OFF HE WIRE
North County Times
Awards fill a table at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Enlisted Recognition Dinner held at the El Camino Country Club last Friday. (Tom Pfingsten for the North County Times)
Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/military-enlisted-recognition-event-honors-marines-sailors-of-the-year/article_64a539b1-8de6-5708-b2e9-ae791eef0c26.html#ixzz1o4iZ6Ya1
Awards fill a table at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Enlisted Recognition Dinner held at the El Camino Country Club last Friday. (Tom Pfingsten for the North County Times)By mid-March, 20-year-old Cpl. Zachary Stangle will be back in Afghanistan, metal detector in hand, walking ahead of foot patrols and hoping to spot roadside bombs before they can do any damage.
It will be the young Marine's second time through those remote battlefields in search of Taliban explosives, and it will be just as punishing as his first trip with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines ---- also known as the "Dark Horse" battalion ---- that suffered heavy casualties before returning to Camp Pendleton last March.
Inside the dining room at the El Camino Country Club, Stangle sat straight in his dress uniform near the back of the room as one of roughly two dozen honorees at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Enlisted Recognition Dinner last weekend.
His name was near the end of the list, under "NCO of the Quarter," and when the roll call was given after dinner, he was among the young men and women who walked proudly across the room for an engraved plaque and a handshake.
"Your belief in us ... serves as a constant reminder, as we deploy throughout the world, that many Americans not only support us, but are counting on us," the keynote speaker, Sgt. Maj. Michael Kufchak, said during his address. "We have collectively learned what's really important ---- community, and reciprocated respect."
Kufchak spoke of the duty and sacrifice of "the average Marine," as well as the care packages that arrive on the front lines.
"When I was forward in Afghanistan, many of these boxes actually came from the city of Oceanside," he recalled. "It's that small, hand-written note inside, saying, ‘We have you in our thoughts, and in our prayers.'
"Simply stated, Oceanside, thank you for your enduring support."
Chip Dykes, a retired Marine of 20 years, was emceeing the event as chairman of the chamber's military affairs committee. He read the names and introduced the speakers, and on Tuesday he spoke about how important a community's recognition can be to an enlisted Marine.
"It's imperative for us who are outside the gates to let them know that they are much appreciated," said Dykes. "When you do a good job in the Marine Corps, they let you know every now and then. (But) I think it's critical to their development ---- not just as Marines, but as good citizens ---- to say, once again, the people do appreciate you."
Chamber president David Nydegger said the honorees are all chosen by the various commands located around Camp Pendleton in a contest that includes physical and intellectual evaluations.
Cpl. Stanger, for example, said he went up against the other non-commissioned officers in his unit in a four-month process that included a book report. (His choice? "All Quiet on the Western Front.")
Originally from Indiana, Stanger said he was a taekwondo instructor in high school: "I was actually kind of the underdog in school, you know? Didn't have many friends."
But he was off to boot camp after his 18th birthday, and now seems to love his job despite the inherent dangers: "Anything to do with explosives, that's what I do," he said with a grin.
Among the honorees last Friday was "Spouse of the Year" Stephanie Griswold, who accepted a certificate of recognition from Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, as well as several special gifts from event sponsor USA Discounters.
Nydegger said the family readiness officers at Camp Pendleton each nominate a spouse for the award, and Griswold was chosen from a list of 20 nominees.
Before departing, the honorees were asked to line up to shake hands with the business leaders who attended the dinner.
Dykes said he has been involved with the annual event for six years, and has always received enthusiastic feedback: "As humble as they are, they enjoy the opportunity to get dressed in their uniform, stand proud, and say, 'This is what a Marine looks like.'"
It will be the young Marine's second time through those remote battlefields in search of Taliban explosives, and it will be just as punishing as his first trip with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines ---- also known as the "Dark Horse" battalion ---- that suffered heavy casualties before returning to Camp Pendleton last March.
Inside the dining room at the El Camino Country Club, Stangle sat straight in his dress uniform near the back of the room as one of roughly two dozen honorees at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Enlisted Recognition Dinner last weekend.
His name was near the end of the list, under "NCO of the Quarter," and when the roll call was given after dinner, he was among the young men and women who walked proudly across the room for an engraved plaque and a handshake.
"Your belief in us ... serves as a constant reminder, as we deploy throughout the world, that many Americans not only support us, but are counting on us," the keynote speaker, Sgt. Maj. Michael Kufchak, said during his address. "We have collectively learned what's really important ---- community, and reciprocated respect."
Kufchak spoke of the duty and sacrifice of "the average Marine," as well as the care packages that arrive on the front lines.
"When I was forward in Afghanistan, many of these boxes actually came from the city of Oceanside," he recalled. "It's that small, hand-written note inside, saying, ‘We have you in our thoughts, and in our prayers.'
"Simply stated, Oceanside, thank you for your enduring support."
Chip Dykes, a retired Marine of 20 years, was emceeing the event as chairman of the chamber's military affairs committee. He read the names and introduced the speakers, and on Tuesday he spoke about how important a community's recognition can be to an enlisted Marine.
"It's imperative for us who are outside the gates to let them know that they are much appreciated," said Dykes. "When you do a good job in the Marine Corps, they let you know every now and then. (But) I think it's critical to their development ---- not just as Marines, but as good citizens ---- to say, once again, the people do appreciate you."
Chamber president David Nydegger said the honorees are all chosen by the various commands located around Camp Pendleton in a contest that includes physical and intellectual evaluations.
Cpl. Stanger, for example, said he went up against the other non-commissioned officers in his unit in a four-month process that included a book report. (His choice? "All Quiet on the Western Front.")
Originally from Indiana, Stanger said he was a taekwondo instructor in high school: "I was actually kind of the underdog in school, you know? Didn't have many friends."
But he was off to boot camp after his 18th birthday, and now seems to love his job despite the inherent dangers: "Anything to do with explosives, that's what I do," he said with a grin.
Among the honorees last Friday was "Spouse of the Year" Stephanie Griswold, who accepted a certificate of recognition from Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, as well as several special gifts from event sponsor USA Discounters.
Nydegger said the family readiness officers at Camp Pendleton each nominate a spouse for the award, and Griswold was chosen from a list of 20 nominees.
Before departing, the honorees were asked to line up to shake hands with the business leaders who attended the dinner.
Dykes said he has been involved with the annual event for six years, and has always received enthusiastic feedback: "As humble as they are, they enjoy the opportunity to get dressed in their uniform, stand proud, and say, 'This is what a Marine looks like.'"
Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/military-enlisted-recognition-event-honors-marines-sailors-of-the-year/article_64a539b1-8de6-5708-b2e9-ae791eef0c26.html#ixzz1o4iZ6Ya1
