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died from hostile fire in Iraq on April 9, 2004 while assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.

ACTIVE EAGLES

Sarah Fortier

Graduate: 2003
Original Post 1/23/08:
Hello there. I was talking to my mom earlier, and she told me to email you and let you know what's going on. Well, as I'm positive she's told you, I'm in Baghdad. I've been here since May 07. We will be back home this August ('08). I'm a specialist in the Army as a Military Police Officer. Well, this is my email address, she said that I should get on the GC website.. texasred85@gmail.com

Sarah Fortier

class '03

William Mobley
Graduate: 2006
Hi everyone. Well I'm on deployment in the north Arabian sea right now. Nothing else iIcan tell you at this time. Hope all is good at home. My email is william.mobley@cvn74.navy.mil

Michelle Hughes

Graduate: 2006

Original Post 12/18/06:

Michelle graduated from boot camp and is serving a 4 1/2 year term with the U.S. Navy. She is currently stationed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland where she is performing office duties awaiting a placement in the Navy's Aviation School within a year.

Michael Summers

Graduate: 2003

Update 1/06:

Michael is scheduled to graduate from Air Force Basic Training on January 20, 2006.

Andrew Thumsuden

Graduate: 2006

Original Post 12/12/06:

Andrew is now at Marine Corps Boot Camp and will be there for the next twelve weeks. He will graduate on February 9 in San Diego. He welcomes any encouraging letters you can send. Flat parcel mail only, please.

REC. Thumsuden AH

2nd RTBN Eco

PLT 2107

38001 Midway Ave.

San Diego, CA 92140

Amberly Greig
Graduate: 2005

Update from Alvin & Deb Terry:
Amberly graduated in 2005 and is now serving in the Air Force Reserve. She is training at Sheppard AFB,TX and will be an EMT(Emergency Medical Tec). In two weeks she will move to Travis AFB , CA for two months of on the job training. She absolutely loves the Air Force and is doing well. It has given her the opportunity and drive to keep running which is still her passion that began on the Grape Creek Cross Country Team!

Brennan Brown and Brandy Schmedicke

Graduates: 2004 (both of them)

Update from Valerie Brown (Brennan's sister) 11/05:

Brennan Brown and Brandy Schmedicke got married in July 2005 and had a girl on April 29, 2005. They named her Lexy Marie Brown. Brennan enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2005 and will graduate basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky in December 2005. We are not sure where they will be stationed but I will have to update later. Brennan will be a Cavalry Scout as well. He had been through some college at Texas State Technical College in Abilene. He was do some pilot training and education there. Brandy and Lexy are currently living in Grape Creek.

Diego Castro - GCHS Graduate 2000

From April Castro 11/06:

Hello this is April Castro , CPL Diego Castro's wife. We would like to update some info on his military career. He is currently serving in the Army overseas serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are currently expecting our first child which we are both very excited about. He graduated Grape Creek High School in 2000. He is due home sometime late next year, but he will be here for the birth of our baby. Just wanted to say God Bless all the military families out there.

Chris Ross - GCHS Graduate 2005

From Donna Mendez, Chris Ross' Mom:

11/06:

Chris is still in Germany doing physical therapy he broke 2 vertebras in his back. He is coming home on the 18th for Christmas. When he finishes PT then he will go to the medical board. if anyone wants to send him an a-mail his is misfitsonly@msn.com

From Donna Mendez, Chris Ross' Mom:

5/06:

Chris is stationed in Germany, He is doing pretty good all things being he has gone thru since he has been over there. He left on for Germany Dec 04, 2005. Since being in Germany he has gone to Austria for a weekend trip with some buddies and planning a trip to France in June of 06 for his birthday. He has a place that he can go and check his emails so you can drop him a line. email is misfitsonly@msn.com

From Donna Mendez, Chris Ross' Mom:

10/05: Chris left for Army boot camp on June 29th and will be graduating from Boot Camp & AIT training on Oct 27th. He is at Fort Knox. They had family day in September. We drove out and got to spend 3 days with him. He is still a clown and has put on a pound or 2. Chris will be coming home with us on Oct 27 after graduation.

He had home recruiting for 2 weeks then 14 days leave. Then he will go to Germany for 2 to 3 years. Yes Angela (Cochran) and Chris are still dating and plan on getting married some time in the near. More to come later.

Thanks! Donna Mendez

SPC Kenneth Cole Disman - Attended GCISD until 1988

From ReGina Disman Hasty (Sister) 9/05:

Hi Mrs Franklin.. This is ReGina (Disman) Hasty (Grape Creek student 1979-1988, 8th grade graduate 1988).. I was looking over the schools web site and the alumni/Military section. I know Cole did not graduate from Grape Creek since mom moved to town his senior year, but all three of us, he, I and our sister, grew up out here and went to school here all of our years and Grape Creek is still where we live and call home.. Cole is currently in the National Guard and stationed in Iraq @ Camp Tallil. He has been there since Jan. 1, 2005. We are hoping he gets a 10 day leave by October but they keep pushing the date back. Rumor is his unit will be coming home by Christmas BUT they could only be home for about a month before re-deploying for another years tour in Iraq.

If anyone would wish to contact Cole his address at the moment is

He can be mailed @ 8706 Sunflower San Angelo TX 76901 and we can forward him any messages.

Anyway just thought you could add him to the site.

ReGina Disman Hasty

Recruit Derek H. Shropshire - Graduate 2005

From Lisa Shropshire 8/05:

Right now Derek is in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He will be there for another week or two. Then he will be stationed in Camp Lejune, North Carolina. He is an Ammunition Technician. That means he could be doing anything from building ammo to hauling it. He is enjoying his duty very much. He will be in North Carolina for a couple of years. He has made lots of new friends. He really misses being home with his family & friends, but he is getting to do and see things that otherwise he would never have the chance.

From Lisa Shropshire 8/05:

He has been in Marine boot camp for 2 weeks (as of 8/15/05). 11 more to go.

Lance Corporal William Franke, USMC – GC Graduate 2000

From Sandra Franke (Mom) 2/05:

Will is in the "Ready Reserves" which means they have to give him 60 days home and then they can whistle for him at any time for 4 years. He is working a temporary job right now and would like to enroll in school.

Ramiro Camarillo Jr. – GC Graduate 2000

From Audrey Camarillo (Sister) 9/06:

Ramiro has moved with his family back to the United State and is now located in New Mexico. Ramiro and his family are excited to be back in the states.Also Ramiro has just recently received a new promotion. Him and his family are doing great.

From Alma Camarillo--Ramiro's mother, on Oct. 6, 2004:
Ramiro re-enlisted into the Air Force (fire fighting) and he and his wife Angela have been stationed in Japan since February 2004. In December, their son, Daniel Seth, will turn one year old. Ramiro is scheduled for a thirty-day visit to Grape Creek in November when he hopes to visit the school and his former teachers. The visit home has been granted because he is scheduled to do a tour in Iraq beginning in either January or February.

Sue Ellen Armendariz (Now Villa): Years at Grape Creek: 1994-1998

I'm in the Army and stationed in Korea. I've been in for a year and a half. I will return to the states in March. I have a 3 year old little boy, Adrian, along with Michael who is in school in San Angelo. Good luck to everyone and GOD BLESS!

Jason Willingham – GC Graduate 2004
(As of 11/04, Jason is in boot camp and cannot receive anything other than a letter)

Update from Sean Willingham (brother) 11/05:

Jason Willingham is stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a C-130 mechanic. He is engaged to a wonderful girl from Tulsa Oklahoma with a tentative wedding date of next December. He will be in Japan till 2007 and then off to another post to do more great things for the country.

Georgeanne Bunnell: Years at Grape Creek: 1991-2001 – GC Graduate 2001

Update from Georgeanne 10/10/05: ...I was just looking at the website and thought that I'd see how Grape Creek High was doing. I am doing very well. My name is not Bunnell anymore, it's Richards. I got married a little over a year ago. His name is Colin and I met him when I was stationed at Barksdale AFB, LA. We are currently stationed at Travis AFB in California. Right now I'm doing a tour in Kuwait and will return in March. I ran into Leonard Carrasco, which I am sure you already know. He was just about to leave when I got here. I hope everything is well with you and I will try make a visit when I go home next year...

Update from Leonard Carrasco re: Georgeanne 8/05: Right now, I am deployed to Kuwait. I just ran into Georgeanne. (Bunnell). She just arrived here a week ago and will be here for the next six months.

I'm in the Air Force and I am on my way to Korea. I have been in for almost two years. I was stationed at Barksdale for a year and half. I leave in November. I am in Security Forces, which means I am a cop.

This from Georgeanne Bunnell 10/6/04: I am still in the military serving as Security Forces in the Air Force. I am in Korea and will be leaving here in December. Afterwards, I will be heading to Travis AFB near San Francisco in California. I have been here for almost a year and can't wait to get back to the States. I have three years left, in which I will probably reenlist. My email address has not changed and I still use my parents' mailing address in Grape Creek.
Georgeanne

Trevor Byrd (married Katrina Darby)—GC Graduates 2001 and 2000

Update from Trevor and Katrina (Darby) Byrd (and son, Blake) 4/05:

We are doing fine. We are still stationed out here in Virginia Beach, Virginia with the Navy. But in just a few short months we will be moving back to Grape Creek, where one day our son will be able to attend the Grape Creek schools. Trevor had back surgery back in August of 2004, which he is still recovering from. I am still a stay at home mom, to a very smart and energetic 2 year old. I just thought that I would write to see how you were doing and how good old Grape Creek holding up? Well, I hope this finds everything well. Take Care.

Love,

The Byrds

Original Post:

I graduated!! I got married on the 26th of May 2001 to Katrina Darby and went off to serve in the United States Navy. We are currently stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am in VF-32 fighter squadron (F-14s) and attached to the Harry S. Truman, where I served a five month tour during
the war. I am a Plane Captain. The best news of all is we have a nine month old baby named Blake L. Byrd who is the joy of our live. He has been crawling for a month and has two teeth. He is a cutie pie with blonde hair and blue eyes. Thank you for all who have served with us!!

Sean M. Willingham
Years at Grape Creek: 1990-2003 GC Graduate 2003

Update from Sean on 11/05:

Well I'm no longer in up state New York. Instead I'm over here in the little world of South Korea. I have been here since 04 April 2005 and am liking it so far. I am in the 501st BDE 3rd MI BN at Camp Humphreys. The people are nice and very accepting of the U.S. troops for the most part. Life here is interesting and fun. Working with Korean Soldiers is neat. We help them better their English and in return they help us learn Hangul. I haven't seen much of the country but I am slowly between work and everything else.

Update:12/06/04 to Mrs. Deweber:
I will be coming home for Christmas on the 17th for 19 days of much needed R&R. I have weird work hours here. Most of the time I have PT from 0700-0800, work 0930-1130 & 1300-1700. But when we have field exercises, I work either from 0630-1900 or 1830-0700. with only a 5- 5 min lunch break. I usually wake up at 0530 during the regular weeks and go to bed about 2200-2300.

Update:11/29/04:
I'm still in Ft. Drum NY. I haven't really done anything exciting, but a whole lot of field exercises. starting in OCT. of 05 we will start preparing to go to Afghanistan the following spring. My main goal right now is to work on getting my warrant officer packet together and become an OH-58 attack helicopter pilot. this spring I will be in Ft. Polk Louisiana for a month training for combat.

Original Post:

I joined the army and left for basic training at Ft. Benning, GA in July. I then went to Ft. Rucker, AL for Schooling.
I am now stationed in NY where, so far, the coldest I have seen is -40 degrees F. As of now I will stay in the states as a rear detachment with 110th attack helicopter battalion.

Joshua Schneider
Years at Grape Creek: 5th and 6th Grade Graduation Year: 2002

Update from Josh 11/05:

Hello its SPC Joshua Schneider giving you an update. First I would like to thank the community of Grape Creek for sending that care package. Also I'm married to a Korean girl her name is Natalya and we are having a baby anytime this month it's going to be a girl. Our new baby girl's name is Alina Lee Schneider. I cant wait. I got promoted for PFC to SPC. Thank you very much for supporting your troops. The whole Grape Creek community is a blessing from God. Thank you and God bless.

Update from Josh to Mrs. Deweber on Oct. 6, 2004:
I'm still in Seoul, Korea and will be here for the next 2 1/2years. I met a beautiful girl over here and will be getting married soon.
I have an address it is:
Josh Schneider
HHD 501st MI BDE
APO, AP 96205
BOX 96
It is great to hear something from you. Lets me know that at least someone cares. Thanks for everything you do. You too make a difference in this world.

Original Post:

Well after I left Grape Creek, I moved to New York to finish school.
After school I went in to the army and now I serve in Seoul, Korea. It is really nice to see a lot of my friends went into the military. I would like to hear back from you. Thanks.

Kris Martin (married to Ashley Jones) – GC Graduate 2000

Kristopher.david.martin@us.army.mil

Update from Kris - November 6, 2006:

Hello again everyone.

Yesterday was a crazy day here in Baghdad. I thought I would follow up my last email about the pending verdict in the Saddam Hussein trial with the news that he is to be hung within the next 30 days.

Iraqi justice is swift justice, so I don't believe it should take too long to get the deed done.

There was celebratory fire all over Baghdad and perhaps Iraq yesterday that continues today. Iraqis of all Muslim sects are celebrating the verdict by waltzing outside their homes with the AK-47 assault rifles and firing randomly into the air.

Needless to say, we are happy that they feel their justice system has made the right decision, but we are not too hot on the idea of everyone in Baghdad shooting off AK's. Typically, shooting an assault rifle around a coalition patrol is an offense that is only committed once, but today the patrols have been using a measure of discretion and we have not felt any negative repercussions as of yet.

My unit continues to move toward redeploying to the United States, as we are moving into temporary tents today. This is the final move prior to boarding the plane to return home. Please update my address to reflect my redeployment. Our address in Ft.

Hood is:

506 Geri Dr.

Copperas Cove, TX 76522

I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

SGT MARTIN, KRISTOPHER DAVID

MEDICAL PLATOON TRAINING NCO

HHT 8-10 CAV MEDICS

UNIT # 42505

APO AE 09344-2505

Update from Kris - November 1, 2006:

Hello again everyone. I wanted to let you all know that on November 1st I was promoted to SGT E-5. This was in response not only to hard work on my part, but perhaps more importantly, to your thoughts, prayers and support.

You all have kept me motivated throughout this deployment to be all that I could be. I look forward to applying to Physician Assistant School from here and making the next big step in my career.

I reenlisted in country for another two years so right now I will be getting out in 2011. I will be back at Ft. Hood for about a year and a half hopefully and then redeploy to Iraq if I don't get picked up for PA school on the first go-around.

Update from Kris--Feb 2006:

Dear Friends and Family,

I am glad to finally get this message out to you today after about a month of trouble with the email and internet system here. I think I have it all fixed, and hope that this message finds you well.

I would first like to thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. It has been a long, hard road since January 26^th when I boarded the plane, but I can tell that you are praying for me and my fellow soldiers continually. As I am sure you have seen on the news or heard by now, we are certainly in need of your thoughts and prayers now.

I have included a letter that was written by my Squadron Commander to the families and friends that the soldiers of the 8^th Squadron of the 10^th Cavalry Regiment left behind. He summarizes a day in the life of a deployed soldier so well, that I knew I could not do better. I am currently deployed to South Central Baghdad at a Forward Operating Base called Camp Falcon. Here, my fellow medics and I are charged with running a portion of the medical facility, serving as combat medics in the many types of patrols through Baghdad and surrounding areas, and helping Iraqi medical facilities by providing medical care and products when necessary.

I would just like to mention that my time in Iraq, although barely a month, has served to open my eyes to a larger world view already. My heart goes out to the children that are born into such a hateful way of life. We constantly patrol the streets and give the kids what we have (i.e. candy, canned fruits, etc.) and they are so appreciative. They know nothing but poverty and hate. Some were no older than my own sons and so innocent to this whole way of life. But it certainly does not take the kids long to learn how to hate the Western World. We have been hit with rocks and cursed at in many different languages. Through all this however I am amazed at the resolve of our soldiers here. I wish everyone back home could see the selflessness that is demonstrated here on a daily basis by our uniformed service men and women. I am honored to be here and to be serving with men and women of this caliber as we attempt to bring something to the Iraqi people that they have not yet begun to embrace; a freedom from terror and fear.

Please continue to pray with me for our soldiers, and not only for them, but for the Iraqi people; that they would be able to discern a helping hand from the hand of the enemy. My mailing address is attached to the end of this email for anyone who would like to send mail.

Welcome to 8-10 Cavalry!
MESSAGE FROM THE SQUADRON COMMANDER 12 January 2006
Dear Rough Rider Families

It has been about three weeks since I last wrote a letter from Kuwait to the families and friends of Rough Rider soldiers. I am happy to report that the entire Squadron is out of Kuwait and in our Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Iraq. I should qualify my use of the word "happy" in that we of course can never really be "happy" here because we are away from you. CSM Rodriguez and I are so proud of the Rough Rider Squadron and their great families. Our Squadron has been made better by the addition of an Infantry Company from 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the famed 101st Airborne Division. "Dog" Company, as we call it, consists of 2 anti-tank platoons and a light infantry platoon. The company is commanded by Captain Jeremy Fisk. I expect them to be working with us for a couple of months and then go back to their parent battalion, 2-506, who is on FOB FALCON with us.

The majority of the Squadron is in FOB FALCON which is a post south of Baghdad. Apache Troop, because of its mission to provide security on an important road, is in a different FOB called UNION 3 which is in the center of Baghdad but they still receive their support and are under the command and control of the Squadron. All of the Rough Rider soldiers are doing fine and to the extent that when we are inside of the FOB in our command posts and living quarters things are relatively comfortable. Those of us who deployed to Iraq for OIF 1 often note how much more comfortable the living conditions for us are now as compared to the way they were then.

Gee Won tells me that many of you would like a flavor for what our soldiers do everyday, so here goes. While there is no standard day for anyone here, the centerpiece of our operations is patrolling. A standard patrol (if there is such a thing) lasts anywhere from 4-8 hours and includes most or all of a section-sized element. Obviously, some patrols are larger, depending on the mission. We divide our patrol efforts up according to what goals they seek to accomplish.

Some of the major types of patrols are: The assessment patrol - this patrol seeks to check up on projects that we are doing for the local populations, to assess whether the work is being done to standard, and to see where other projects may be needed; The engagement patrol - Oriented on speaking with local citizens and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) leaders determine the needs, wants, and desires of the people and to coordinate operations with the ISF. We call this "gathering the atmospherics" of the neighborhoods and the ISF, and it helps us paint a picture of the dynamics affecting the people and their security; The counter-mortar/counter-rocket patrol - Because of the possible threat of indirect fires on our facilities and those of the ISF, we spend some time interdicting the enemy's ability to set up and shoot at us; The route security patrol - We have some major routes in our area of operations. In addition to large numbers of civilians that drive these routes, we also have a fair number of coalition forces and ISF that use them. Our ability to protect ourselves and them from IEDs and other threats is critical to mission success; The reconnaissance patrol - This operation seeks to find information necessary to accomplish the next type of patrol; The lethal patrol - Don't let the name scare you because it is simply a patrol that sets out to capture or kill a known bad guy or group. When we do these, we use overwhelming combat power to rid a neighborhood of threats to its security.

Despite what you may have heard or read, the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Police, and several Special Iraqi Commando Units, are really making great strides in providing security for their citizens. Given where these units started, their progress has been remarkable. Our charter in the Rough Rider Squadron is to continue this progress and ultimately get the ISF to take the lead in securing their country which will ultimately allow Coalition forces to come home.

The bottom line to all of this is that things are improving here. As a result of the factors above, plus many others, we have real hope for the future of the Iraqi people and their government. There is no doubt the violence will continue. We should not make ourselves believe that Iraq is yet a safe country. But all the indicators are pointing in the right direction. I would not tell you this if I did not believe it to be true.

I will write again in two to three weeks. Please be strong for us as we will do the same for you. We love and miss you all and you are always in our thoughts and prayers as we know we are in yours.

Sincerely and Respectfully for all that you do for us;

Lieutenant Colonel Gian P. Gentile

I look forward to staying in touch more often and can’t wait to get back home and see you all. Please feel free to send mail to the following address if you would like:

PFC MARTIN, KRISTOPHER DAVID

Update from Kris--Oct. 18, 2004:
I am now at Ft. Sam Houston, TX training to be a combat medic, which will hopefully open the door for me to get my LVN Nursing License while I go to school to complete my degree in Hospital Operations Management. Once I complete my degree, I will hopefully be able to become a warrant officer and help to run hospitals in a military environment.

A couple of weeks ago I got my EMT license, so I am now registered with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. I am now learning an exorbitant amount of medical information relating to battlefield health care. We have just completed the specialty course that involves invasive procedures such as injections, drawing blood, and starting IVs and saline locks. Our arms are all bruised and purple from where our "battle buddies" practice sticking our arms.

This upcoming week we will be going over how to transport casualties in a battlefield environment...probably more physically challenging than mentally. We will also be learning how to evacuate casualties by AirEvac/MedEvac...not really so interesting except that we will get to ride in a Black-Hawk Helicopter.

After that we will pretty much have one more set of classes before we do our field exercises and graduate. I hope to be able to come back to Grape Creek soon as a Recruiter's Assistant and maybe help for about 2 weeks or so. I am excited about my career and about being able to possibly save lives someday on the battlefield. We hope and pray that we are on the downward slope in this war, but we also know that if American men and women are going to be leaving home to protect our country, now or in the future, medics will be right there to bring them home to their families.

I am not sure where I will be stationed permanently when I graduate Ft. Sam in the next 6 weeks, but hopefully it will be as close to home as possible. Which reminds me...I am not sure if you knew or not yet, but before I went to Basic Training in May I proposed to Ashley Jones (another Grape Creek grad.). Hopefully we will be getting married before the New Year. Its hard trying to get the time when you are new in the military to get married, do the paperwork, and find the time to do all of the things that you could have done in the civilian world before you entered the military.

But all-in-all life is grand and I attribute much of my success to all the things that I learned while at Grape Creek HS. Thank you so much for your letter and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.PV2 Martin, Kristopher D. USA
(Ed. Note--Check out Ashley's letter on the Alumni page.)

UPDATE from Ashley 11/05:

We are still in Ft. Hood, Texas and everything is going wonderfully. I'm a stay at home mom/wife and we are expecting a little boy on January 22, 2006! Kris is scheduled to deploy on December 7th, 2005 to Iraq but he might be able to stay until the birth of our baby but we aren't sure yet.

Thanks! Ashley

Wesley Mobley – GC Graduate 2006

From Wesley 11/06:

Hey everyone its me. I'm graduated (from) boot camp on Sept. 22 and I go to Washington State on the 23 of Nov. It (is) fun so far. I will keep y'all updated on things. Talk to y'all later.

Wes

Michael Hutchins – GC Graduate 2002

From Michael Hutchins' Mother-Oct. 2004:
Just a quick letter for now to say hi and to let you know that Michael is in Iraq. Here is Michael's address. He would love to hear from any of the teachers and old friends, so please pass along.
LCpl Hutchins, Michael S.

Michael has been over there, it will be three weeks Sun. He turned 21 on Oct. 1st. He was on a convoy, they came under attack. He has already seen action. It was bad. Please drop him a line or two of encouragement.
He can get care packages, if anyone would like to send him one. Candy, Cookies, Reading Material, Grape Creek News, U S News, Funny Stories, Sports Updates, Games, Pictures etc..........Packages should be shoe box size, must have customs form, NO: alcohol, fuel of any kind (lighters etc..) aerosol cans, explicit material.

Bradley Jones – GC Graduate 2001 Attended GC: 1988-2001

Update from Barbara Jones, Bradley's mother, 12/05:

Just a quick note to let you know that Bradley is back home right now. He will be leaving around January 3 to report for duty at Fort Lewis, Washington. He and family are doing fine. Hannah is a typical 2 year old (constantly into something) and Ashlynn is now 10 months old and thinking about walking (she can get into a lot of things without walking). They are kind of excited about going somewhere where there is snow. He had an opportunity while in Iraq to switch from the National Guard to active Army so he enlisted for 3 years in the Army. He plans to make it a career since by the time he completes this 3 years he will have in almost 7 years. He is now an E5 (Sargent). He really likes the military (not necessarily the actual mission).

From Bradley 3/05:

I am currently deployed to Iraq, but Heather and I have decided to try the active duty life once I get home. I plan on being a CID escort officer, which will give me a chance to meet new people and a shot at being a warrant officer. I am currently with A co. 111th Engineering BN. a National Guard unit out of Abilene. Hope to be home soon.

(From Barbara Jones, his mother, 2/05):

Bradley was stationed at Ft. Hood and was deployed on Jan. 2 for Kuwait. He is now in Iraq. He married Heather Clift in November. They have two daughters, Hannah, who is 16 months old, and Ashlynn, born Feb. 10. Bradley got to see Ashlynn online a couple of days after her birth by going to growingfamily.com and visiting the web nursery.

Heather has now completed her GED and after a few months will either go back to school or possibly work until Bradley comes home. Bradley has decided that after he completes his tour with the National Guard he will go active duty army and then see where they end up.

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. Barbara

Randy Powell – GC Graduate 2003

Update from Mother, Brenda Powell 12/11/06:

Randy will be leaving for Iraq mid January. We found out on Dec 1. He should be back in Okinawa mid May.

Well, I am now in the USAF and married!! My wife, Bridget (Brewer) of Mertzon, and I married on July 3, 2004 and are now living in Okinawa, Japan...It sure is beautiful down here!! I am a firefighter, working 24 on/24 off, but I love my job!! We have 3 years here and so far we are definitely loving it and hope to be lucky enough to extend the tour a little longer...Take care and God Bless!

Update from Mother, Brenda Powell 10/31/05:

Randy and Bridget are still in Okinawa. His tour in Iraq is still on hold. Randy's dad, Roy Powell, who has been in the National Guard and working as a civil service employee at Goodfellow, learned that he will be deployed November 1 to Fort Hood. In January, he will fly out to the Sinai Region of Egypt on a peacekeeping mission for a year.

Update from Randy--July 19, 2006:

How is everything back in GC? Things are going great here. I am still doing the firefighting and I am loving it. I went up for a Below The Zone promotion and received it, so I am now a Senior Airman and driving the first run pumper for our base. I will reach my 2 year mark on July 27th and I am very much looking forward to the next few years. My wife and I are still in Okinawa and we will be leaving in February of 2008. Still not too sure where we'd like to go next though. Who knows?? Randy and Bridget Powell

Update from Randy 11/05:

It's me Randy Powell...

Well, as my mom has updated, Bridget and I are still in Okinawa and will be until February of 2008. Dad just deployed, so mom is toughing it out on her own right now. I don't think we'll try to extend over here anymore. It's about time to get back to the states, so I can own a gun. We aren't allowed to over here, so of course there's no hunting!!

We aren't really sure where we want to go next, but I'm sure anywhere will be an adventure for us. I was supposed to deploy to Kuwait in January, but it looks as though I'm not on the list as of now. But I'm sure I will get my turn eventually. I'm still doing the firefighting, but once I make Senior Airman I plan on applyign for OSI, the office of special investigations. There aren't enough real fires in the Air Force. But who knows, I could change my mind again before then. Right now, we're just busy working and trying to enjoy this island. Although we've
already seen most of it!! And we're busy with our two kiddos, Rocky and Kaji, they're 8 month old kittens!! I guess that's all for now. We'll be a getting our webpage up soon, so ya'll can see some pics of Okinawa.

Special Note: Randy's father, Roy Powell, is in the National Guard and will be leaving for Egypt soon. He is at Fort Hood until December 21, will come back to Grape Creek until Jan. 2 and then will ship out to Egypt after that.

Michael Boehm (married Esperanza DelaGarza) – GC Graduates 2003 and 2004

Stationed at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA

Update from Michael 8/06:

Just an update on what's going on with us. I'm leaving to Kuwait again on 11Sep06 and will be back in January, hopefully. Esperanza is going to school to be a pharmacist so that’s good.

Update from Michael 10/05:

Well I think that the only thing that has changed is Esperanza is now working at the biggest hospital here in town as a pharmacy tech. and she’s holdin’ down, she’s doing great at her job. As for me I have gone to Kuwait, 30 miles south of Iraq, and made it home safe. I probably wont go over again until next September, but I think that’s it.

Original Post:

I graduated at Grape Creek High, married my high school sweetheart, joined the Air Force, moved to Louisiana, and am doing great at a job that I really like. My wife is going to school to be a pharmacy tech. I lived in Grape Creek my whole life until I joined the Air Force. I grew up with a big family that all lived in San Angelo. I played a lot of sports and a little bit of extra things for school. My hobbies are fishing, hunting, working out, installing car audio systems, and electronics.

My job is cable and antenna maintenance. I put in telephone, computer, and fiber lines. Fiber is pretty high tech stuff. My enlistment is for six years, but I'm going to try to make it twenty years. I'll probably be here for four to six years and will be going overseas two or three times, but I don't know where. Future plan is just to stay in the air force and have a family and make a lot of money. I'm not attending school right now but I'm probably going to do what my wife is doing--pharmacy technician. Y'all know my wife is Esperanza De La Garza, well Esperanza Boehm now, and we are very happy with what we're doing and the life that we have and are going to make for ourselves.

Boehm Michael B A1C 2 CS/SCMC

Roger Abalos (married Misti Brothers) – GC Graduates 2001 and 2003

Update from Roger Abalos 11/05:

Hey how are you doing? Well since the last time I have updated my info. I had served time in Iraq for a little while, I ran into Michael Trejo while I was there. But now, I’m back here in Japan. We will be here for another 2 years before we get stationed somewhere else. We do have some news though! Misti (Brothers) and I had our first baby on August 18^th 2005. His name is Ethan Paul Abalos. He has been such a great blessing in both of our lives. I do have a website that has pictures of him: http://www.geocities.com/los_firefighter . He looks just like me!! Don’t know if that’s a good thing or not!! As far as military stuff I have gone up for Below the Zone so hopefully I will get that promotion pretty soon. Well that is pretty much everything that going on in my neck of the woods. Take it easy and take care.

Original Post:

After I left Grape Creek, I attended ASU for 2 years studying Criminal Justice. It got a little old and I wanted to do something productive with my life so i joined the Air Force. I got the job I was wanting guaranteed. I'm a firefighter. After boot camp Igot married to my beautiful wife Misti (Brothers). We are stationed in Misawa, Japan with Camarillo. I never went to school with him but be both found out that we graduated from the same high school. Its a small world. Misti is on the base basketball team. She gets to travel all over Japan. I am going to take a little "trip" to Iraq in January for 4 months. But as for Misti and I, we are doing very good. Japan is a great place to be, but nothing compared to Texas. Can't wait to get back. I am planning to get back into school when I come back from my "vacation"! I would just like to say hello to everyone back home and to please have all of the military personnel in your prayers. Every one take care.
Stationed in Japan for three years.

Leonard Carrasco - GC Graduate 2001

Update from Leonard 11/05:

I am back in Phoenix, AZ.

Update from Leonard 8/05:

Right now, I am deployed to Kuwait. I’ve been here 3 months already and was supposed to be going home Mid September but now I’m not leaving until October. I just ran into Georgeanne (Bunnell). She just arrived here a week ago and will be here for the next six months. I’m still stationed in Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ. I cant wait to go back there. I just got promoted to E-5, SSgt. on August 1^st . It’s a whole new ballgame with this rank.

Update from Leonard 11/15/04:
This is Leonard Carrasco, Class of '01. I was just on the school website seeing what's new at Grape Creek. Time has passed so fast since leaving San Angelo. It's great to see that you're still there. I've been to San Angelo a couple of times this school year but I haven't stopped by the school. Everyone that I knew from the classes below me have all graduated. So I just pass along on Grape Creek Road remembering when we walked those hallways.
I'm living in Phoenix, AZ, still serving in the Air Force (Senior Airman or SrA). I'm almost at 4 years and will still have 2 more years after that. I just got selected for another promotion, but I won't put my rank on until this summer. It's a long time but it gives me time to transition to the supervisory role. I'll be getting my own troops. Right now I am an assistant crew chief (Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman" A.K.A. Jet Engine Mechanic") running the crew and most of the time my supervisor is gone, so that leaves me with a lot of responsibility. It's good for me though. It's helping me grow.
In case you're wondering, I work on Fighter jet engines. I'm actually qualified to work on any engine and aircraft but this station I'm on only has F-16 fighter jets. I never thought I would have my hands on a 4 million dollar jet engine. Even with all this, I'm still not sure about reenlisting another term. I go to a community college (Glendale Community College) part time so I won't be back to San Angelo at least until next summer or maybe even the fall. May God Bless you, Leonard

Jonathan Ramirez - GC Graduate 2002

Update from Leonard Carrasco about Jonathan to Mrs. Franklin, 11/16/04:
I am having a lot of fun with this alumni page. Just to let you know, Jonathan Ramirez, Class
of '02 also joined the Air Force. He is stationed at Dyess afb, tx, Abilene, TX. The last I heard, he was getting out this coming
summer.

Update from Jonathan to Mrs. Franklin, 11/19/04:
Hi Mrs. Franklin!!! It’s so good to hear from you. How is everything going? Everything is good over here. You knew I was stationed in Abilene right? So I’m not too far from home. I'll go take a look at the website…thanks. Just to let you know, I will be getting out of the air force at the end of May. The air force is over-manned and people with certain jobs were able to apply for early separation. I applied and they accepted it. I will still be getting my college tuition and all the benefits! I will probably go to ASU next fall. Well I have to go but I will keep in touch and I want you to do the same. Take care!!!

Lance Corporal Chance Murphy – GC Graduate 2003

Update 11/05 from his mother, Leann Murphy:

Chance is a Marine in the 6th CAG stationed in Norwest Iraq on the Euphrates River at the Syrian border. He's been there since September 2005 and as it stands now, he's scheduled to be back in the States in March 2006. At that point, he'll be stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene.

Jason Jones - GC Graduate 2003

Update from Randy Powell 1/06:

Jason Jones (JJ) is over here in Okinawa. He got here on December 1 ... He spent Christmas and New Years with us. He's stationed at Camp Schwab, which is a good ways north of where we are, but it's still not too far!! He'll be here for 2 years.

Jessica Garcia – GC Graduate 2001

US Air Force

Will Allen – GC Graduate 2003

Stephen and Kenna (Rowe) Bergman:

Graduates: 2003 (both of them)

Update from Shaunessey Rowe (Kenna's sister) 11/05:

Since Kenna hardly gets anytime to check this page I will let you know how she and Stephen are doing. They were married on July 14 of 2003 shortly after graduation. Henry Evan (Hank) was born on November 20 of the same year. Hank is about to turn two yrs old. Stephen joined the Marine Corp and is an MP at Twenty-Nine Palms, California. While stationed there, Kenna was pregnant again with another baby boy, Ryan Edward was born on June 9 of 2005. It looks like they will be living in 29-Palms for another year or two. Kenna and the boys will be home for Christmas this year.

Ryan Lasly (married Jennifer Cooper) – GC Graduates 2002
US Air Force stationed in Wyoming

Update from Ryan to Mrs. Franklin, 12/23/07:

Well it has been a very big year this year. I have been deployed to Kuwait for a few months and will be returning in mid January. Well Jennifer (Cooper) and I have had our first child Megan Elizabeth on 21 July 2007. She is healthy and getting big from what I can see in the pictures Jen sends me via email. I sewed on Staff Sergeant in August 2006 and am currently waiting for my cross training to start in April 08. Jen is tagging along well we miss Texas a lot but we will be there hopefully sometime in the near future. We are all doing well and look forward to the future. Well take care and God bless.

Update from Jennifer Lasly 11/05:

Currently Ryan and I are living in Cheyenne, Wyoming with our cat named Sheba. We do not have any kids yet. Ryan has been in the Air Force now for a little over three years. He just tested for Staff Sergeant and got it so he

will sew on next summer. I am fixing to graduate form Laramie County Community College in May 2006 with my associate's degree in Early Childhood Education.

Ryan and Jennifer Lasly

Update from Ryan to Mrs. Franklin, 12/9/04:
This is Ryan Lasly from Class of '02. Jennifer and I are doing great up here in Wyoming. Cheyenne is not near as warm as Grape Creek but we layer up. We came home for Thanksgiving this year and to help my parents move. We have been doing a lot of moving lately. My mother put our address on the site and our zip code is not accurate, the correct zip is 82001. Jennifer
is attending school at LCCC ( the local community college). She is studying to be a teacher. Life in the AF is really interesting, my job does not allow me to say much but it is probably the most challenging thing I have ever done. Well got to go, so please keep us posted and I hope to hear from you soon.

Ed. Note: See Jennifer's note on the alumni page.

Eric Schmedicke – GC Graduate 2001

No details at this time.

Jeff Ballard – Student at GC until 8^th – 1999 Graduate of Lake View High School, San Angelo

No details at this time

Marine Cpl Kipper Sykes— (Note: Brenda Sykes is a teacher at Grape Creek Elementary School and her son, Kipper, is part of our extended GC family.) Graduate of Lake View High School 2001.
Completed two tours in Iraq.

Update from Brenda Sykes 12/18/06:

He is a Sgt. and is now stationed at the American Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

Update from Brenda Sykes 10/05:

Kipper----Marine----Sgt. Christopher V. Sykes, is now stationed at the American Embassy in Tallin, Estonia. He will be there until summer of 2006. He doesn’t know where he will be sent after that, but he is loving Estonia. (Anything would be better after 2 tours in Iraq.) I sleep a lot better. Thanks, Brenda Sykes

Mikel E. Trejo -- Student at GC K-12 - 2000 Graduate

Email: mkfoxxx@hotmail.com

Address: Little Rock AFB, AR

Update 9/06 from Mikel:

Many may not remember the Class of 2000 when they first paved its way 6 years ago thru GCISD but I do. Well, I just want to update you and everyone in Grape Creek that I'm still alive, well and still currently serving in the USAF. Right now I'm serving my 5th deployment overseas in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

You may have heard about the base recently on the news when a major disappeared for 4 days while off base. Well, I'm still stationed at Little Rock AFB, AR but the past few years I haven't been able to enjoy it due to deployments. Jan 22nd will be 6 yrs in the AF and I'm probably goin to reenlist for another 4. I'm not yet married, no kids and living a dream.

When I get back in the states I'm goin towards accomplishing my electrical engineering degree if I can stay home for over 4 months at a time. I was in San Angelo in the better part of July last month taking some leave but didn't see many people. I did notice that Trevor & Katrina Byrd are back in Grape Creek and visited with them for a bit. I still keep in touch with most of class of 2000. I will be heading back to San Angelo, TX some time mid Jan 07 to move my girlfriend back with me to Little Rock, AR. Hope to see more of graduates and maybe some teachers of Grape Creek ISD.

Mikel Trejo, SSGT, USAF

Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan

Update from Carolyn Trejo (Mikel's mother) 11/05:

Mikel is scheduled to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time in two years. He is coming home from Kuwait where he has been for a while and won't know what his next assignment will be, but the good news is that he will be making Staff Sergeant in January (and Mom is sure proud).

Information 2004:

Graduated High School in 2000 and took a little month break. Joined the U.S. Air Force (6 years) on Jan 2001. Stationed at Little Rock AFB, AR. Assigned to 314 AMXS, 53 Airlift Squadron Blackjacks. Took a tour in June 2003 to Qatar. July 2004 transfered to 463 AMXS, 61 Airlift Squadron Hornetts. Took another tour in Nov 2004 to Qatar for 1 month, then moved to Kuwait for a couple of weeks, now I'm currently serving in Iraq. Seen Roger Abalos and Ramiro Camarillo Jr here. Scheduled to return sometime in Mar.. or April. I just hit my 4 year mark in Jan so got 2 years left.

Countries I've been to: Kuwait, Germany, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Iraq and more to come.

DISCHARGED EAGLES

Aaron Woods:
Graduate of GC K-8 and Lake View HS (1999)
Completed 4 years in the Marine Corps as of September 7, 2003. Employed at McCoy's Lumber

Lcpl Preston Hitchcock - GC Graduate 2001

Preston & Crystal ( Kris Boyce-Class of 2000) have Jeremy, who will be 2 in January, and Kailee, born in May 2004. Preston and Crystal are now back in Grape Creek, having completed their time in the service.

Thomas Maiman - GC Graduate 2000
Thomas was a Petty Officer (E-5) with the Coast Guard serving on the US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett out of Seattle, Washington. He served in a supervisory capacity in the area of radar/communications out to the Aleutian Islands.

Heath Elliott:
Graduate of GC K-8 and Lake View HS (1999)
US Marines – served a tour in the Persian Gulf and Iraq in 1ST MARINE MEU FOX CO

Fabian Trejo – GC Graduate 2002
No details at this time