FRANKFORT, Ky. — Daryl Hoffman Jr. felt pride as he kept the “faith of his fathers” by becoming the fourth generation in his family to almost join a branch of the U.S. military.

“It was an emotional experience, standing there outside the recruiter’s office for a full ten minutes,” said Hoffman. “Imagining the sacrifices I could make serving my country.”

According to the Hoffman family, their proud tradition started over 75 years ago, at the height of the Second World War when Daryl’s great-grandfather, Beauregard Nathanial Hoffman, nearly joined the Army. Inspired by the courage of some of his friends who enlisted right after Pearl Harbor, Beau mulled over his options for a year.

“The story goes that the day he was to walk down to the recruitment center and sign up, he had a sore throat. He decided it was a sign that the country needed him more at home, selling life insurance and keeping a watchful eye on America’s sweethearts,” said Hoffman, with a wink.