DERRY — Both young men sat side by side and held out their hands, palms facing up, so everyone could see.
For Pascal, his hand showed two deep lines crossing over his palm; his twin brother, Nathen, only had one prominent "life" line on his hand.
This, according to Lucienne DeMeo, is one way people can tell her twin sons apart. Many others through the years haven't had it so easy.
"They are identical," DeMeo said proudly, "and they have always been good kids."
Good enough for the Derry twins, recent graduates of Pinkerton Academy, to receive appointments to attend the United States Military Service academies at Annapolis and West Point, respectively. An older DeMeo brother, Paul, will be a junior at West Point next year. Both Pascal and Nathen spent four years as cadets in Pinkerton's AFJROTC program. Pascal also served as Cadet Group Commander during his senior year.
"I always wanted to go to a service academy since my freshman year," Nathen said.
Pascal agreed and both said joining the AFJROTC program helped pave the twins' way for their future choices. Add in the fact their older brother heralded the program's fine points on a regular basis.
"He said it was a lot of fun," Nathen said.
But in addition to fun, the program supported a strict regiment of discipline, community service, teamwork, and friendship — all areas of a young student's life that makes the future perhaps a bit more attainable when it comes to making those life choices that could lead to a military career.
In the DeMeo brothers' case, making the decision to accept appointments to Annapolis and West Point added to the special bond of growing up together, spending time together, and now heading off in separate directions to prepare for the future.
Pinkerton Academy's Headmaster Mary Anderson said she is impressed with the respect and honor the twins exhibited while on campus and during their years in the AFJROTC program.
"You don't see that much respect all the time," Anderson said. "It's a reflection of the program, and also a reflection of the parents."
The twins' father, Paul, said his boys always worked hard, studied hard, played hard, and now are ready to move forward.
"When they want something, they go after it," he said. "They strive for it."
The DeMeo twins were nominated for their military academy appointments by U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter and also director of Pinkerton Academy's Aerospace Science Department Lt. Col. Howie Steadman. Steadman added the DeMeo boys demonstrate what AFJROTC is all about.
"These are two of the finest cadets to come through our program," Steadman said. "We are very proud of them."
Both DeMeo brothers said the leadership skills and strong values they learned while part of Pinkerton's AFJROTC program will remain with them forever. Add in the strong friendships made, and the years at Pinkerton will be hard to forget.
"I made a lot of close friendships with a lot of people," Nathen said. "We'll miss them."
Pascal added he will also miss all his friends and even the curriculum and studies at Pinkerton.
"I'll miss my friends," he said. "I'll always remember that."
Pinkerton Academy spokesman Robin Perrin said this is only the second time in Pinkerton history that brothers have gone off to military academies following graduation. The previous time, three brothers from three different classes ended up at West Point.
Following basic training, Pascal said he hopes to enter a career in the Marine Corps or Navy. "I really want to be a Navy Seal," he said.
His brother, Nathen, is Army all the way.
"I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but I want to be in the Army," he said.
Anderson added she is proud of the boys and hopes their futures will be bright. She added she is proud that Pinkerton is so well-represented all over the world with graduates studying, working, and serving in the military in many locations.
"And I wanted to meet their mother and father," Anderson said, adding having strong parents instilling good values is so important.
"Every choice you made is to further them," she told the parents. "I know they will go a long way."
Anderson told the twins she hopes they return in December for Pinkerton's Young Alumni Day event.
"I can't wait for you to come back in December in uniform," Anderson said.
