This is the 31st in a series about graduates from Mountain Valley High School who are serving our country in the military.
For many, retirement means ending work or a career. But for Staff Sergeant Cory Heinzen, it means spending time with his family and beginning school for a new career.
A member of Mountain Valley High School Class of 1997, SSgt Heinzen retired from active duty with the U. S. Marine Corps on Oct. 1, 2013. He had numerous jobs during his enlistment.
SSgt Heinzen explained, “I was primarily an infantry Marine, which are the guys on the ground conducting either wartime or peacekeeping operations. I also served as a combat instructor for newly commissioned Marine officers, a gunsmith, a security guard and as a Marine Corps recruiter.”
In the course of his service, he saw some of the world. He was stationed in Manama, Bahrain, on the Persian Gulf. His stateside duty stations included Quantico, VA; Camp Lejuene, NC; Hyannis, MA; and Augusta.
SSgt. Heinzen enlisted and served for family.
He said, “I was raised in a very patriotic household, where we had a long family history of military service. My father, Mike Heinzen, and my uncle, Andy Dupuis, served in the U.S. Army. My cousin’s husband, Tom Pelletier, served in the U.S. Air Force.”
SSgt. Heinzen added, “But most importantly I did it because I didn’t want my kids growing up in a world where they had to worry about planes falling on their heads.”
Now that he has retired from active duty, SSgt Heinzen is doing a variety of things as he transitions to his next career.
“I’ve been spending a majority of my time with my wife Jennifer and my two kids Madison and Kyler,” he said. “My daughter, Madison, is 13 years old and my son, Kyler, is 11 years old.”
When SSgt Heinzen isn’t having fun with his family, he has a fascinating and unusual hobby.
He explained, “I’m also a member of GRAVES, which is a local paranormal investigation team that helps educate the public about ghosts. GRAVES conducts paranormal investigations in either homes or businesses for our clients to either validate or disprove a client’s claims of paranormal activity. If something is found, we then assist them in better understanding what it is they are experiencing and how to live with it. We also host paranormal tours for the general public at places around the state and sometimes out of state.”
Then he has to prepare for his next career.
SSgt Heinzen said, “Hopefully I’m going to start college at UMF in the fall for wildlife conservation. I want to try and help with the reintroduction of gray wolves into the state of Maine.”
Like most members of the military, he still thinks of Marines who are still serving, particularly those who are deployed.
SSgt Cory would like readers to know, “The best way for people to support our service members here at home is to become involved with the programs that are offered by groups like the VFW and the American Legion. So many times our days were made brighter while on deployment, just because groups like them took the time to send a care package. Just to know that people appreciate what they are doing over there makes all the difference in the world!”
In addition to his support team of Jennifer, Madison and Kyler, SSgt Cory was encouraged by this parents, Michael and Janice Heinzen of Mexico.

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