This is a published story about the son of one
of my Drill Instructors. -- Capt Grose
ABOARD THE USS BATAAN
(March 7, 2002) -- "My dad was a grunt and a San
Diego drill instructor," said Lance Corporal Sergio
D. Garcia referring to the man many called 'master sergeant.'
"So, I had no choice but to have discipline in my
body."
Garcia, an administration clerk, is presently
deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special
Operations Capable), which has recently concluded combat
operations alongside multi-national coalition forces against
the terrorist regime in Afghanistan.
Garcia is doing what every young Marine dreams
of: facing the nation's foes alongside his fellow Marines.
For him, the expectations of a Marine came naturally.
Witnessing first hand his recently retired father's commitment
to country and Corps gave him early insight to the lifestyle
of a U.S. Marine.
"He was always gone. My mother, sister and
I spent a lot of lonely months without him," he said.
"He'd either be deployed on a MEU or he'd just volunteered
for some other operation. That's just the type of 'gung-ho'
Marine he was."
"I always said that I wouldn't want to leave
my family like that," said the 20-year-old of Honduran
and Panamanian decent who plans to wed his girlfriend
of five years this summer. "But now that I'm also
a Marine, I realize the sacrifices he made for us.
Garcia admitted that when he was younger, he
did not even consider military service as a career option. |
|
ABOARD THE USS BATAAN (March
7, 2002) -- Lance Cpl. Sergio D. Garcia salutes his
father, a retired Marine master sergeant. Garcia, an
administration clerk assigned to the 26th MEU (SOC)
says that he now understands his father's devotion to
the Corps and greatly appreciates the sacrifices that
the former infantryman made for his family. The Camp
Lejeune, N.C., based 26th MEU (SOC) recently concluded
combat operations in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring
Freedom. Photo by: Sgt. Andrew D. Pomykal
|
"Growing up in my family was just like being in
the Marines. I wanted nothing to do with the military back then.
When I was younger, my Dad made me go to a Young Marines boot
camp," he said referring to the formative program for juveniles
that emphasizes military-style ethos and teamwork. "He
said that it would instill discipline in me. I hated it, but
now I understand that it was good for me. He knew I was prone
to get into trouble."
Garcia admires his father so much that he carries a
picture of the former Marine wearing the familiar 'Smoky Bear'
drill instructor's hat.
"I take it wherever I go as motivation to always
do my best...to try to fill his boots," he said.
During his father's retirement ceremony, the elder
Garcia presented his son with a highly polished, non-commissioned
officer's sword that was inscribed:
MSgt Garcia-Ramirez
S. USMC Legacy
Dec. 19, 1974
to Sept. 30, 2001
And underneath:
Lance Corporal Garcia
S.D.
July 14, 2000-
"He gave it to me as a symbol of the beginning
of our families' legacy in the Marine Corps," he said.
Before the 26th MEU (SOC) left Camp Lejeune, Garcia
recalled that he feared becoming a victim of homesickness or
depression.
"Being deployed isn't that bad. What we are doing
here is important," he said referring to the war against
terrorism. "I don't wish for war, but I knew when I enlisted
that someday I might be called to fight."
Since his administrative duties have kept him aboard
ship, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, muscular Marine spends
his free time pumping iron in the gym or exercising his talents
as a free-hand artist.
"At one time, I was accepted to a graphic design
school in Tampa, Florida, but I didn't have the money for tuition
then," he said. "I still plan to complete more formal
training in the arts, but for now, I'm satisfied with my mission.
The Corporals that I work with are good leaders and they teach
me a lot of good information about the Corps and about life."
This has been a great experience for me and I suggest
that all young Marines seek to go on a MEU deployment,"
he said. "My family has been supportive and the people
I attend church with [in Jacksonville, N.C.] keep me in their
prayers. Once in a while I get to call home to hear the voices
of my family and other loved ones. That makes everything all
right. Of course my girlfriend says that she misses me, but
she tells me that she is proud that I am a Marine."
|
