Honoring Maxton

Maxton graduated from Edison High School in 2017 with a determined mind to join the Navy. He went to boot camp at Great Lakes Chicago and from there he went to Texas for A school. Once he graduated A school he was stationed in Guam. While in Guam he worked as a medic in vaccinations and surgery. Guam provided him with many opportunities to meet some amazing people and grow as a person. During his time there he enjoyed cliff diving, scuba diving, cross fit, wrestling, jujitsu, and was able to help start a biddy wrestling program.

He dreamed of going greenside with the Marines and was looking forward to making that dream come true. He attended Corpsman school in California at Camp Pendleton. Upon graduation he was assigned to 2/1 Ghost company. He felt a sense of pride and excitement as things were falling into place. While on a routine deployment to Jordan the battalion was called to assist with the humanitarian effort to evacuate those trying to escape the Taliban in Kabul.

On August 26th, 2021, while at Abbey gate he along with 12 other service members as well as over 170 Afghans were killed by a suicide bomber. Maxton died doing what he felt passionate about. Serving his country regardless of who they were and where they were born, saving one person at a time. 

Maxton was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon, and Fleet Marine Forces Specialist Warfare Designation.

"because also, if the world was coming to an end, I don’t wanna close my eyes without feeling like I lived"

Growing Up with Max


Maxton before the Military

Maxton (Max) William Soviak was born on January 22nd, 1999. He was our 5th child in a home of 13 children, 6 of whom were adopted. Our home was full of children as we did foster care for most of his childhood. We always told him you can’t choose your parents, the color of your skin, or where you were born. I believe that is something he took with him in life. He had hoped to become a foster parent himself one day. He loved his family fiercely and reminded us of how lucky we were in one of his last text messages to our family while at Abbey Gate. His childhood dog, a German Shephard named Tango, was his loyal companion always by his side. The connection did not end when he was away as Tango waited patiently for his “boy” to come home on leave to visit.

Max was raised in a small town in Ohio. They say it takes a village and he certainly had that within our community. He tried many things while looking for his true passion. He participated in baseball, track, tennis, and band. He was a Boy Scouts of America Life Scout and was on the junior rifle team. His true passions were football and wrestling. He could always be found on the field with his #27 jersey which had special meaning to him. His dad’s football jersey was #72 and his parents’ anniversary is the 27th. Max was an avid reader enjoying many different genres although history was his favorite. He attended Edison High School and Ehove Career Center focusing on Electrical Technology before joining the Navy.

As a small child I read him the book “Where the Wild Things Are”. It described him perfectly. He was our King of the Wild things, always creating chaos yet at the end of the day I would remind him it was still hot just like the end of the book. It was our way to say, no matter what happens at the end of the day we will always love you. Max loved creating shenanigans and had a way of charming himself out of many situations. He had a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. He was not afraid to try new things and was full of adventure. 

Max may have only lived 22 years, but he sure did live his life to the MAX!

“Oh, please don’t go I’ll eat you up I love you so”, Love Mom…