Semper Fi

Kyleigh Anderson

Going into the Marines is said to be one of the hardest military branches to enter, but Kyleigh Anderson’s dad served honorably for 11 years. Robert Anderson was influenced to go into the military because of his pawpaw who served in the Army and his grandfather who severed in the Air Force.

“I wanted to serve as a United States Marine because of the uniform and the dignity that comes along with having worn THE uniform,” Robert said. “Everything on a Marine’s uniform represents some type of war or tradition.”

Anderson made this decision his freshman year in high school.

“I was feeling scared because I was afraid he was going to have to go to war. I didn’t want him hurt or worse,” Brandi Anderson said.

He left immediately after graduating and began boot camp. On his ten day leave from boot camp he married his wife Brandi. Robert and Brandi left together for California where Robert would be stationed.

“When I landed in California it was beautiful, but shortly after meeting the drill instructors my world was turned upside down and I wondered what I had done to myself,” Robert said.

No sleep for 72 hours and constant yelling, along with not knowing a soul around him, Anderson was in shock.

“It was difficult for the both of us because we had no communication of any kind other than through letters,” Brandi said.

During Anderson’s 11 years of service he experienced many things, some of which cannot be discussed.

“An event I won’t ever forget is the night I was called into my first duty station to type up a pretrial confinement paper as the First Supply Battalion legal chief for a Marine who killed his Commanding Officer and shot his Sergeants Major because they wouldn’t let his friend out of the brig (military jail),” Robert said.

Robert knew there were much more qualified Marines on the base to type the confinement papers than he.

“I never thought I would add up to much in life until I had joined the Marines and once I got stated there was no stopping me,” Robert said.

After three meritorious promotions, reaching the rank of Sergeant in a little over four years, and Staff Sergeant in less than seven years, with two Navy achievement Medals and a Meritorious Joint Services Medal. Robert’s career was a success.

“The highlight of my career was working at the Dallas MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) for five years,” Robert said.

After 11 years of Honorable Service, Robert was medically retired due to a shoulder injury that required five right shoulder surgeries.

“The Marine Corps gave me the stepping stone and push to be the best at everything I possibly can,” Robert said.

Family tradition

Destiny Quezada

Freshman Samantha Ecklel’s brother, Alumni Chase Eckles, joined the military this past September. Chase’s great-grandfather, grandfather, Uncle Johnny and Cousin Kelly are just a few he looks up to and followed, carrying out the family tradition of joining the military.

Samantha and her family know all too well the risks that come with joining the military, but Chase does not give the intimidating details in his letters.

“It’s scary to think about,” Samantha said.

Chase is mostly cut off from all contact in boot camp, except for being able to send the occasional letter. In his letters are his stories of his daily activities, routine and the friends he’s made in his platoon. He also tells them about the new gun he learned to use.

Finishing boot camp, starting college and becoming an Army Ranger is what Chase has his goal set on. The future looks bright for Chase when he graduates Dec. 12, almost like an early Christmas present for his family.

“I would support my brother no matter what,” Samantha said.

Marching into the future

Brittany Creel

High school seniors are considering post high school plans at this time. Entering the military is one of the decisions high school students are making at the moment.

Senior Kade Gonzalez is one of these students.

“I have already enlisted in the Army and will be going in July of 2014,” Gonzalez said.

There are various amounts of reasons behind his decision for enlisting in the first place such as cost.

“I plan to go so it will help pay for college and prepare for a future job,” Gonzalez said.

This choice means a lot to him and he believes will have a great impact on his life for the future.

“It gives me an opportunity to serve my country which means something to me,” Gonzalez said.

Runs in the family

Senior considers entering military; inspired by brother, boyfriend

Ash Thomas

Joining the military affects everything. It changes a life and touches the lives of others’ as well, such as family members and close friends. For senior Clarizel Bernarte, she was faced with two people in her life leaving for the military.

“I have two very special men in my life that are very important to me who are in the military,” Claire said. “My brother, and my boyfriend.”

Her brother and East graduate, JC Bernarte decided to join the military to be a pilot for the Air Force. He has been stationed at Aviano, Italy for a year.

“He is an F-16 Crew Chief,” Claire said. “He prepares the planes to fly and recovers planes to fly.”

When JC told his family about going into the Air Force, Claire said she was shocked and her mother cried.

“Saying goodbye to my brother the first time when he was going to basic training was sad, because I had no one to be at my side at school,” Claire said. “The second goodbye was a little easier because we can talk and Facetime.”

Claire frequently Facetimes her brother but will not see him for another year or so.

“All I’ve heard from him are basic training stories, such as the gas mask week and beast week, Claire said. “He said that beast week was the worst of all the training.”

Claire also had to say goodbye to her boyfriend, Zachery Zarnoth, who graduated last year.

“He decided to join the military and infantry for the Marines,” Claire said. “He’s always wanted to be a Marine ever since he was little.”

Zarnoth recently finished boot camp, last month, and is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, for infantry training.

“When my boyfriend told me, I saw it coming,” Claire said. “I was happy for him and [got a] bittersweet feeling.”

For Claire, saying goodbye to her boyfriend was a bit tougher because she would not be able to contact him like she could her brother.

“Saying goodbye to my boyfriend the first time when he was going into boot camp was hard and upsetting, because I was so used to having him around, calling me and going on dates,” Claire said. “But the second goodbye was probably the toughest because I didn’t know when I’d hear from and see him next.”

From Zarnoth, Claire has heard all about his training and tests just like she did from her brother.

“I don’t often see him,” Claire said, “but there is a possibility that he may be home for 10 days for Christmas.”

It’s not surprising that with all of the military life around her, Claire would be interested in joining herself.

“I actually had thought about joining in the Air Force because my brother is my inspiration and I want to follow his footsteps,” Claire said. “I would like to be a pharmacist in the Air Force.”

For Claire and everyone around her who has been affected by a relative or loved one leaving for the military, Veteran’s Day is very important to her.

“Veteran’s Day to me is a day to let all of the veterans know what they’ve done for us. I appreciate all the sacrifices they’ve made for me and our country,” Claire said. “I thank them for missing out on important days in their life, so that I can take those days for granted.”

Match made in Germany

Taylor Veracruz

Junior Taylor Veracruz’s grandfather enlisted to become a member of the Army when he was only 17 years old. It had been a dream of Douglas Alford’s since he was a kid.

Alford had to wait a total of eight months before he could actually leave for basic training. When he started talking to his family about joining the Army they often told him “it is not right for you” and “I don’t want you to go” but he followed his dreams anyways.

While Alford was in the Army he lost some good friends from tragic events. On the upper hand he got to travel to some great places like Germany, where he met who would become his future wife.

“We spent the first few months sitting around a translation book trying our best to communicate, and somehow it worked,” Gabriele Alford said.

Alford’s dad, Don Alford was able to talk him into coming home after being in the Army for seven years.

“My biggest regret was not staying the whole 20 years and making a career out of it,” Alford said.

When Alford returned home he brought Gabriele home with him to Dallas where they were able to start their life together. They have now been happily married since 1985.

Veteran’s Day

Samantha Ochoa

“It hit me when I was a senior. Everyone had a plan after high school and then there was me–clueless,” Celaya said.

58-year-old Manuel Celaya, grandfather of junior Samantha Ochoa, decided to fight for his country in the Vietnam War.

Celaya wanted to achieve something huge after completing high school.

“My family didn’t have money for me to go to college, so I knew I had to do something. Then it hit me–I should join the military,” Celaya said.

Celaya wanted to join the military to experience fighting for his country. His friends were very supportive, unlike his parents.

“My parents were against my decision. They said it was too dangerous. But I eventually convinced them that danger can happen anywhere and that what I was doing was a good thing,” Celaya said.

Throughout his career in the military, Celaya experienced many memorable things.

“I became more aware of life and respected people a lot more. I learned what the U.S. actually went through in previous wars. My time there was very challenging,” Celaya said.

Not only did he learn more about life, but he also acquired new skills.

“I learned a lot about weapons, how to take orders and actually be on time,” Celaya said.

With all the new things he experienced, some negative came out of his time in the military.

“I saw many deaths. It was very tragic seeing people I knew, dead, right in front of me. I became very homesick. I went three years without my family and it was very difficult,” Celaya said.

Aside from the unfortunate incidents that took place, overall, joining the military is something Celaya will never forget.

“My favorite part was when we flew overseas across other countries. It was amazing to see how they lived and talked,” Celaya said.

Eventually, after serving three years, Celaya decided to leave the military.

“I could’ve made a 20 year career doing this, but I knew it wasn’t the best thing for my life. Plus I was very homesick,” Celaya said.

Celaya recommends children in today’s generation to experience what he did.

“I wouldn’t have changed a thing about what I experienced, which is why I feel it’ll be great for the young generation by keeping them out of trouble and teaching them valuable things,” Celaya said.

With Veteran’s Day coming up, Celaya reminisces about his experiences.

“Every year on Veteran’s Day I raise my flag high and remember everyone I saw die right in front of me,” Celaya said.

Wonderful William

William Martin’s time in the military

Elizabeth Abrams

William Martin has been a veteran for many years, and every Nov. 11, he goes and celebrates with his fellow Veterans and remembers those who have fallen.

“I am going to attended a veteran’s appreciation day at Wylie football field, then after that I am going to my daughter Teresa Abrams’ School and take my uniform and tell her class about my time served,” Martin said

William Martin was in the military for six years, and is very proud of his career.

“I did not join the military I was actually drafted when I was 22 into the cold war when Russia was not a friend. I had just gotten married and was working with my wife,” Martin said.

Even though he loved his time in the military, he would have rather gotten a job and spent time with his family. He has two daughters, Sandra Davis and Teresa Abrams, Senior Elizabeth Abrams’ mom.

“If I was not drafted I would have gotten a job, and probably not gone into the military.”

He was alive during important historical events, and got to experience them first hand.

“’While I was in the military the Berlin wall was built, and the Cuban crisis came up, and that was about it.”

Not many people get to say they were in the military while a major icon was, but Martin does.

“Elvis Presley and I were in the Army at the same time, and I saw him one time. We drove to where Elvis Presley lived in the northern part of Germany because we were both in Germany.”

His favorite time in the military was his relaxation time, and all the places he got to see.

“During the time that we were in Germany we took a vacation and saw the Eiffel Tower.”

Monday, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day.

“I think Veteran’s Day is good. I think Veterans ought to be recognized more than once or twice a year.”

Martin is a grandfather to four children, and a great-grandfather to three children. He is very proud of his time in the military and is proud that he was able to serve his family and country.

“My military career was something that I owed my country because my country was good to me and I wanted to pay it back for living in the USA,” Martin said.

Looking into the future

Alyssa Garrett

Going into the Navy might sound scary, but Senior Kaylee Muir is up for the challenge.

“I plan on going into the Navy because I want to serve and protect my country and the people in it,” Muir said.

Muir is in ROTC and is a very active part of the spirit team. She plans on being in the military for 20 years and is looking forward to it.

“It means honor, pride and respect to me. I love the water and I get to explore the world, so why not join the Navy?” Muir said.

Muir is set to go to boot camp two days after graduation.

“I think that I’ll get training, education, and experience and a life filled with vacations,” Muir said.

Plans for the future

JoJo Elizondo

Senior high school students have big plans for the future for example going to college, pursuing a career, or getting their own place, but senior Kedericka Givens has other plans in mind. She would like to serve in the Army after finishing her senior year.

After Given’s brothers served in the Army, she decided that she would follow in their footsteps. She wants to join the Army by studying and staying focused on her plan ahead to be successful in making it there.

The Army would also allow her to play rugby, which is usually a mens sport but they allow women to participate in it.

“I don’t know how long I want to be in the Army but I would at least serve for four years,” Givens  said, “Serving in the Army would be a great opportunity for me to carry on the family tradition and serve others.”

After the Army, Givens plans on going to college and getting her nursing degree so she can later work at a children’s hospital and pursue her dream career. Givens has always wanted to be a nurse because she could help others like serving people in the Army.