thedrifter
08-10-07, 02:33 PM
Published August 09, 2007 11:20 pm - Next week, Marine Recruit Gregory Eiler, a graduate of Anderson Highland High School, will graduate from recruit training in San Diego.
Boot camp: Getting ready for graduation
Steve Dick
Editor's note: Assistant Managing Editor Stephen Dick is in San Diego Aug. 6-10 as part of a Marine Corps Educators Workshop, paid for by the Marine Corps. His updates and stories will appear at www.theheraldbulletin.com and in coming issues of the newspaper.
SAN DIEGO - Gregory Eiler, 22, stood at parade rest in front of the mess hall and talked to a reporter about his Aug. 17 graduation from recruit training.
He's mostly looking forward to Family Day on Aug. 16 when his wife Clerisa and 2-year-old son Brian make the trip west to see him graduate.
That Thursday will be similar to this Thursday when family members came from all over to see the transformation their sons made during the last 13 weeks. It's likely they'll be surprised.
On Thursday, with a clearing southern California sky and omnipresent airplanes taking off from nearby San Diego International Airport, family members lined the parade grounds as newly minted Marines, dressed in green shorts and T-shirts, made their motivational run, an event designed to show family members just that transformation. They stopped in front of the wildly cheering civilians to do some close-order drill before continuing their run to the headquarters of Brigadier Gen. Angela Salinas, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the first woman ever assigned to that position.
Jerry Tolley and his family were there after flying out from Remington, Ind. They were on hand to see son Jason who entered Purdue to study engineering but "things weren't happening fast enough for him," said Tolley, who drives a UPS truck. Jason decided to join. Tolley's proud of his son, saying admiringly that recruits know they can go to Iraq at any time.
While some Marines were running, Company K members were being presented their eagle, globe and anchor awards.
"This award is more than individual and team effort," said the sergeant talking to the assembled guests and family members gathered on the bleachers next to parade grounds. "It signifies their transformation to be a U.S. Marine."
The eagle, he explained, overlooks the western hemisphere, the globe is for worldwide service and the anchor stands for deep roots in naval traditions.
With that Company K commenced a five-hour liberty to visit with family members. On Friday, the recruits graduate before heading home for a 10-day leave.
For more reports from San Diego on Marine boot camp, go to www.theheraldbulletin.com and coming issues of the newspaper.
Ellie
Boot camp: Getting ready for graduation
Steve Dick
Editor's note: Assistant Managing Editor Stephen Dick is in San Diego Aug. 6-10 as part of a Marine Corps Educators Workshop, paid for by the Marine Corps. His updates and stories will appear at www.theheraldbulletin.com and in coming issues of the newspaper.
SAN DIEGO - Gregory Eiler, 22, stood at parade rest in front of the mess hall and talked to a reporter about his Aug. 17 graduation from recruit training.
He's mostly looking forward to Family Day on Aug. 16 when his wife Clerisa and 2-year-old son Brian make the trip west to see him graduate.
That Thursday will be similar to this Thursday when family members came from all over to see the transformation their sons made during the last 13 weeks. It's likely they'll be surprised.
On Thursday, with a clearing southern California sky and omnipresent airplanes taking off from nearby San Diego International Airport, family members lined the parade grounds as newly minted Marines, dressed in green shorts and T-shirts, made their motivational run, an event designed to show family members just that transformation. They stopped in front of the wildly cheering civilians to do some close-order drill before continuing their run to the headquarters of Brigadier Gen. Angela Salinas, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the first woman ever assigned to that position.
Jerry Tolley and his family were there after flying out from Remington, Ind. They were on hand to see son Jason who entered Purdue to study engineering but "things weren't happening fast enough for him," said Tolley, who drives a UPS truck. Jason decided to join. Tolley's proud of his son, saying admiringly that recruits know they can go to Iraq at any time.
While some Marines were running, Company K members were being presented their eagle, globe and anchor awards.
"This award is more than individual and team effort," said the sergeant talking to the assembled guests and family members gathered on the bleachers next to parade grounds. "It signifies their transformation to be a U.S. Marine."
The eagle, he explained, overlooks the western hemisphere, the globe is for worldwide service and the anchor stands for deep roots in naval traditions.
With that Company K commenced a five-hour liberty to visit with family members. On Friday, the recruits graduate before heading home for a 10-day leave.
For more reports from San Diego on Marine boot camp, go to www.theheraldbulletin.com and coming issues of the newspaper.
Ellie