Tyler Pettee,Bo and Michael Diaz Serving in U.S. Army

Three Winthrop High School graduates are currently serving in the military.

SPC Tyler Robert Pettee

Tyler is a 2011 graduate of WHS where he played four years in the baseball, hockey, and golf programs. Tyler is a 2015 graduate of New England College, receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in business.

Tyler enlisted in the U.S. Army in April, 2017, and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., in June, 2017. He graduated Infantry in July from the 198th Infantry Brigade/Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment and in August Airborne 1 507th A Co., 3rd PLT.

He is currently a Special Forces candidate in Ecco Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training group, at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Tyler is the son of Wayne Pettee, owner of Pettee Oil Company LLC, and Michelle Pettee, officer manager at Pettee Oil Company LLC. He is the grandson of Barbara Pettee and the late Robert Pettee and Michael Zarba and Adele Zarba, all of Winthrop.

Tyler’s sister, Angela Pettee, is a special education teacher in the Saugus public schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Plymouth State University and a master’s degree in special education/severe disabilities.

 

PV2 Robert L. “Bo” Diaz

Bo Diaz is a 2013 graduate of Winthrop High School where he played football, lacrosse, and baseball. He was a group winner of Winthrop’s Got Talent Contest first prize in 2013.

Bo attended college for two years. He became an ironworker and was a union member for one year.

Having taken the military service exam in high school, Bo had considering either the National Guard or enlisting in active duty. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in May, 2017, and graduated in August from Basic Training.

 

PV1 Michael J. Diaz

Michael Diaz, Bo’s younger brother, is a 2016 graduate of Winthrop High School where he played basketball, soccer, and football.

While in high school, Michael considered joining the military. He attended college for one semester and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He graduated basic training on June, 2017.

Michael and Bo’s basic trainings overlapped so the brothers saw each at Fort Benning for six weeks every Sunday at mass.

Bo and Michael are the sons of Patricia McGee Diaz, who works for the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, and Robert Diaz. Bo amd Michael are third generation U.S. Army. His father, Robert, was deployed in the service, recently retiring after serving more than 30 years in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard. Bo and Michael’s grandfather is a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Bo and Michael’s sister, Marissa, recently received her Master’s degree in Health Administration from Regis College. Their grandmother is retired Winthrop High boys track coach Patricia McGee, an inductee in the Mass. State Track Coaches Hall of Fame.

The whole family traveled to Georgia for Bo and Michael’s basic training graduation ceremony.

“We are so proud of our children,” said Patricia McGee Diaz. “They are willing to serve our country and not many people make that kind of commitment.”