Marine siblings from Lufkin, TX, LCPL Josh on left, SGT Roxan on right.

"Prior to joining the Marines, both had graduated from Lufkin High School, after which Josh attended Louisiana Tech In Ruston, La. and Roxan attended University of Houston, in Houston, Tx.

" I am extremely Proud to be a Marine Mom."

B. Watson. writes from (Brocton, IL):"A 1999 graduate of Shiloh High School, my 21 year old son joined the Marines in May of 2000. It was his own decision to join and he knows as his mother, I'll back him 100 percent. He went to basic training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. and was permanently stationed at the Marine Air Base in Beaufort,SC. He was deployed to the Arabian Sea on the USS Theodore Roosevelt on Sept. 19, 2001. While aboard an aircraft carrier in Afghanistan his squadron set many records and was named the squadron of the year last year. He was married in January 2003, and deployed to the Middle East on February 12. When we heard from him April 8, 2003, he said he is doing OK and that they have loaded 1 million pounds of ordnance already.

"I am scared and worried as a mother, but I am very proud of him."

Marine Cpl. C. Watson loads bombs and other ordnance onto F-18 fighter jets.

Judi D. writes from(Dubuque, Iowa):
"I would like you to know about a person who inspires me and makes us all proud to be American. She is my 12 year old daughter, Shelby.
She works every day, at 5:30 a.m. running 2 paper routes to be able to afford the opportunity to play club volleyball. She earns honor roll status, is an honor citizen at school, as well, volunteers once a week at the local humane society, and plays sports at the junior high level. After all these things, she also chooses to perform one large activity of charity within her community.
It started with the 9/11 victims, in which she solicited donations of over 1400.00 and then donated her entire paycheck (114.00, which is alot of money for a 12 year old).She donated all proceeds to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund. Last year, she worked on behalf of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and collected 65 toys for kids at Christmas.
Then this year, at Valentine's Day, after hearing a local radio station soliciting donations for collections for cards for the troops overseas, decided to solicit her own school of 700 students to be able to start a collection of goods and letters to send to our troops overseas. After 3 weeks of prodding and begging, she finally gained access through her school to start the campaign. Gaining this was simply not enough for her, and she decided to make it into a community effort. She has distributed over 10 brightly colored boxes to businesses around the city, and will send a large shipment of supplies for our troops overseas with the culmination of the effort on April 21st.
I am extremely proud of my daughter that she has learned the value of helping others, and showing people how grateful you are, not only by word, but by deeds,as well. She is a truly wonderful child, and I want the world to know how much of a difference one person can make, let alone a child."
WOW! Shelby makes US proud, too!

"My husband, Ken joined the Navy in August 1990, after graduation from Ogemaw Heights H.S,Lupton, MI. He has been hard charging ever since. Not only has he managed to earn several Navy Achievement Medals for his hard work, but his dedication has earned him the title of "Sailor of the Year" at two of his commands. Ken was called for duty to the Gulf to help ensure the safety of America's ships when they pulled into foreign ports shortly after the USS Cole was bombed. He's currently serving aboard the USS (... ) as a Leading Petty Officer in the engineering department. He has shown genuine concern for the well-being of his shipmates and is always encouraging the younger guys to re-enlist and make the Navy a CAREER.

"Ken has represented the Navy well in our community of Spring Valley, CA, also. He is a member of the PTA and a volunteer for the America's Youth Karate program. He is a loving husband and an outstanding father...teaching our little girls about respecting the flag, loving our country, and the importance of being a good citizen.

He is, and will always be, my American Hero."

-- Christine D, Grant Community H.S. Class of 1990, Antioch, IL

Congratulations and thanks to Leann, who graduated 2001 from Watertown (NY) High School, and who leaves for Air Force Basic Training {BMT} on Aug 13. Leeann writes: "I come from an extremely military family. My grandfather Charles H. Clark served in the Navy, my grandfather Gearge B. Bradfield was in the Air Force, my uncle David Clark was in the Army, my father is currently in the army and my brother in law David G. is serving in the Air Force."
You go girl!