A high-profile visitor returned to Central New York with a message to kids from his old stomping grounds.

The call and commitment to military service was answered by a skinny kid from just outside Syracuse, and it has paid off.

"Yeah, a lot of people when they first see me, they'll see the uniform to see a flag officer. What I really want them to understand is I'm just a kid from Camillus,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Okon. “I'm a kid from West Genny."

Rear Admiral Okon made his way home with the Navy Outreach program and a full schedule. He was a guardian on the 10th anniversary Honor Flight, threw out a first pitch for the Syracuse Mets and went on a talking tour with students of different ages about his background.

"A lot of who I am, what I believe my work ethic. Those were all planted here," said Okon. "Means a lot to me to be able to come back and give back to the community that instilled in me. Strong work ethic, education, sense of community the values of honor courage and commitment. You can see those right here."

You'd think a two-star admiral, and the Navy's top guy for meteorology and oceanography, would have been a stellar student.

"My path to flag has not been has not been smooth. I made choices early in life that I'm not necessarily proud of," said Okon. "It wasn't until I was out of college that I decided, ‘hey, I really need to start making good choices for my character and take what I was taught here at West Genny.’ That hard work’s a talent equalizer."

As Okon talks to the next generations, he said he can't help but feel a connection to the kid he used to be and the communities he's been a part of. He says it all comes full circle.

"They owe it to their teachers, their parents to pay forward and that this is a very special place,” Okon said. “It's a very special school, very special community."

The week isn't necessarily a recruiting mission, but a tour of good faith, and with any luck, inspiration.

"It's really inspiring to see that the continuation of the things that have helped develop me into who I am today are going to develop the next generation of young leaders and most likely, and I would hope the next generation of flag officers will come from West Genesee," said Okon.