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Brentwood Press - BrentwoodPress_08.15.08 - Index

AUGUST 15, 2008 COMMUNITY THEPRESS.NET | 13A
Marines from page 12A
is available to offset college costs, and many
Marines have earned degrees online while
stationed overseas. More than one told the
group that they had chosen to enter the service
rather than attend college, only to fi nd
that constant encouragement to get an education
– and the chance to advance in rank
by doing so – had changed their minds about
school. Also, changes to the GI Bill coming
in 2009 will provide $80,000 in post-service
educational benefi ts that will be assignable to
a spouse or child.
“We don’t expect them to be with us
for 20 years,” Salinas said of the education
and ethics training provided. “We want
them to return to civilian life and be good
citizens.”
The educators marched through the
week as best they could (said one, mimicking
the tone of his drill instructor, “Forward,
mosey!”), taking in combat aircraft, amphibious
assault craft and rifl e ranges. They were
given a chance to fi re M-16 rifl es and 9mm
pistols on a computerized shooting range,
Challengers from page 1A
to bring in jobs other than retail,” he said. “We
don’t want to fi nd ourselves becoming a bedroom
community that depends on jobs in another
city. We already get to live here and play
here – we just need the work part now.”
More local jobs will also improve public
safety, he said, because parents will have more
time at home with their children. “Parents are
working 12 hours now, eight on the job and
two hours driving to and from work.”
and to gear up and run the grueling bayonet
assault course.
Divided into squads, they attempted to
solve fi eld problems such as ammo supply
and wounded evacuation missions, learning
through it all that what is seen in movies
and news video is far more diffi cult than it
appears. They visited the barracks, learned
about the famed Marine Bands, and twice
ate lunch with recruits at various stages of the
transformation.
For many, the highlights were the same
as for the recruits: a pair of ceremonies that
marked signifi cant milestones. One involved
the pageantry of boot camp graduation, but
the other, even more moving, came earlier,
when the recruits received the eagle, globe and
anchor emblem for their uniform.
That ceremony came at the end of the
intense exercise known as “the crucible,” a 54hour
marathon of fully equipped hikes totaling
60 miles, weapon fi ring, maneuvering and
problem-solving, all accomplished on four
hours of sleep and three 2,500-calorie meals.
The recruits, now in their 11th week, marched
Short is also concerned about progress
on the new downtown civic center.
“It appears to be going slower,” he said.
“We need to continue with it; if we delay it,
it could be another fi ve years.” Not completing
the project, he added, will send potential
downtown businesses the message that the
city “is not serious about the downtown,” and
the result could be more attrition of the merchants
located there.
Last month, all three incumbents an-
14th Annual “Fun Scramble” Golf Tournament
Friday, September 19, 2008
Shadow Lakes Golf Club
401 West Country Club Drive, Brentwood
Early Bird Special!
Only $135.00 plus a chance to win a
Free Gold Membership Initiation Fee
to Shadow Lakes or Deer Ridge Golf Club
(Please note winner of this prize will only be required to pay the monthly dues fee.)
(Early Bird Payment must in the Chamber office by August 22, 2008 to be eligible
for this drawing. After August 22, 2008 fee will be $155.00.)
This will include green fees, golf cart, range balls, tee prizes, a shirt and hat. Silent
Auction along with Raffle Prizes. Tee prizes are: closest to hole, longest drive and putting
contest for men and women. Lunch & Drinks provided by Golf Course along with a
fabulous dinner. Additional dinners can be purchased for $30.00 each. No Host Bar.
We are looking for Sponsors for this event.
We have several levels of Sponsorship:
Platinum Sponsor $1500.00
Foursome, 8 dinner tickets, Banner Recognition, Logo Media listing, One Tee Sign, Set up Company tent
at hole of choice, Reserved table at dinner, Display Table in reception area.
Gold Sponsor $1000.00
Foursome, 4 dinner tickets, Banner Recognition, One Tee Sign, Logo Media, Set up Tent to hand out
information.
Golf Cart Sponsor $400.00
Set up Tent at hole, One Tee Sign and Media Listing.
Hole Sponsor $150.00.
One Tee Sign and Media Listing.
If you would like a reservation form sent to you regarding signing up for the tournament
or would like to sponsor the event, please Contact Jilda Fairhurst at the
Brentwood Chamber Office (925) 634-3344
We would love to have you be a part of this fun filled day.
So don’t delay; sign up today!
directly from the fi eld to the ceremony, and, exhausted,
fi lthy and famished, they received the
congratulations of their drill instructors and
were addressed for the fi rst time as “Marines.”
To a person, the educators came away
highly impressed at what they’d seen.
“I have a much stronger feelings of respect
for what the military does for us,” said
Black. “I’m impressed by the dedication and
the true passion they showed about what they
do here.”
As for the recruits, they were proud of
what they were doing.
“I’ve done things I never thought I’d
do, like climb 60-foot towers,” said 19-yearold
Andrew Meyers, who passed up a soccer
scholarship to Washington State University
to enlist. He said he joined not despite the
probability that he will soon face combat, but
partly because of it. “I want to make a difference,
and the Marines give you a real sense of
pride that you are. This was defi nitely the right
thing to do.”
To comment on this story, visit www.
thepress.net.
nounced that they would seek re-election to
continue work begun in their current terms.
All have since qualifi ed for the ballot, said
City Clerk Margaret Wimberly, and with
the fi ling period closing last Friday, the fi eld
will consist of less than half the 2006 total,
when three candidates ran for mayor and
10 sought council seats. The 2008 election
is Nov. 4.
To comment on this story, visit www.
thepress.net.
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