For the week of April 9 - 15, 2003

8 Marines from valley
on front lines

Ten from Class of 2001 answered call before September 11

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By MICHAEL AMES
Express Staff Writer

"First to Fight."

This long-standing motto of the U.S. Marine Corps has proved true yet again, especially for eight men from the Wood River Valley who are with the Coalition forces on active combat duty in the Persian Gulf. The United States’ second war against Iraq began March 19.

Alfredo Ojeda

The local troops had answered the call to duty in the spring of 2001, when 10 graduating seniors from Wood River High School enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps. After their graduation, all 10 went to Camp Pendleton in San Diego for 13 weeks of boot camp. Since then, these fresh Marines have been on call, their lives changing with the speed of world events.

Aged 19 to 20, Nicholas Stavros, Javier Terrazas, Lee Dumke, Martin Moya, Carlos Simental, Alfredo Ojeda, Josh Alstrom, Zac Broadie, Jake Pritchard and Jason Willingham are all currently serving as Marines.

Martin Moya

As the buildup for the current war in Iraq grew, many Marines, such as Stavros, Terrazas, Broadie and Willingham were shipped to the Persian Gulf. Alstrom, who was on duty in Afghanistan, was taken from one theater of war to the next.

It has been a trying time for the families of these young men, since most of the Marines have been out of contact with home for many weeks now. As the war in Iraq neared, security was tightened, troops were put on high alert and the time to write or call grew precious.

Carlos Simental

During their junior year, Alstrom and his friend Lee Dumke were the first Wood River students to enlist. Alstrom, an excellent student who turned down four full scholarships to various colleges and universities in favor of the Marines, has been on active duty for the two years following his graduation. After helping rout the Afghani countryside of drug-smugglers, Alstrom was given only the briefest of respites before being called up yet again, this time for the war in Iraq.

"He’s so self-driven--I never had to push that kid at all--he did it all himself," says Alstrom’s mother Becky.

Josh Alstrom

A football player and wrestler in high school, Alstrom has continuously risen to the top, and his career in the military has been no exception. Currently a corporal, Alstrom has been turning down the military’s efforts to push him into Officers Candidate School. Alstrom is considering advancing in Army Reconnaissance. Being married before being called overseas, Alstrom would normally be on duty for six months at a time, but in these tumultuous times, his leave was revoked; he was transferred immediately to Iraq.

Alstrom was last called home on April 4, when his unit was preparing to enter Baghdad. Prior to entering Iraq he was awaiting dispatch on a ship in the Persian Gulf.

Lee Dumke

Dumke was assigned to the Presidential Security Guard--Yankee White Program. As a presidential protector, Dumke is always moving, helping the Secret Service serve and protect a travelling president.

Though initially disappointed that he would not be fighting with and protecting his friends overseas, Dumke has come to realize, as his sister Angela explained, "that protecting the president is pretty important too."

For security reasons, both Dumke and the family are on CIA orders not to discuss his location.

Zac Broadie

Lance Cpl. Zac Broadie last called home from Kuwait in mid-March. Broadie was shipped to the Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S Boxer in late January of this year and arrived in Kuwait five weeks later.

Broadie waited out the sandstorms and tedium of life on hold in Kuwait, writing home on occasion. After boot camp, Broadie was trained in LVS (Logistic Vehicle Systems) in Missouri and is currently "endorsed" (licensed) to drive Humvees, and 2-ton and 7-ton transport vehicles. His precise location is not currently known.

Nicholas Stavros

Lance Cpl. Nicholas Stavros is currently fighting in Iraq with the 2^nd Battallion, 8^th Marines. After arriving in Kuwait in February, Stavros was among the first Coalition ground troops to enter Iraq.

Trained as a machine gunner, Stavros joined the Marines prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the East Coast, and though his family is concerned for his safety, his mother Linda realizes that "after September 11, there is really no turning back."

Javier Terrazas

Javier Terrazas last contacted his family in a letter dated March 15. At the time, he was stationed in Kuwait, about 20 kilometers from the Iraqi border. The letter said that Terrazas and his company was "getting ready to enter Iraq at any moment."

Terazzas is trained as a military mechanic and often repairs large land transport vehicles. His sister, Yesinia, explained the difficulty for the family: "We are so proud of him--being a Marine was always something he wanted to do--and once he gets his mind set on something, he does it. But at the same time we are worried."

Jake Pritchard

PFC Jake Pritchard is currently stationed in Hawaii as a cook. He has been engaged in wetland training, namely for the military’s contingency plan for a possible conflict with North Korea.

PFC Martin Moya is currently deployed somewhere in the Persian Gulf region. He last contacted his family on March 16.

Alfredo Ojeda is in the Gulf and last contacted his family in a letter dated March 10. His sister Luisana recalls that in the letter Alfredo explained that he "was OK, and was moving to a encampment closer to the Iraqi border."

Jason Willingham

Lance Cpl. Jason Willingham also is currently on the ground in Iraq. His family has been receiving occasional letters from him and last spoke with their son on March 15. Willingham is with the 3^rd Marines, which recently joined the 1^st Marines on the push into Baghdad.

His parents have been receiving updates of his combat activity, and now know that he was involved with some of the initial battle for Basra, Iraq’s second largest city.

Jason is trained in motor transport and drives Humvees and 7-ton transport trucks. His family says that Willingham was excited to leave for Kuwait on March 1. After a 72-hour transport flight, Willingham grew accustomed to military life in Kuwait.

"He was given all these cigarette rations, but he’s not a smoker," his father Paul recalled from the last time they spoke. "So he sold off these cigarette rations to some British troops, bought a cell phone with the money and gave us a call."

Willingham’s father, who wasn’t all in favor of the war before it began, added that now that the war has begun, he’s been "glad to see all the support for the troops. It’s something we all need to do, regardless of your politics, at this point it’s time to support our people."

For people who would like to support our troops overseas more directly, the United Service Operations has established "Operation USO Care Package," which delivers needed items and personal messages to service members deployed overseas.

There are many giving options, including pre-paid calling cards from AT&T so service men and women can call home. For information on how you can donate, call (1-866-USO-GIVE). Both individuals and corporations can give. To give directly, send checks ($25 for one care package) to:

USO – Operation Care Package
C/O Pentagon Federal Credit Union
PO Box 19221
Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

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