thedrifter
03-07-06, 10:21 AM
Kewanee marine returns to Iraq
By Star Courier staff
KEWANEE — A Kewanee marine has embarked on her second tour of duty in Iraq.
Cpl. Andrea Wates has been redeployed with her unit, a motor transportation company, stationed at Camp LeJeune, N.C., and is scheduled to return in September.
Her first tour in Iraq lasted from February to October of last year after which she received an enthusiastic homecoming at the Quad City International Airport from family and friends. Prior to her return, Wates also was singled out by the Marine Corps for a commendation medal for exceptional service while in Iraq.
She is the daughter of Paul Wates and Maye and Ronnie Talbot, all of Kewanee, and broke the news to her family about the second tour around Christ-mas.
“It’s just up and down, up and mostly down — you just never know,” said her mother about her daughter’s second trip to Iraq.
“The last we heard from ‘Pippy’ (her nickname) is that she has been promoted from lance corporal to corporal in Iraq,” Mrs. Talbot said. “We are all proud of her and wish her the best of luck. She is in our prayers every day. A part of our hearts is in Iraq and we want her back safe.”
Wates is a 1994 graduate of Kewanee High School who joined the marines in 2003. She completed the Logistics Vehicle Systems Operator course at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., in September of 2003 and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, from October of 2003 to October of 2004.
She was then assigned to duty in Thailand where she received a high achievement award for outstanding service.
She is now a member of the 2-FSSG Company at Camp LeJeune. Her current enlistment in the marines expires in 2007 after which her mother says Cpl. Wates plans to re-enlist for another three-year hitch.
Her address is:
CPL Wates, Andrea J.
CLR15 TS Company
Unit 42145
FPO-AE 96426-2145
Friends also may reach her by e-mail at: pippy.jean76@yahoo.com
Ellie
By Star Courier staff
KEWANEE — A Kewanee marine has embarked on her second tour of duty in Iraq.
Cpl. Andrea Wates has been redeployed with her unit, a motor transportation company, stationed at Camp LeJeune, N.C., and is scheduled to return in September.
Her first tour in Iraq lasted from February to October of last year after which she received an enthusiastic homecoming at the Quad City International Airport from family and friends. Prior to her return, Wates also was singled out by the Marine Corps for a commendation medal for exceptional service while in Iraq.
She is the daughter of Paul Wates and Maye and Ronnie Talbot, all of Kewanee, and broke the news to her family about the second tour around Christ-mas.
“It’s just up and down, up and mostly down — you just never know,” said her mother about her daughter’s second trip to Iraq.
“The last we heard from ‘Pippy’ (her nickname) is that she has been promoted from lance corporal to corporal in Iraq,” Mrs. Talbot said. “We are all proud of her and wish her the best of luck. She is in our prayers every day. A part of our hearts is in Iraq and we want her back safe.”
Wates is a 1994 graduate of Kewanee High School who joined the marines in 2003. She completed the Logistics Vehicle Systems Operator course at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., in September of 2003 and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, from October of 2003 to October of 2004.
She was then assigned to duty in Thailand where she received a high achievement award for outstanding service.
She is now a member of the 2-FSSG Company at Camp LeJeune. Her current enlistment in the marines expires in 2007 after which her mother says Cpl. Wates plans to re-enlist for another three-year hitch.
Her address is:
CPL Wates, Andrea J.
CLR15 TS Company
Unit 42145
FPO-AE 96426-2145
Friends also may reach her by e-mail at: pippy.jean76@yahoo.com
Ellie