his dedication and ambition.
“I didn’t want to let him go away,” Judy says. “But I knew it was right for him. I understand. We understand.”
Before he left for boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas, Kathy and Tommy said good-bye by exchanging vows in a small ceremony at the courthouse. The two had met at Durant High School. Tommy was her brother’s best friend, so she didn’t initially pursue him. But, once she told her brother, also named Tommy, that she had a secret crush, the two began dating.
Boot camp is hard for any recruit, but Tommy relied on the work ethic he learned from his family to lead him through it.
“Boot camp was a game, really, between the military training instructors and the trainees,” Tommy says. “It was a great experience. I made what I would consider lifelong friends.”
With family in mind, the biggest obstacle wasn’t tough drills or psychological warfare. Rather, it was just being away from home.
“Being away from my wife and my family was the hardest part,” he says.
PLANT CITY PRIDE
Graduation was a day of triumph. Kun’s family closed the shop down for four days to travel to see him.
“It was very exciting,” his father, Sam, says.
The first time they saw Tommy was during the Airman’s Run. The 2.5-mile run is a victory celebration ending at a reception with family and friends.
Sam was the first one to spot Tommy.
“He’s not supposed to smile, but I saw Tommy smile anyway,” Sam says.
It was a proud moment for his family.
“I’m definitely proud, but I know it’s going to be hard when he deploys,” Kathy says.
Fortunately for Kathy, that won’t be for a little while longer. Tommy is now stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Texas, studying aircraft metals technology until May. Tommy will perform aircraft maintenance through welding, creating templates, removing poisonous deposits and more.
“Tech school has been a breeze, with all the freedom they give you compared to boot camp,” Tommy says. “My classes are pretty easy, because it deals with more of a hands-on experience, which I prefer.”
After he graduates from technical school, Tommy and Kathy will move to Moody Air Force Base, in Georgia.
Tommy is no stranger to moving. When he was younger, his family moved from Boston to Plant City to start the shop.
“I do miss Plant City,” Tommy says. “It was a big change for me coming from Boston to Plant City, but I met some of the sweetest customers. It was a pleasure to come into work and meet all my Plant City customers every morning.”
And although he no longer will see his customers, Tommy knows he’ll have plenty of visits with his family on holidays.
“We are very, very proud,” Judy says. “It’s hard that he went, but when we see him, what he’s done, we’re so proud.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.