Revere grad and Purple Heart recipient honored
The Revere Alumni Association and the Revere Schools Foundation inducted Aaron Hale, Revere class of 1996, into the Revere Alumni Hall of Fame on March 17.
Hale was an active student at Revere, having participated in student council, principal’s leadership forum, homecoming court, lacrosse and football. He was chosen all-league in football.
He attended Bowling Green State University before joining the Navy in 1999, where he served as chef to the commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet until 2007. He then transferred to the Army to become an expert explosive ordnance disposal technician.
EOD technicians are trained to destroy and disable unexploded ordnances, improvised explosive devices and weapons of mass destruction. Hale’s unit completed 1,100 IED missions, destroying more than 20,000 pounds of enemy explosives.
On Dec. 8, 2011, Hale was working on an IED when it exploded, leaving him with severe injuries to his face, eyes and hearing. After several surgeries, it was determined that his eyesight could not be restored.
He was transported to several different facilities before ending up at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, which specializes in blind rehabilitation.
Not letting his injuries hold him back, Hale became an EOD instructor, motivational speaker, mountain climber, white water kayaker and marathon runner. He worked to help others who were blind.
Four years later tragedy struck again when he contracted bacterial meningitis, which robbed him of his hearing. For months he communicated by having words written into his palms.
During that time he started cooking, often preparing fudge. His love of fudge was the beginning of his confectionary business, Extra Ordinary Delights, with the same EOD acronym.
After several surgeries to repair damaged tissue he received cochlear implants and his hearing was restored.
Hale is a husband and father of three boys, age 12 and 3-year old twins. He runs a thriving chocolate company with his wife, and has partnered with a fellow wounded veteran and friend to form a real estate investment company. He’s also a social media influencer and recently completed his third, 100-mile ultra marathon.
Aaron Hale has received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, two Army Good Conduct Medals, Army Achievement Medal, two Navy Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Excellence Award, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals, Naval Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and five Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons.
Revere Principal Dr. Andy Peltz opened the induction ceremony in the Revere gym, and Dr. Zachary Mellion, president of the Revere Schools Foundation, provided introductory remarks. Revere Alumni Association President Phil Heyn shared alumni remarks. Former Revere High Principal William Holko introduced Hale. Assistant Superintendent Micki Krantz provided closing comments and attendees sang the Revere Alma Mater. ∞
Featured Photo: Revere graduate Aaron Hale is inducted into the Revere Hall of fame at a ceremony with (l-r)Dr. Zach Mellion, Revere Schools Foundation president; Phil Heyn, Revere Alumni president; Hale, 2023 inductee; and Dr. Andy Peltz, Revere High School principal. Photo submitted.