CAMP LEATHERNECK -- At age 10 many children are busy learning at elementary school. However, one boy was already on his own during a typical day, trying to sell candy for more than the original price so he could buy food. Many times kids from the school would come by and make fun of him, and throw rocks.
Now 23 years old, LCpl. John Garcia, said that he has encountered many situations like these, which literally tested his will to survive. After being abandoned by his mother and losing his father to suicide, Garcia was forced to grow up on his own at age six. He ran with gangs from an early age, so he would be provided security, and sometimes stole food after going days without eating anything.For the next 9 years, Garcia bounced around on the streets, going wherever work or safety would take him. He lived anywhere he could feel safe, usually in abandoned homes. Through much of his childhood, Garcia educated himself whenever the opportunity presented itself. “If you were alone you might get mugged,” he said. “If you looked at somebody the wrong way you could get beaten. If you fell asleep for too long you could get robbed, and then mugged. There were nights where I couldn’t find a home to sleep in. I had many lonely nights sleeping outside.” At age 15, Garcia’s life changed. He moved in with his uncle, Charles Lee, who would become the most influential person in his life. He said that his uncle became a father figure, and only real sense of family he had ever known. It was the first full year of his life that he was able to live in one place. Lee, a former military pilot who served in World War II, taught Garcia the value of knowledge. “He gave me the love of a father,” said Garcia. “He loved helping people, and he was an intelligent man who could’ve done anything with his life. He spoke 7 languages, and was a professor toward the end of his life, because he wanted to share with the rest of the world the gift of knowledge.”Eventually conflict between Garcia and his family forced him to move out on his own again, although he remained close to his aunt and uncle.After leaving his uncle’s house, he began attending high school while living in a series of foster homes. In many of these homes, the parents only seemed to care about the paycheck, but ultimately it provided him some stability. In Texas, 15% of foster students finish high school and only 2% go on to graduate from college, according to the Preparation for Adult Living Program. Many of the foster kids Garcia knew who didn’t complete high school ended up dead or in jail. Garcia didn’t want to become another number or statistic, and eventually earned his high school diploma. By being a foster child and a high school graduate, Garcia was presented with a rare opportunity. Under the Preparation for Adult Living Program, foster children who complete high school are eligible for college scholarships. Garcia received a letter from Texas Gov. Rick Perry complete with a tuition fee waiver and free schooling for college in the state of Texas. During this time Garcia also served as a motivational speaker, even speaking at an engagement with author Antwone Fisher, who also grew up as a foster child before joining the Navy to escape homelessness and a troubled past. During his 3-1/2 years of college at the University of Texas-Pan American, Garcia studied psychology. After college he took a new direction in his life, and enlisted in the Marine Corps, and though he could have become an officer with his education, Garcia said he wanted to experience the work and life of an enlisted Marine. Unlike some recruits who go through tough times during basic training, Garcia was relatively happy, because he always had a meal to eat and a place to sleep. Being treated like a recruit was the only real challenge of boot camp, because he had been living independent his whole life, he recounted. “The thing I treasure most from boot camp is during the crucible, when everyone reaches the top of that mountain, and we're all tired and have tears running down our faces, because we reached the pinnacle together,” said Garcia. “It made me realize the opportunity I had to be amongst men who are all volunteers, to protect a greater good. Nowhere in the civilian sector will you get that. I was proud that I found a group of people who valued a greater good more than themselves.” In February, Garcia deployed to Afghanistan with the Corpus Christi-based Co C, 1st Bn, 23rd Marines. Despite being on his first deployment, Garcia already knew what it was like to be in an environment where stress is constant. He embraced the tour as an opportunity to learn more.
“Garcia is hard as nails,” said 1st Sgt. David Dyess, co. 1st sgt. for Co C. “It could be raining outside during the night, and Garcia will be sleeping in it, while everyone else is trying to find ways to stay dry.” On one patrol shortly after Co C arrived in Helmand prov., a local Afghan approached the plt., to tell them his son had been killed by an IED. The father said he wasn’t very upset, because his child had died doing his job, collecting metal so he could sell it, and help provide food for his family. “This was an example to me about how much faith means to the Afghan people,” said Garcia. “They revolve their entire lives, everything that they do, around faith.” Now nearing the end of his deployment, Garcia said he hopes to continue to pursue the education his uncle emphasized, when he was younger. He also plans to pursue other military occupations, or perhaps try out for a place in Marine Corps special ops command. Through all of Garcia’s rough encounters, he has found ways to push on, when others might have quit. The lesson he’s learned is "everyone should appreciate the little things in life," he said. “It sounds clichéd, but you don’t know what you have until you’ve lost it,” he reflected. “People don’t really understand what they have until they experience survival. Am I going to have food? Am I going to have a place to sleep?” These are questions Garcia has had to ask himself for much of his life. “People need to appreciate what they have, even if it’s just each other,” he said, adding that he's saving money for the family he hopes to raise one day. “The number one thing I value now is the family I'll have in the future,” he concluded. “It’s crazy, but I love the idea of one day having my own family, wife and children. I want to make my future children proud, and become somebody worthy of love.”
Garcia and Cpl. Pedro Perez, vehicle cmdr. for 3rd Plt., stand security during a dismounted patrol outside of Camp Leatherneck.
Garcia and Cpl. Pedro Perez stand security.
Garcia poses for a photo at Camp Leatherneck.
Life Inside the Firehouse at FOB Apache
QALAT - Firefighters are a unique breed. They defy human instinct by risking their lives running towards danger. Firefighters from Air Forces Central's A7 Civil Engineering quick strike team (QST) recently set up shop. Members from the QST, who are from Eglin AF Base, Fla., and Davis-Monthan AF Base, Ariz., are here to provide CFR support to aircraft landing, as well as provide firefighting support to FOB Apache and neighbor, FOB Davis.
While the job that these men do is vital to the mission, it's hard not to notice their distinct personalities. A new acronym can be added to the never ending list of military jargon: gym, cleaning, laundry and brotherhood (GCLB). From first impressions, it isn't very hard to guess what their profession is. They reinforce the textbook picture of a firefighter. Gym -- Throughout the day, the “firedogs” can be found at one of 3 places: the firehouse, the dining facility, or the gym. They're every inch of the term gym warrior. Walk inside their shop, and no less than 5 tubs of protein powder will be seen. On the front table is a collection of shakes. Only hours after the team landed at Apache, they've already made themselves at home.Cleaning -- These men are always cleaning. If all of them weren't built like the juggernaut or Hollywood movie star, Matthew McConaughey, some may call them cleaning maids or janitors. By the evening, their firehouse/living quarters hybrid is already among the cleanest on base. Floors are swept, walls are clean, and everything is organized. Before arriving at Apache, the men knew that certain daily items weren't going to be accessible due to their remote location, so they stocked up on the essentials.Laundry -- "I love clean laundry, and I know I'm not the only one here," said Staff Sgt. Eric Kauntz. "We have enough laundry detergent to last the rest of the deployment. Laundry detergent is my bargaining chip here." The word “coworker” doesn't do justice to the bond these men have. Brotherhood -- Hang out with them for just minutes, and it's obvious that they're more than coworkers. "At home station, we eat together, work together, and are around each other day and night," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Scofield. "Our lives are in each other's hand. How many people can say that about the person they work with?"When some people deploy, they get teamed up with strangers. That's not the case for these men. "Even though half of our team is from another base, we still have a leg up on other folks who deploy," said Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Johnson, deputy fire chief. "When other units go to combat skills training, they have to learn what everyone's barriers are, and things like that. With us, we're already used to sleeping in the same room, cracking jokes on each other, and everything in between. We don't need to deploy to know everything about each other; we already do.PATROL BASE ERTOBA, Helmand province – Lt. Raul Cantu was returning from a patrol in the southern portion of Musa Qal’ah District, when the MRAP vehicle he was riding in struck an IED. The explosion jostled everyone inside. “I just remember a flash of light, hitting the ceiling, getting the wind knocked out of me, and being a little dazed,” said Cantu. Everyone was alive, but banged up pretty good. Suddenly, the voice of one of his teammates broke the silence over the radio, saying that they were coming to help them.
Cantu compared the situation to times when he has been in a tight spot as a police officer, and heard the sirens of another squad car coming to assist him. “I had seen before where people get blown up, ambushed. It’s just nice to hear an American voice coming for you,” said Cantu.Now, instead of patrolling the streets of Anaheim, he operates on the dusty, dangerous roads of Afghanistan. Cantu originally enlisted in the Navy in 1995. He reported to recruit training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., less than a month after returning from his honeymoon. After rising to the rank of petty officer 2nd class, Cantu applied for the enlisted to commissioning program in 1999. He enrolled at the University of Washington and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Law, Societies and Justice in just 2-1/2 years. In December 2002, Cantu was commissioned an Ensign, and was designated as a surface warfare officer. In 2007, Cantu left the service to spend more time with his wife and 4 kids. He had spent nearly 13 years in the Navy, mostly at sea. Cantu credits his wife, Bridget, for sticking with him through that time. “She’s good to go,” Cantu laughed. “She should be unit-issue.”He was accepted by the Anaheim Police Dept., and started training on December 24, 2008. “I felt it suited me,” said Cantu. “I could give you the standard blurb of ‘I wanted to serve and protect,’ but…it’s just a service mentality. We’re military and police officers, cut from the same mold. Service is what we are.” It was during this time that he also returned to the Navy, this time as a Reservist. The Navy was offering a hefty bonus for surface warfare officers, and Cantu said the money was too good to pass up. Cantu had been in the reserves for only a month when he took a physical readiness test and achieved a perfect score. Within weeks he had orders to 3rd ANGLICO, a Marine Corps Reserve unit based out of Bell, Calif. ANGLICO is a unit which specializes in calling for close air and fire support from aircraft, artillery and naval gunships. Much of 3rd ANGLICO consists of police officers, firefighters and paramedics from all over California. Knowing that Marines are recognized for their physical fitness standards, Cantu believes his PRT score is what led him to be assigned to them. “I was like, what the heck is ANGLICO?” he recalled. “I've no idea where I’m going. So, I showed up, found out about it, and thought ‘this sounds pretty good.’” Cantu was then sent to several schools for training, including Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer School at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. During his third year with the unit, Cantu was told he was being deployed to Afghanistan. Rather than be sent to another unit, Cantu chose to deploy with 3rd ANGLICO, which was augmented to support 1st ANGLICO. “I was attached to 3rd ANGLICO already,” said Cantu. “I know the mission, and I love it – blowing stuff up. “When you say those words, ‘cleared hot,’ I can’t describe it. It’s a pretty big responsibility. There’s not too many of us.” Now in Afghanistan, Cantu runs a team of 3 Marines. They coordinate close air support and medical evacuations for CF operating in RCT 8’s AO in Northeastern Helmand prov. Being a Navy Reservist among active duty Marines, made Cantu look like a fish out of water, but he has adjusted. “He’s a Naval Reservist, so automatically some Marines are going to criticize, but he’s adapted well,” said Cpl. Douglas Johnson, a forward observer with Cantu’s team. “He came out willing to do whatever was needed. He listens to us. He always takes our advice, and asks us how we would do things.” Cantu has observed several similarities between being a police officer in Anaheim and leading Marines in Afghanistan, most significantly the rules of engagement. He recently gave a class to soldiers from The Republic of Georgia on escalation of force, during which he highlighted principles which all police officers abide by. “If you pull that trigger, you need to know what’s behind that person,” said Cantu. “Know your weapon. Ask yourself, ‘Is your round going to go through the tree line into a heavily populated area, and possibly strike a civilian?’”For the next several months, Cantu will be operating out of armored vehicles and sandbag bunkers, providing CF with fire support in one of the most volatile areas in Helmand prov. Cantu’s brother, Gabriel, is also in the Navy, and is currently deployed to Kandahar prov., as an EOD tech.
Navy Lt. Raul Cantu talks with Staff Sgt. Chrisopher Sharp, the chief for SALT “Delta,” inside the combat ops center aboard PB Ertoba, Aug. 6.
Cantu at home in his Anaheim Police Dept uniform.
Sangin District Gov. Sherrif bows his head during a memorial ceremony for 3 fallen heroes of Scout Sniper Plt. (SSP), 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regt, and EOD Co, 8th Engr Support Bn, at FOB Jackson, Aug. 16. Sgt. Adan Gonzales, Jr., and Sgt. Joshua J. Robinson were killed in action, conducting combat ops in Sangin, Aug 7. Gonzales, an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, was scheduled to go to Scout Sniper School in Jan. (Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Logan Pierce)
FOB JACKSON, Helmand province -- “If there was one word to describe Gonzo it would be 'motivated,'” said Cpl. Daniel Bothwell. “After every brief before a mission, Gonzo would get all pumped up and say ‘Lets do it!,’ with the sound of excitement in his voice.” Marines, sailors and Afghan dignitaries paused to remember Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr., along with 2 other fallen heroes.
“Adan was the embodiment of what a hard working, dedicated Marine is and always should be. He always gave 110% in the performance of his duties, and was one of the hardest working Marines I've ever had the pleasure to serve with,” said GnrySgt. Shawn Hughes, the 1/5 SSP cmdr. “He always had a “can do” attitude no matter the situation. ‘No’ or ‘Can’t’ wasn’t in Adan’s vocabulary. His attitude towards accomplishing the mission embodied our platoon quote: ‘For so long we have done so much with so little that now we are capable of doing anything with nothing, never above you, never below you, you are my brother,’” said Hughes. That attitude and drive reflect boldly in his career. In 2006, he was the honor man of his food service class. He deployed to Iraq as a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Sqdn-372 in 2007. Upon returning, he served as the warehouse NCO-in-charge for MWSS-372. Gonzales re-enlisted, transferred to the infantry, and became a rifleman in 2010. He later volunteered to attend Scout Sniper School, and passed the mandatory test. “He loved being part of the Scout Sniper Plt. He loved the challenge and the dedication it takes to be a scout sniper,” said Bothwell, an asst. team leader. “I remember how excited he was when Sgt. Hirsch told him that he would be going to Scout Sniper School. He loved his job, and he loved the Marines around him.” Gonzales bonded with his fellow Marines by sharing stories from his personal life back home. “Not only was Gonzo an awesome Marine and teammate, he was a loving husband and a caring father. He was always writing letters home to his family that he loved so much, and was always talking about how much he loved his wife and kids,” said Bothwell. “It always brought a smile to his face whenever he talked about his family. The aspiring scout sniper bestowed a treasured gift to his friend, a medallion depicting Jesus Christ. Bothwell left for Afghanistan before Gonzales on an advance party leading to the exchange. “I don’t know if it’s having this coin with me that’s protected me, or just having Gonzo by my side that’s gotten me this far, but I'm extremely thankful for the gift and having served with him. I know that he's up there watching over me and the rest of the team. Thank you brother.”Marines pay their final respects to 3 fallen heroes following a memorial ceremony.
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DVIDS
Shindand Members Donate to Locals
KABUL - Shindand-based airmen brought cheer to locals recently, as they donated much-needed school supplies and toys to a local preschool and women's center. The donated supplies came courtesy of U.S. citizens who sent the supplies to the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. The donations included backpacks for more than 50 children, with each backpack including school supplies: notebooks, pencils and other items. More than 20 boxes and 2 large bags containing blankets, clothing items, shoes and toys were also delivered.
Members of TF Centre, made up of Italian army members, also donated 100 sewing machines, 50 rugs and chairs to a local women's center.Shindand officials explained that the women's center's focus is the development of women in Shindand, and the sewing machines hopefully will help them make clothing items for their families, or assist in making clothing items they may sell for profit to help support their families. "Although we didn't have direct interface with the children or the women benefiting from the donations, the director [Najiba] showed us a video that was taken with her camera of the children that attend the preschool," said Cmdr. Paul Fermo, dep. cmdr. of the 838th AEAG. "Najiba told the kids that she was going to pick up some gifts for them, and they were all very excited about what they were about to receive." The idea for the donation was hatched after members of the unit received a wish list from the school. With one of the items on the list being a backpack, members knew they had plenty of supplies on hand to help. Members of the 298th CSB also assisted the 838th with delivery, with school reps meeting the military members at Fire Base Thomas. "It gave me great pleasure to help the children of Shindand," said Capt. Colleen Hollis, 838th AEAG. "These kids are innocent, and have very little in the way of material things. I can only imagine the excitement and smiles on their faces, when the director pulled up with a van full of school supplies, clothes and toys just for them."
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
NorthFARYAB PROVINCE -- In Ghormach District, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor killed 2 insurgents, while conducting a search for a senior Taliban leader, yesterday. The leader is the Taliban-appointed deputy governing official for insurgent ops in Shirin Tagab District, and is responsible for roadside bomb and rocket attacks against ANSF. One suspected insurgent was also detained during the op. SouthZABUL PROVINCE -- An Afghan and coalition combined SecFor detained a Taliban leader and a suspected insurgent in Qalat District, yesterday. The leader was responsible for roadside bomb attacks against ANSF along Highway 1, in the Tarnak Wa Jaldak and Qalat Districts.KANDAHAR PROVINCE -- In Arghandab District, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained a suspected insurgent, during a security op targeting a Taliban leader, yesterday. The leader conducts intimidation ops against Afghan civilians, and coordinates attacks against ANSF. ----- A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained numerous individuals with suspected ties to the Taliban, during a security op in Panjwa’i District, yesterday. The target of this op was a Taliban leader who directs several sub-leaders and fighters in the area. HELMAND PROVINCE -- An Afghan and coalition combined SecFor detained several suspected insurgents during a security clearance in Nahr-e Saraj District, yesterday. The force conducted the clearance ops to disrupt a Taliban cell responsible for running a prison op in the area. EastNANGARHAR PROVINCE – A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor killed numerous insurgents and detained 2, during a security op in Khugyani District, yesterday. The force was in the area searching for a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin leader, when they observed several groups of heavily armed insurgents maneuvering in the immediate area. A firefight ensued when the insurgents, armed with RPGs, machine guns and AK-47s, attacked the SecFor. The exchange resulted in the deaths of the insurgent attackers.
LOGAR PROVINCE -- In Pul-e Alam District, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor killed 2 insurgents and detained several suspected insurgents, during a security op, yesterday. The force was conducting a search for a Taliban leader who coordinates and plans attacks against ANSF. During the search, several armed insurgents fired at the force, who returned fire, killing 2 insurgents. In addition, the force confiscated RPGs, AK-47 assault rifles, several other grenades, and chest racks. GHAZNI PROVINCE -- An Afghan and coalition combined SecFor detained several suspected insurgents, during a search for a Taliban leader in Ghazni city, yesterday. The leader manages fighters, facilitates roadside bomb ops, and coordinates attacks with other Taliban leaders and facilitators.FARAH PROVINCE -- In Pur Chaman district, a combined Afghan and coalition patrol detained several suspected insurgents, during an op targeting a Taliban IED facilitator, Aug. 17. The facilitator coordinates the movement of IEDs to insurgent groups, who carry out attacks against ANSF and CF throughout the Farah and Nimroz provs.
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Iraqi politician Yonadam Kanna, Christian member of the Iraqi Parliament, meets with Chap. (Lt. Col.) Charles Reynolds, a chaplain for the Army since 1989, to discuss the progress of the Universal Pen Pal Project.
BAGHDAD – In Iraq, religious minorities are not always viewed favorably. Sensitivity to the religious needs of the Iraqi people works as a key link in communication. The Universal Pen Pal Project uses faith as a universal language that builds common ground between cultures. "This spiritual connection between the 2 countries’ Christian communities changes everyday perspectives," said Kanna, also Council of Reps, Chairman of the Labor and Social Affairs Committee. “This project connects the two communities,” he said.
The Universal Pen Pal Project of the Fellowship of Baptist Educators is an org. sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Int'l Mission Board. “The pen pal project is a way for Iraqi Christians to communicate with U.S. Christians, as well as work on their English language skills,” said Reynolds.
"The group is recruiting students in the U.S. to be pen pals with same-aged students in other countries, especially nations where missionary activity is restricted," said Kellie Ziesemer, administrator of the Universal Pen Pal program. Christian students have the opportunity to be int'l. missionaries without leaving home. “We've been hoping to recruit students from other countries to participate in the program and expand globally, so we're thrilled to have the interest of the students in Iraq,” said Ziesemer.
"The pen pals communicate via e-mail, social networking and traditional postal service," said Reynolds. “It's one thing to hear and read in the news media about Iraqi Christians being persecuted,” said Reynolds. “It's something else when you know that person. It changes when they're part of your daily life.”
A faith community is starting to build and bridge the spiritual gap, as well as raise consciousness in the American public about the well-being of Christian Iraqis, their daily lives, and their culture.Swift patrol boat 306 enters the port, Aug. 7. The Iraqi navy accepted control of Swift boats 304 and 306, Aug. 13.
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi navy accepted Swift-class Patrol boats from the U.S. Navy, during a handover ceremony at Umm Qasr. The ceremony was the culmination of months of effort for both the U.S. and Iraqi Navies.
"I'm extremely happy for the Iraqi navy,” said Navy Rear Adm. Kelvin Dixon, dir. of Iraq Training and Advising Mission-Navy and Marines. “The delivery of the U.S. built Swift Patrol Boats 304 and 306 increases the Iraqi navy's capability to effectively patrol and defend their territorial waters and critical oil infrastructure.”
"The Iraqis have really done an outstanding job with the limited assets they had,” said Cmdr. Quintin “QB” Bell, comm. officer of the ITAM-N/M at Umm Qasr. “The addition of these 2 very-capable patrol boats will greatly enhance their ability to carry out their assigned missions."Iraqi navy cmdr, Rear Adm. Ali, said that the delivery was an important day for the Iraqi navy, and he thanked everyone for making the day happen, according to Bell.The patrol boats provide capability for a variety of missions, including maritime surveillance and recon, as well as vessel boarding, and search and seizure. The new vessels raise the Iraqi navy’s patrol boat force to 5 of 12 ordered. The remaining Swift boats are expected to arrive in Iraq before 2013. The Iraqi navy is responsible for protecting off-shore oil infrastructure, territorial waters, Umm Qasr, and checkpoints in the surrounding area. Currently, the Iraqi fleet boasts 65 vessels, and more than 3,700 sailors and Marines, conducting more than 50 weekly patrols.-30-