Malden Marines Return from Basic Training before Heading to Camp LeJeune Mayor Gary Christenson welcomed Class of 2014 Malden High School graduates Private First Class Marines Philip West and Andolph Joseph. The young men enlisted in the Marine Corps upon graduation and were in Malden this past week visiting Malden High School students in their full dress uniforms. The Marines have just completed 13 weeks of basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. A third classmate, Private First Class Marine Wyler Giordani returned to Malden with them, but was unable to make it to the Mayor’s office. The Mayor, who remembered Private First Class West from his days working for the Summer Youth Employment program on energy matters, congratulated him on the honor of being selected over more than 70 Marines in his platoon to be the “Recruit Honor Grad.” The Lt. Gen. Lewis Berwill “Chesty” Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award is presented to the Marine of each graduating company who demonstrates the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. Lt. Gen. Puller is one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in history. Private West had the top scores, best rifle range and excelled in all aspects of training, both physical and academic. Private West, who has wanted to be a Marine since he was a freshman in high school, is strongly considering a career in the military. Private First Class Andolph Joseph was born in Haiti and came to United States when he was six. He has lived in Malden since he was in seventh grade. He plans to have a career in federal law enforcement after the Marine Corps. Private Joseph enlisted in the Marines as a way to give back to his country and to make his family proud. All three Marines will be on a 5:00 AM flight Tuesday morning to Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina School of Infantry for intensive training on combat skills. “I commend these young men for their willingness to build careers around defending and protecting our freedom,” said Mayor Christenson. “They are a true inspiration.” Photo courtesy of Paul Hammersley City of Malden
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:31:35 +0000
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