May 15, 2009 Serving The Twentynine Palms Community …

Lance Cpl. Todd Bohacik, an automatic rifle-man with 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, CompanyG, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment,aims-in during the battalion’s squad live-firecertifications in the Combat Center’s GaysPass Training Area Monday through Sunday.

CCPPLL.. MMAARRGGAARREETT CCLLAARRKK HHUUGGHHEESS

May 15, 2009 Serving The Twentynine Palms Community Since 1957 Vol. 52 Issue 19

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w w w . 2 9 p a l m s . u s m c . m i l w w w . O P 2 9 o n l i n e . c o m

Combat Center Band hitshigh note in Chicago ~ See A3

I want to ride my bicycleSee A6

Gooooaaaaaaaaal!See B1

Aaron gets his kicksSee B1

Combat Center showcases clean energyLLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. MM.. CC.. NNEERRLLCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Jim Costa, a congressmanwith California’s 20thCongressional District in SanJoaquin Valley, along withother representatives andmembers from theSubcommittee on Energy andMineral Resources, visited theCombat Center Sunday to seehow the base’s plans and pro-cedures align with past, pres-ent and future alternative andrenewable energy resources.

The visit was a new experi-ence for the representativesand the rest of their staff. Itserved as a curiosity fulfill-ment for them about whatgoes on aboard the base, saidCynthia Lummis, a congress-woman representing

Cheyenne, Wyo.“It’s a very good operation,

and the programs are all veryconscious of the environ-ment and wildlife,” she said.“It’s good to see the militarysetting an example by doingthings this well for the earth.”

The tour was also the first ofits kind for the Combat Centeras well.

“The visit is the first onewe’ve ever dealt with like this,”said Adam Clancy, a protocolspecialist for the base. “Thecongressmen and woman,along with all the others intheir staff, really took a lotfrom seeing the base and howwe run things.”

The representatives took anaerial tour of the CombatCenter, visited geothermaldrilling sites, examined future

locations for planned meteoro-logical towers and wind tur-bines, and looked over thenumerous current and futuresolar panel projects on base.

Clancy said the base is theleader in the Marine Corps forenergy conservation, as wellas an outstanding place forthe preservation of wildlife.

“We’re at the top of theMarine Corps as far as energyconservation and clean energyproduction,” he said. “We alsohave an extensive programleading to the rehabilitationand preservation of speciessuch as the desert tortoise.”

With the visit over, thebase is still planning andpreparing to take furthersteps to keep its power con-sumption and productionenvironmentally friendly.

Motorcycle riders saygoodbye to reflective vestsLLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. MM.. CC.. NNEERRLLCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

As of May 8, motorcycle riders Corps wideare no longer required to wear reflective

vests according to the 21st Executive SafetyBoard’s message which amended the orderfor the equipment.

Dave Horn, the Combat Center’s safetydirector said the change did not come becauseit was a huge necessity, but because the vest didnot make a huge impact on the rider’s safety.

“People are going to get into accidentseither way,” he said. “While the vests domake the rider more visible, they were notreally preventing accidents by being shiny.

“The equipment that really does therider the most good is the protective gear,”he said. “Riders will benefit more from ahelmet or other gear like that than a vest.”

All other proper protective gear, such asapproved helmets, long-sleeve and long-legged clothing, full-fingered gloves, andhard-soled shoes must still be worn.

Even though they are given the choice,some riders, such as Lance Cpl. Pejhomme

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. MM.. CC.. NNEERRLL

A Mercy Air pilot talks with Congressman Jim Costa and Congresswoman CynthiaLummis Saturday before their aerial tour around the Combat Center.


Some riders aboard the Combat Centerstill choose to wear their reflective vest,even though it is not required, the ridersmay choose to wear or not wear the reflec-tive vest both during the day and at night.

After 7 month deployment,Watchdogs, 1st Tanks returnOOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT STAFF

Family, friends and fellow serv-ice members gathered at theMarine Unmanned AerialVehicle Squadron 1 hangar and1st Tank Battalion’s headquar-ters building, to welcomeapproximately 35 Marinesreturning home from a 7-month deployment in supportof Operation Iraqi FreedomMay 7.

Twenty Marines returnedfrom VMU-1 and the 15returned from 1st Tanks’Company B advanced party.

The VMU-1 Watchdogsdeployed to Al Asad, Iraq,where they supported intelli-gence operations by utilizing

CCPPLL.. RR.. LLOOGGAANN KKYYLLEE

Sgt. Nathan Marple, an unmanned aerial vehicle opera-tor with with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron1, laughs with his son, Grayson, at the VMU-1’s head-quarters May 7. Sgt. Marple and the rest of VMU-1returned to the Combat Center after a deployment insupport of Operation Iraqi Freedom.See RETURN, A10See VEST, A7

CCPPLL.. MMAARRGGAARREETT CCLLAARRKKHHUUGGHHEESSCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

As Marines make their waythrough rocky, uneven terrain andclose in on simulated enemybunkers, fire teams open-fire andtake out each position.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7thMarine Regiment spent a weeksquad rushing their way to obtainthe battalion’s squad live-fire certifi-cations in the Combat Center’sGays Pass Training Area.

To receive their certifications,each squad is evaluated on their abil-ity to react to an enemy engagementthrough offensive maneuvers, saidCapt. Carlos Cuevas, the command-ing officer for 2/7’s Company G.

“We will remediate until theypass,” said Gunnery Sgt. SimonSandoval, the Co. G gunnery ser-geant. “We train to standards, nottime.”

Although the training involvesthe whole squad, it is mainly to eval-uate the squad leaders, their abilityto lead their squad and how theybreak them down to achieve the

2/7 sets sights on squad certification

See 2/7, A4

AACCRROOSSSS1. Assigned a PG to,

say6. Assume as a fact11.Hydro power source14.Sachet’s quality15.Sillily imitative16.Soccer cheerword17.Noted World

War II-era pinup19.Dyer’s vessel20.Suffix with elephant21.Yastrzemski in the

Hall22.Way out24.Tell the tale of26.One way to travel27.Actor and 2008

presidential candidate33.Vampire hunter’s

need36.Ford a shallow

stream, say37.Substance with

an -ite suffix, perhaps38.Trucking unit39.Exert, as influence41.Bar topic42.Web address ending

43.Walk like an expectant father

44.Took part in a bee46.1960 Olympics

track star50.Mr. Potato Head

piece51.Mr. __ (classic

candy)55.Pigskin’s spin58.Golden Fleece

transporter59.Victorian __60.Surfacing stuff61.Massachusetts

congressman since 1981

64.Swelled head65.Sleaze bags66.Like howls in the

night67.Sword vanquisher

of proverb68.__ Park, Colo.69.Gave medicine to

AA22 MMAAYY 1155,, 22000099 OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT

YABBA DABBA DO

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#1

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Public Affairs Officer Jennie E. HaskampDeputy Public Affairs Officer 1st Lt. Doy DemsickPublic Affairs Chief Gunnery Sgt. Sergio Jimenez

Press Chief/Editor Cpl. Corey A. BlodgettLayout, Design Leslie Shaw

CCoommmmaannddiinngg GGeenneerraall BBrriigg.. GGeenn.. CChhaarrlleess MM.. GGuurrggaannuuss

Observation Post

CCeenntteerrssppeeaakk

FOREIGN WEAPONS INSTRUCTOR WITHHEADQUARTERS BATTALION

“Lots of money,time off and a

nice, new truck.”

SGT. LUCAS WALLEK

GUNNERY SGT. JAMES SCHNEEWEIS

S3 CHIEF WITH HEADQUARTERS BATTALION

“The economy toget better, to be

rich and to be able togo fishing whenever I

want.”

MORTARMAN WITH 3RD BATTALION, 7THMARINE REGIMENT

“For my end of activeservice date to

come faster, a million dol-lars and a Ferrari.”

Opinions expressed in Centerspeak are not necessarily those of the OBSERVATION POST, theMarine Corps or Department of Defense.

IIff yyoouu hhaadd tthhrreeee wwiisshheess wwhhaattwwoouulldd tthheeyy bbee??

PFC. NICK PATRICK

The Observation Post is published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a pri-vate firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense orthe United States Marine Corps, under exclusive written contractwith the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This commer-cial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for membersof the military services. Contents of the Observation Post are notnecessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the United Statesgovernment, the DoD, or the United States Marine Corps. Theappearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts andsupplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Hi-Desert Publishing of the services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available forpurchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion,sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, politicalaffiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user orpatron. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office,MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92278. All photos, unless oth-erwise indicated are Official USMC Photos. Questions can be direct-ed to the Public Affairs Office, located in building 1417, during nor-mal working hours at (760) 830-6213 or FAX (760) 830-5474. TheObservation Post is made with 60 percent recycled paper.

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American Profile Hometown Content 04/19/2009

DDOOWWNN1. Yitzhak of Israel2. Wrestler’s workplace3. Caddie or bellhop4. CPR pro5. Service for

children of two-income families

6. Scored a 4 on,maybe

7. Gem from Australia8. Bro or sis9. Land in the ocean10.1997 thriller with

Michael Douglas and Sean Penn

11.Flatfish on menus12.Word said with a

sigh13.Team with a new

stadium in 200918.Scandal suffix23.Headstone letters25.Monogram of a

‘60s attorney general28.Tammany Hall’s

“Boss” __29.Talking computer

of sci-fi

30.Without a match31.Passed on by

storytellers32.Politico Gingrich33.Pack in the overhead34.Spelling or Amos35.L-shaped brace39.Subject of many

campus protests40.Post-op hosp. area43.Story with a moral44.Lampooned45.Deg. for many profs47.Scratch up48.Hideous woman49.Lethargic52.Market pessimists53.Golfer Palmer, to

his fans54.Did an October

chore55.Bit of choreography56.Congressional

gofer57.Vientiane’s land58.Start the pot62.Dirt-road track63.Rock’s

__ Speedwagon

Combat Center Spotlight

NNaammee:: Lance Cpl.Steven RussellJJoobb TTiittllee:: Marine CorpsCommunications-Electronics School Clerkwith the InstallationPersonnelAAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn CCeenntteerrJJoobb DDuuttiieess:: I run theunit diary, customer serv-ice, help students withpay problems, adddependants and changebasic information.WWhhaatt ddoo yyoouu lliikkee mmoossttaabboouutt yyoouurr jjoobb:: HelpingMarines get paid whatthey’re supposed to getpaid.SSiiggnniiffiiccaanntt AAcchheeiivveemmeennttss:: We received a certificate ofcommendation for our inspector general inspection.HHoobbbbiieess:: Basketball, making music and taking care of mykids.MMiilliittaarryy SSeerrvviiccee:: Two years active duty Marine CorpsTTiimmee aatt CCoommbbaatt CCeenntteerr:: One year

1 2 31 4

5 6 2 7 81 7 9 4

2 9 7 57 3 8 9

4 7 5 1 39 2

8 6 2

[[ppuuzzzzllee SSoolluuttiioonnss oonn AA1100]]

Hot Topics

IIMMMMIIGGRRAATTIIOONNThe Legal Assistance Office, build-ing 1514, assists all active duty (nofee) and their spouses ($675) withbecoming a U.S. citizen. Pick up apacket. Schedule an appointmentwhen forms are complete. A mili-tary outreach by U.S. Citizenship &Immigration Services is scheduledfor June 4. Immigration officerswill assist active duty & familymembers with all types of immi-gration issues, including naturaliza-tion, permanent resident status,visas, petitions, applications, immi-gration forms, and answering ques-tions. For more information andto schedule an appointment call830-6111.

CCAALLIIFFOORRNNIIAA DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTTOOFF HHEEAALLTTHH EESSTTAABBLLIISSHHEESS

HH11NN11 HHOOTTLLIINNEEAs part of California Departmentof Public Health's efforts to pro-vide updated information toCalifornians on what they can do toprotect themselves and their fami-lies from the H1N1 flu outbreak,CDPH has activated a toll-freeH1N1 hotline in English andSpanish. Assistance in other lan-guages is also available. The phonenumber is 1-888-865-0564 and thehotline is available Monday throughFriday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., andon weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This Day in Marine Corps History

MMaayy 1155,, 11886622

Cpl. John Mackie, the first Marine toearn the Medal of Honor, was com-

mended for service in the USS Galenaduring action against Confederateshore batteries at Drewry’s Bluffwhich blocked the James River

approaches to Richmond.

MMoorrnniinngg RRoouuttee 11sstt RRuunn 22nndd RRuunnTwo Mile Rd. - Two Mile Rd. 5:15 a.m. 6:30 a.m.Two Mile Rd. - Desert Knoll Ave. 5:17 a.m. 6:32 a.m.Desert Knoll Ave. - Joe Davis Dr. 5:20 a.m. 6:35 a.m.Joe Davis Dr. - Luckie Ave. 5:25 a.m. 6:40 a.m.Condor Rd. - Argos Rd. 5:30 a.m. 6:45 a.m.Condor Rd. - Rainbow Canyon 5:32 a.m. 6:47 a.m.Condor Rd. - Saddleback 5:35 a.m. 6:50 a.m.Agate Rd. - Desert Ave. 5:38 a.m. 6:53 a.m.Plant St. - Cactus Dr. 5:40 a.m. 6:55 a.m.De Valle - 3rd St. 5:45 a.m. 7 a.m.De Valle - 12th St. 5:50 a.m. 7:05 a.m.De Valle - 11th St. 5:55 a.m. 7:10 a.m.Griffin Rd. - 10th St. 6 a.m. 7:15 a.m.Brown Rd. - 7th St. 6:05 a.m. 7:20 a.m.Brown Rd. - 5th St. 6:07 a.m. 7:22 a.m.Brown Rd. - 3rd St. 6:08 a.m. 7:23 a.m.Brown Rd. - 1st St. 6:10 a.m. 7:25 a.m.

AAfftteerrnnoooonn RRoouuttee 11sstt RRuunn 22nndd RRuunn 33rrdd RRuunn

De Valle - 3rd St. 3:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m.De Valle - 12th St. 3:17 p.m. 4:32 p.m. 5:47 p.m.De Valle - 11th St. 3:20 p.m. 4:35 p.m. 5:50 p.m.Griffin Rd. - 10th St. 3:25 p.m. 4:40 p.m. 5:55 p.m.Brown Rd. - 7th St. 3:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 6 p.m.Brown Rd. - 5th St. 3:32 p.m. 4:47 p.m. 6:02 p.m.Brown Rd. - 3rd St. 3:35 p.m. 4:50 p.m. 6:05 p.m.Brown Rd. - 1st St. 3:38 p.m. 4:53 p.m. 6:08 p.m.Two Mile Rd. - Two Mile Rd. 3:40 p.m. 4:55 p.m. 6:10 p.m.Two Mile - Desert Knoll Ave. 3:45 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:15 p.m.Desert Knoll - Joe Davis Dr. 3:50 p.m. 5:05 p.m. 6:20 p.m.Joe Davis Dr. - Luckie Ave. 3:55 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 6:25 p.m.Condor Rd. - Argos Rd. 4 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m.Condor Rd. - Rainbow Cny. 4:05 p.m. 5:20 p.m. 6:35 p.m.Condor Rd. - Saddleback 4:07 p.m. 5:22 p.m. 6:37 p.m.Agate Rd. - Desert Ave. 4:08 p.m. 5:23 p.m. 6:38 p.m.Plant St. - Cactus Dr. 4:10 p.m. 5:25 p.m. 6:40 p.m.

The purpose of this program is to provide no cost transportation to and from workfor Marines and sailors residing in 801, Adobe Flats, Shadow Mountain, and PalmVista housing areas. The shuttle will run Monday through Friday during scheduledmorning and evening hours. Schedule of pick up and drop of times are listed above.

CCPPLL.. NNIICCOOLLEE AA.. LLAAVVIINNEECOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

CHICAGO – Marines withthe Combat Center Band areshowcasing their musical tal-ents to reach out to theChicago community duringthe 2009 Marine Week, whichstarted Monday and lastsuntil Sunday.

The Combat Center Bandwas selected as the only bandto represent the Marine Corpsduring Marine Week, which isa seven-day community out-reach event very similar to itsolder sibling, Fleet Week.

Since 1935, Fleet Week hasbeen a joint community out-reach effort by sailors, Marinesand Coast Guardsmen to edu-cate the public about the mili-tary through demonstrations,concerts and events, accordingto the Marines Corps TimesWeb site http://www.marinecorpstime.com.

Chief Warrant Officer 2Stephen Giove, the band offi-cer, said it was an honor to beselected for such a uniqueevent.

“Music is an internationallanguage,” Giove said aboutreaching out through music.“Everyone understands it. Ithink it brings out the patriot-ism and pride in who peoplefeel they are. For some, musicbrings back memories orhelps make memories.”

The band kicked off its firstevent by performing an open-ing for a Chicago proclamationceremony on Grande Ave., formilitary and city officials likeMaj. Gen. Melvin G. Speise,the commanding general ofthe Training and EducationCommand, and Richard M.Daley, the mayor of Chicago.

Tuesday, the CombatCenter’s “Big Band” or jazzband, kicked off their firstone-on-one communityevent by buttoning up theirdress blues uniforms andbusing their way toHighland High School inHighland, Ill., to put on ashow for the local students.

“I think you guys shouldcome here more often,” said17-year-old Mike Spevack, asenior at Highland HighSchool, who has decided toenlist in the Marine Corpsafter his senior year. “This is apretty liberal town and I thinkit could help raise awarenessabout the military in general.”

Wednesday, the wholeband made their way toBremen High School inMidlothian, Ill., for a duelclinic and concert. First, theband showed high schoolmusicians how they warm up,sight read and perform. Aftera concert was performed forthe students during schoolhours, the parents had theiropportunity to enjoy a con-cert of their own later thatnight.

Sgt. Andrew Newby, theassistant drum major,explained why interactingwith children and youngadults through music can

OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT MMAAYY 1155,, 22000099 AA33

A stone’s throw across the desert. Come, enjoy water

sports or just dip your tootsies in the cool waters on the

California shore of beautiful Lake Havasu.

• full hook up (30/50amp) • tent camping • dump station • laundry • full service market • full service marina with boat and jet ski rentals • passenger ferry to and from Lake Havasu City, AZ • Casino with a restaurant and lounge • 40% discount for weekday reservations (4 nights max) • always 40% discount for active military

From the desert cities, take 62 (Twenty-nine Palms Highway) to Vidal Junction and turn left on US 95. From the I-10 East, go north on 177, then northeast on 62, and turn north on US 95. At the

road billboard, turn right and go 17 miles or until you run into a huge puddle of water.

(760) 858-4593 x242/243 www.havasulanding.com

California’s

Best-Kept

Secret is...

An Enterprise of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe

Combat Center Band’s biggest gig this year

CCPPLL.. NNIICCOOLLEE AA.. LLAAVVIINNEE

Marines of the Combat Center Band performed a clinic with students and two concerts at Bremen High School inMidlothian, Ill., in honor of Marine Week Wednesday. Marine Week started Monday and will last to Sunday.


Cpl. Andrew Newby, the assistant drum major of the Combat Center Band and a trum-pet player, talks with some interested students at Highland High School in Highland,Ill., after a jazz concert Tuesday.

See BAND, A9

mission at hand, saidSandoval, an El Paso, Texasnative.

Marines are evaluated inthree lanes during the courseof the training. Each lanehas different environmentsand situations to help thesquad think quick on theirfeet and apply the bestoffensive tactics to each situ-ation, Cuevas said.

The first lane is focusedon terrain and was meant tobe physically exhausting,Sandoval said. The squadhad to move together asthey took over multiple sim-ulated enemy bunkers while

they maneuvered throughuneven, rocky terrain.

The second lane focuseson security patrolling wherethe enemy has the advan-tage of the terrain, Cuevassaid. The squad leader mustbreak down his fire teamsand decide what furtheraction is required accordingto the scenario.

The third lane consists ofa cross compartment dan-ger area. This is when theenemy has complete advan-tage of the terrain. This iswhere the Marine’s onlyavenue of approach isthrough a kill zone.

“The cross compartmentdanger area is the greatestchallenge of all,” Cuevassaid. “This could disrupttheir ability to maneuver.”

Each squad maneuversthrough one lane each day.They conduct dry runs andthen live-fire runs, both dayand night for each lane beforemoving on to the next.

“This has been challeng-ing,” said Cpl. James Flores,the squad leader for 1stSquad, 2nd Platoon, Co. G.“This is the first time mostof my squad has ever donea squad live-fire range. Forthis being their first time,they are doing better thanexpected.”

This training is vital forthe Marines to learn beforethey go into any combatenvironment so they canreact to the best of theirability in any situation.

“It creates squad cohe-sion and helps internalcommunication within thesquads,” said 2nd Lt. RyanAlt, the platoon command-er for first platoon,Company G. “If we havestrong squads, than we havea strong battalion.”


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7333 Apache Trail, Yucca Valley • 365-6967 • Military and Church Discounts Available

This Week’s Spotlight Church

56750 Mountain View Trail Yucca Valley • 365-6331

1st Service 9:30 AM w/Sunday School 2nd Service 11:00 AM w/Adult Bible Study

Bible Studies, Choir A Friendly and Loving Congregation!

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church

Sunday Bible Study 10 :00AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM Sunday Evening Worship 5:00PM Wednesday Bible Study 6:00PM

367-9400 FREE CHURCH RIDES

29 PALMS CHURCH OF CHRIS T 72309 Larrea Ave. (1 block up from KFC)

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST SUN. SERVICE & SUN. SCHOOL... 10 AM

WEDNESDAY MEETING ... 7 PM READING ROOM Tues.-Thurs. 12-3 PM

Sat. 9-Noon (Except Holidays) 56039 Santa Fe Trail • 365-4185

Corner Apache Trail, Yucca Valley

Church of Christ Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Worship 10:30 am 1:30 pm Ladies’ Bible Classes 11am Wed.

Wed. Bible Study 5pm 7021 Airway, Yucca Valley • 365-9215

OASIS COMMUNITY CHURCH 6631 Utah Trail, 29 Palms

Service Times Sunday 9:00 am, 11:00 am

Nursery provided at 9:00am & 11:00am 367-7812

www.oasiscommunitychurch.com

Yucca Valley 57273 Onaga Tr., 365-3671 The United Methodist Church

Sunday Classes for All Ages - 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM (Child Care Available)

Bible Study: Mon., 10:30 AM; Wed., 7:00 PM

(Missouri Synod)

WORSHIP SERVICE 9:00 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:30 AM

LIVING UNDER THE SON

59077 Yucca Trail, Yucca Valley CHURCH: 365-2548 Preschool & Daycare: 369-9590

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

JESUS HOUSE OF PRAYER Calvary Chapel Fellowship

Pastor Joey & Carol Joseph 6415 Outpost Road Joshua Tree

Sunday Services 9am, 10:30am & 6:00pm call (760)366-7420

Website: JHOPCC. ORG

Yucca Valley Church of Religious Science

Healing Lives & Building Dreams Reverend Ron Scott Sunday Celebration & Junior Church 10 AM

7434 Bannock Trail, Yucca Valley 365-2205

yvcrs.org

St. Martin-In-The-Fields EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Sunday School 10:00 am • Holy Eucharist 10:00 am Sunday Bible Study 9:00 am

We’re Here for Everyone Phone (760) 367-7133

72348 Larrea Road (2 blocks up from KFC), 29 Palms www.stmartinschurch29.org

DESERT CONGREGATIONAL CHURC H

Call for free van ride Sunday 10:00 A.M. - Worship Sunday School ages 4-10 yrs

Visitors Welcome Sunday Concert Series • Call for info

29 Palms • 5688 Sunrise Drive • 361-0086

St. Joseph of Arimathea Episcopal Church

God Loves You As If You Were His Only Child.

Holy Eucharist 10:00 A.M. Onaga at Church St., Y.V.

365-7133

United Methodist Church of Twentynine Palms

6250 Mesquite Springs Road Phone: 367-7338

Sunday School: 8:30 a.m. - Worship: 9:30 a.m. (Child Care Provided)

Pastor Beth Glass “open hearts, open minds, open doors”

Ready for a change? Check out

Same Jesus, Same Message, Different Attitude Worship with a coffee house atmosphere

Sundays 10:30 a.m. Located directly across from the JT Saloon on Hwy. 62 and

Center St. in the heart of Joshua Tree 366-8429 / [email protected]

First Baptist Church of 29 Palms Childcare Available

Sunday Services Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Services Prayer/Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

Young Married Couples Ministry 6:30 p.m. www.fbc29.org

6414 Split Rock Ave., 29 Palms, CA 760-367-7561

Join Us In

Worship

CCome Pray With Us jCome Pray With Us j

SUNDAY Bible School . . . . . . . . 9:30am Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:45am

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 365-4014

Sage

Pioneer Town

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Skyview Chapel Church of God

Worship Service 10:30 A.M & 6:30 P.M. Wed. Bible Study 6:30 P.M.

7475 Sunny Vista Rd., Joshua Tree Pastor Abe Casiano

Church (760) 366-9119

St. James Anglican Mission Invites all to come & study

“The History of the Christian Church”

For more information call 760-989-0006

OASIS COMMUNITY CHURCH 6631 Utah Trail, 29 Palms

Service Times Sunday 9:00 am, 11:00 am

Nursery provided at 9:00am & 11:00am 367-7812

www.oasiscommunitychurch.com

Compañerismo de Creyentes en Cristo

FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS IN CHRIST (meets at Little Church of the Desert)

6079 Adobe Road Twentynine Palms, California 92277

SUNDAY/DOMINGO: 1:00 P.M. Albert L. Perez, Pastor (760) 819-9669

E-mail: [email protected]

Spirit and Truth Worship Center S ervice Times:

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00

Perry L. Ford, Senior Pastor

(760) 361-2450 4751 Adobe Rd.

29 Palms, Ca. 92277 [email protected]

Ready for a change? Check out

Same Jesus, Same Message, Different Attitude Worship with a coffee house atmosphere

Sundays 10:30 a.m. Located directly across from the JT Saloon on Hwy. 62 and

Center St. in the heart of Joshua Tree 366-8429 / [email protected]

Military cracks down on identity theftCCPPLL.. MMAARRGGAARREETT CCLLAARRKKHHUUGGHHEESSCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Identity theft is a growingproblem across the country.Military members are a primetarget of identity theft due tothe accessibility of importantinformation, specifically theirSocial Security Numbersprinted on identificationcards, which are used on adaily basis.

The Undersecretary ofDefense for Personnel andReadiness Dr. David Churecently established a policy tohelp reduce the unnecessaryuse of SSNs throughout theDepartment of Defense byimplementing a plan to takethe numbers off CommonAccess Cards and dependentidentification cards.

According to Marine CorpsAdministrative Message0263/09 signed April 21, the

use of SSNs was to enable sys-tems and processes to transferinformation with a greatlyreduced chance of errors, butthe threat of identity theft hasrendered this an unsafe busi-ness practice.

“An estimated 10 CACcards a day have to be reissuedhere because they were lost,”said Carla Lanza, the site secu-rity manager for the base’sDefense Enrollment EligibilityReporting System office. “Dueto the large number of lost IDcards, [the change] will have apositive effect on controllingidentity theft.”

The plan to eliminate SSNsfrom the visual display andbarcodes of CAC anddependent identification cardsare broken into three phases,Lanza said.

Phase one is already inaffect, which replaced theprinted dependent SSN fromtheir identification cards with

nine “X’s.” The sponsor’sSSN will remain visible onthe card during phase one.

Phase two is scheduled tobegin by the end of 2009.The printed SSNs from allDoD ID cards will beremoved, with the exceptionof Geneva Conventionsidentification cards, whichwill retain the last four digitsof the SSN for GenevaConvention purposes.

Phase three will removeSSNs from barcodes on allcards and is scheduled to beginin 2012. There is currently noplan for removal from theIntegrated Circuit ChipContact Interface of the CAC.

The phases are a way for asmooth transition, Lanza said.The process is not a mass reis-suance; they will be reissuedthrough attrition only.

For more information onthe process contact theDEERS office at 830-5365.


Identity theft has become a growing problem throughout the country. Many criminalstarget military members because of their frequent use of their social security number.

2/7, from A1


Pfc. Charles Highley, an automatic rifleman with 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company G,2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, takes aim during a squad rush.


The Marine Special OperationsScreening Team will screenMarines aboard the CombatCenter June 3 for potentialassignments as combat skillsoperators.

Marine Corps SpecialOperations Command recent-ly expanded its recruitingguidelines, allowing maleMarines in every military occu-pational specialty to be poten-tial candidates for assignment,said Staff Sgt. XavisusGayden, the HeadquartersBattalion career retentionspecialist.

Marines stationed herewere pre-screened by MAR-SOC recruiting. Those thatmet the requirements havebeen directed to attend thescreening. For Marines whowere not flagged, they canstill complete a checklistand attend, Gayden said.

Although MARSOC isnow open to all MOSs,

only male corporals andabove are sought tobecome special operationsMarines. Lance corporalsare accepted in some cases.

MARSOC is only look-ing for high caliberMarines, Gayden said.

“He has to be one of theMarines that really wants to

do something continuouslychallenging,” Gayden said.“They should be welltrained, have a high-firstclass physical fitness test

and be enthused about it.”MARSOC is not only

looking for the bestMarines on paper, itshould also emanate fromtheir character.

“He doesn’t need to bragabout his abilities,” saidMaj. Matthew Ceradini, thecommand’s officer incharge of recruiting, while

describing the ideal candi-date in a recent news articlein Marine Corps Times.“He’s humble, but confi-dent. … These are peoplethat seek excellence ineverything they do.”

With a larger pool ofMarines to choose from,


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TOUGH MINDED OPTIMISM by Lou Gerhardt

“Now or Never” is the title of a new book by Jack Cafferty, popular CNN commentator. “The Cafferty File” is viewed by more than two million people every afternoon. He provokes thousands of emails each week and his blog receives more than three million hits a month.

While I found his book to be honest, frank, hopeful, and even inspiring that is not what I want to share with you. I want to write to you about Jack, the man.

Cafferty’s struggle to get his act together was a titanic one. Both of his parents were alcoholics and both of them virtually abandoned him and then each of them died a lonely and miserable death.

Cafferty, too, became an alcoholic at an early age. He lost job after job, destroyed two marriages, and was an extremely poor father to his daughters.

Then the miracle happened. Cafferty connected with his Higher Power and his life was immediately transformed. He stopped drinking. He stopped smoking. He became a thoughtful and caring father of his four daughters and established himself as a reliable and productive person.

That momentous moment in Cafferty’s life occurred more than 20 years ago. He has not had an alcoholic drink or smoked a cigarette since that day.

The Bible describes such a man. He gets into an apparently hopeless situation. He hits bottom. Then a miracle occurs. In a sudden flush of insight (The Bible says “He came to himself.”) he began a new life.

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MARSOC hits the ground in 29 Palms

CCPPLL.. RRIICCHHAARRDD BBLLUUMMEENNSSTTEEIINN

Commandos with a Dominican Republic counterterrorism unit rappel out of a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter at Ciudad Del Niño,Santo Domingo March 9. A team of Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, trained thecommandos as part of U.S. Southern Command, Special Operations Command-South’s Exercise Fused Response.

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. SSTTEEPPHHEENN CC.. BBEENNSSOONN

A Marine from 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces,Special Operations Command is the first to jump out into the sky as the rest of his teamwait to jump in line behind him. Marines and Sailors conducted jump operations to refinetheir capability at Reno, Nev., April 3.

See MARSOC, A7


Bicycles; a more costeffective way to patrolPPFFCC.. MMIICCHHAAEELL TT.. GGAAMMSSCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Eight Marines from theProvost Marshal’s Officetrained this week to con-duct mounted patrols onbicycles throughout theCombat Center.

The three-day program,which trains four officers ata time, will be an ongoingprocess to keep militarypolicemen on the streetsproviding community ori-ented policing.

Bicycle patrols allowMPs to be in closer con-tact with crowds duringlarge events and in hous-ing areas on base, saidJason Dickson, a civilianlaw enforcement officerand instructor for thecourse.

“This is a more cost-effective way to get policeinvolved in the communi-ty,” he said. “It also pro-vides yet another way forthe base to go green.”

Pvt. Gary Liles, a studentin the course, agreed, sayingmounted patrols offer lawenforcement agents moreoptions to go off road andbe able to get places vehi-

cles can not.The bicycle patrols are

also faster than a walkingpatrol, he added.

In order to provide theCombat Center with pro-fessional, capable bicycle-mounted MPs, studentswho participate in thecourse are given instruction

in proper handling of theirbicycles and ride a total of10 to 12 miles in a trainingday, Dickson said.

“By the time they gradu-ate the course, the riders aretrained to be able to handlethemselves professionallyon patrol,” he added. “Theylearn the tools to be able to

provide the communitywith another tool to providea safe place to work andlive.”

The newly graduatedbicycle MPs will be put tothe test as they work to pro-tect the crowd at Saturday’sWe Salute You Tour atVictory Field.

PPFFCC.. MMIICCHHAAEELL TT.. GGAAMMSS

A student in the Provost Marshal’s Office course to provide the Combat Center withbicycle mounted law enforcement agents, navigates through a series of cones as helearns how to maneuver his bicycle through crowds and around obstacles Monday.


Law enforcement agentswith the Provost Marshal’sOffice trained throughoutthe week to provide theCombat Center with bicy-cle mounted patrols.These patrols are morecost-effective than othermethods of patrolling andgive officers more optionswhen keeping the CombatCenter’s streets safe.

Girl Scouts stepup to next levelPPFFCC.. MMIICCHHAAEELL TT.. GGAAMMSSCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Sixteen Combat Center GirlScouts were promoted in anannual bridging ceremonyWednesday at the ProtestantChapel.

The ceremony was thefirst opportunity for thefour Girl Scout troops toget together, and promotesBrownie Girl Scouts toJunior Girl Scouts, JuniorGirl Scouts to Cadette GirlScouts and Cadette GirlScouts to Senior GirlScouts.

The ceremony kicked offwith Daisy Girl ScoutTroop 823 bringing in thecolors and leading the audi-ence in the Pledge ofAllegiance.

After that, the 11Brownie Girl Scouts werebrought on stage to receivetheir green sashes and thetitle of Junior Girl Scout.

Next, the 4 Junior GirlScouts were bridged toCadettes and the singleCadette, Morgan Young,was given the title SeniorGirl Scout.

After the colors wereretired, Melissa Young, thetroop leader for BrownieTroop 657, gave the closingremarks, saying the ceremo-ny recognizes all the hardwork the young ladies putinto the scout program.

“They set goals, and theyworked very hard to meetthese goals,” she said. “I’mso proud of each of them.”

Natasha Durrette, thetroop leader for BrownieTroop 618, agreed, sayingthat stepping up into thehigher levels of scoutingshows the girls their hardwork pays off.

“The girls do a lot ofcommunity service,” she


Samantha Burke, a Junior Girl Scout with troop 132,reads the symbolic meaning of one of the colors of can-dles that she lit during the ceremony at the ProtestantChapel where she and three other girls bridged toCadette Girl Scouts Wednesday.

See SCOUTS, A9


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Williams, a maintenancemanagement specialist withExercise Support Divisionand a native of Worthington,Ohio, chose to wear the vest.

“The vest still helps me

to feel safe,” Williams said.“The vest I have has placesfor me to put my licenseand other papers.”

Williams said he person-ally will continue to wear it,just because it gives himmore than what he needs in

terms of safety.“ATGATT [all the gear

all the time], it’s pretty sim-ple,” he said. “I think I’mbetter off having every-thing with me if I need it,so I’m going to keep wear-ing the vest.”

VEST, from A1


Some riders aboard the Combat Center have exercised their option to not wear theeflective vests seen on service members when riding their bikes on and off base.

the standards are going tobe even more rigorous thanbefore. The commandaccepts those with a first-class PFT, but according toCeradini, the average scoreis 279 for special opera-

tions Marines. To be com-petitive in the selectionprocess, Marines shouldmaintain a score of around280 or higher.

For those Marines pre-selected to attend thescreening next month andare serious about becoming

a “silent warrior,” Gaydensuggests bringing spousesto the screening and briefas well so they can obtaininformation about theprocess and what to expect.

For more information orto obtain a checklist contactGayden at 830-7242.

MARSOC, from A5



The deadline for submit-ting Trader ads is noonWednesday, for theupcoming Friday’s paper.Trader Ad Forms are available

at the Public Affairs Office andmay be filled out during normalworking hours at Bldg. 1417.

Ads may also be submittedthrough e-mail, but will only beaccepted from those with [email protected] address. If you areactive duty, retired military or afamily member and do not havean @usmc.mil address you cango to the PAO page of the base

Web site at: http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/dirs/pao/ andcomplete a request to publishan ad.

The limitations for ads are:15-word limit, limit of twoads per household and theTrader may be used only for

noncommercial classifiedads containing items of per-sonal property offered byand for individuals autho-rized to use this service.Such ads must representincidental exchanged not ofsustained business nature.

AAddss ffoorr hhoouussiinngg rreennttaallss wwiillllnnoott bbee ccoonnssiiddeerreedd ffoorr tthheeCCoommbbaatt CCeenntteerr TTrraaddeerr..

To have a “House For Sale”ad run in the ObservationPost, applicants must providePermanent Change of Stationorders and have the ad

approved by Base Housing.This ensures the Combat Cen-ter Trader is not used for com-mercial real estate endeavors.

Ads are run on a first-come,first-serve, space availablebasis. If you have questionsplease call 830-3762.

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be such a great influence.“I think we have to present

a good face for the MarineCorps to the public,” saidNewby. “The first and mostinfluential part of the public isthe youth. The best part aboutteaching them about music isthat they want to learn.”

The Marines continued tosplit into groups and performnumerous concerts and eventsacross the city throughout theweek.

Giove said although hehas been pleased thus farwith the band’s performanc-es, he feels the best is yet tocome.

“It’s still early in the week,but we have more work todo,” he said Wednesday. “Theculmination of Marine Weekwill crescendo to its max bySaturday and Sunday.”

The Band will performseveral concerts at Navy Pier, apopular and historical sight inChicago, at 8 p.m. Saturdayand 3 p.m. Sunday.


The Combat Center Band drum line wowed audience members at Bremen High School inMidlothian, Ill., during a free concert in honor of Marine Week Wednesday. Marine Week will fin-ish Sunday.

BAND, from A3

added. “It’s a great opportunity for them tohelp the community and make friends.”

Samantha Burke, a Cadette Girl Scoutwith troop 132, said she is very excited aboutbeing a cadette, it gives her a chance to domore as a Girl Scout.

“I really like being in the scouts,” she said.“Girl Scouts is fun and it gives me the chanceto try new things.”

The Girl Scouts of the Combat Centerlook forward to another fun year helping thecommunity and helping children have fun.

SCOUTS, from A6


The Brownie Girl Scouts of Troops 657 and618 bridged to Junior Girl Scouts in a cer-emony at the Protestant ChapelWednesday.

UAVs to gather informationto better inform troops on theground. 1st Tanks deployed toWestern Iraq where theydefended the borders onmounted patrols during thefirst half of their deploymentand dismounted to performfoot patrols during the secondhalf.

Both units were extremelysuccessful during their over-seas tours, with both unitsreturning every Marine andsailor home safely.

For most, waiting for theMarines’ arrival for a few morehours was but a drop in theocean compared to waiting forthem to return from theirdeployment.

Ron and Delores Hebron,the parents of Sgt.Christopher Hebron, animagery analyst with VMU-1, said their son didn’t knowthey were going to be at thehomecoming.

“We haven’t seen him sinceAugust and I am excited,” saidDelores before the Marinesreturned. “Being able to havehim home for Mother’s Day isunreal.”

She said while her son wasdeployed, it was intense forher. She said she was constant-ly hearing about people dyingin the news and she alwaysworried, but her faith helpedher get through the hard times.

Sgt. Hebron, an UpperMarlboro, Md., native, said hedidn’t think his parents evenknew he was stateside.

“I was very surprised whenI saw them standing there,” hesaid. “I didn’t think anyonewould be here, but it’s definite-ly good to see my familyagain.”

For some Marines, the sim-ple fact of putting on civilianclothes again was the best partof being home.

“The deployment wentvery well,” said Sgt. JonathanFrakes, a UAV mission com-mander with VMU-1 and aHenderson, Nev. native. “It’sgood to be home; I just wantto relax and get out of thesecammies.”

Lance Cpl. Eloy Lopez, anadministration clerk with 1stTanks, agreed, saying the onething he could not wait for wasa long, hot shower and spend-ing time with his wife, Regina.

Regina couldn’t hold backher excitement as she andEloy renewed their marriagevows later that day.

“Having him home meansso much to me,” she said. “Itmeans having my other halfback.”

After a period of wellearned rest and relaxation withtheir friends and families, thewarriors of VMU-1 and 1stTanks will begin training inpreparation for future deploy-ments overseas.


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SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

RETURN, from A1


Lance Cpl. Travis Williamson, a Marine with Company B,1st Tank Battalion, embraces his wife, Stephanie, anddaughter upon his return from a 7-month deployment insupport of Operation Iraqi Freedom May 7.

CCPPLL.. RR.. LLOOGGAANN KKYYLLEE

Sgt. Frank Blake, an imagery analyst with Marine Unmanned Aerial VehicleSquadron 1, is welcomed home by his girlfriend at the units hanger aboard theCombat Center May 7. VMU-1 spent 7 months in Al Asad, Iraq, where they sup-ported intelligence operations.

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PPFFCC.. MMIICCHHAAEELL TT.. GGAAMMSSCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

As the sun set over theCombat Center’s FelixField Tuesday, 44 feetpounded the turf fightingover a soccer ball as theyplayed pre-season games

for the CommandingGeneral’s IntramuralSoccer League season.

The regular-seasongames start Tuesday andwill be played on everyTuesday and Thursdayduring the two-monthseason.

Once the regular seasonis over, the six teams, fromRobert E. Bush NavalHospital, 1st TankBattalion, Marine WingSupport Squadron 374,Marine CorpsCommunications-Electronics School, 3rdCombat Engineer Battalionand HeadquartersBattalion, will participatein a double-eliminationtournament to decide thefinal standings and whowill be crowned the seasonchampions, said Skip Best,the athletic director withMarine Corps CommunityServices.

In prior years, therehave only been three orfour teams to sign up forintramural soccer due todeployments and otherobligations, he said.

“We’re very lucky tohave six teams this year,”he added. “It should giveus a great season of goodsoccer.”

Hansel Morrow, a mid-dle forward with Tanks’team, agreed, saying afterthey won their first prac-tice game 8-3, he looksforward to a good seasonand promised that 1stTanks would take it “allthe way” this year.

He also explained whatmade the game so fun forhim, saying, “It’s aggres-sive, and to play well youneed stamina and skill. Itlets you interact withMarines [and sailors]around the base.”

The league gives theplayers a unique chance tosocialize outside the work-place, said Terence Harrell,

MM aa rr ii nn ee CC oo rr pp ss AA ii rr GG rr oo uu nn dd CC oo mm bb aa tt CC ee nn tt ee rr

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May 15, 2009 Serving The Twentynine Palms Community Since 1957 B1

See SOCCER, B2

Aaron’s Exploits; end of an eraLLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. MM.. CC.. NNEERRLLCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Since he has finished hissightseeing and had manypersonal discoveries, alongwith some soul searching,Lance Cpl. AaronKristopik, a paralegal clerkwith the Combat Center’sStaff Judge Advocate and anative of New Britain,Conn., decided to take abreak from his journeysSaturday and focus onwhat he has learned, aftertraveling down the famousHistoric Route 66.

Kristopik journeyed upand down the historic road,taking in all the stuff hepassed by on a regular basisduring his journeys, just tosee what was going on outthere, he said.

“I’ve seen this stuff alot,” he said. “I’ve passedby it time and time again.

The thing is, I never reallynoticed any of it, except,maybe the shoe tree andsome other small stuff.

“This is kind of likewrapping up on a personallevel for me,” he said. “Iguess you could say it’stime to backtrack over itall.”

Kristopik said some ofthe stuff caught his eye,not because of what it was,but where it was.

“This stuff just pops upout of the desert at you,”he said. “The SaltEvaporation Plan, Roy’sCafe, all the Route 66 signspainted on the ground.You just don’t know whatto make of some of it.”

Kristopik said heremembered hearing amovie was being shot inAmboy, Calif., and wantedto check it out.

“I heard a friend one

day say he heard they wereshooting some kind ofmovie in Amboy,” he said.“I went there to good oldRoy’s Cafe, but apparentlythey’re done with it.

“There were still someprops there,” he said. “Areally old cop car and somecar they made look like ithad an accident. If I seethe movie when it comesout, I’m going to tell every-one I know about what Isaw, unless the moviesucks.

Kristopik said he finallywent on the long walk tosee the Amboy Crater, butgot tired and never went allthe way up.

“Too big, way too big,”he said about the climb up.“I was wearing sandals andate it face–first too manytimes. I got revenge on the


Joe Cavins, the second baseman for 29 Palms Varsity Softball Team attempts to complete a double-play against Camp Pendleton during the last match of the day May 9 at theCombat Center’s Felix Field. Both teams went into the final game for the evening with a 3-0 record.

29 Palms slides in an undefeated weekend


At the bottom of the sec-ond inning with only fiveinnings remaining for the29 Palms Varsity SoftballTeam to seal the deal foran undefeated weekendduring the MCI WestVarsity Softball LeagueMay 9 at the CombatCenter’s Felix Field.

The league is in its sixthyear running. It consists of

five teams, 29 Palms,Marine Corps Air StationMiramar, Marine CorpsRecruit Depot San Diego,Marine Corps Air StationYuma and Marine CorpsBase Camp Pendleton, saidSkip Best, the athleticdirector for Marine CorpsCommunity Services.Each team hosts a Saturdayevent at their installationand rotates games through-out the day so each teamcan play one another.

Going into the final

game of the evening, both29 Palms and CampPendleton had a 3-0 recordfor the day, 29 Palms takesto the field, while CampPendleton swings at thehome plate in the top ofthe first.

As bat after bat foundthe holes, Camp Pendletonbrought in six runs before29 Palms could get thefinal out. 29 Palms tiedthe game in the bottom,6-6, before going into thesecond.

29 Palms kicked thedefense up a notch in thesecond by allowing onlyone run in the top. Aftermoving to the plate withtwo men on the bags, MattMcCaskill, the first base-man for 29 Palms,slammed a big one out ofthe park and brought inthree runs. Next at bat,T.C. Gray, the catcher for29 Palms, walloped anotherball over the fence andhelped to bring the gameto 11-7 in the top of the

third.In the third, Camp

Pendleton added two moreruns to the board, but 29Palms continued to kill andadded four more runs,which brought the score to15-9.

Camp Pendleton gotshut down in the top ofthe fourth, three up, threedown, and gave 29 palmsanother advantage to pullahead even more in thebottom. As two moreplayers crossed the plate,

29 palms continued withthe lead, 17-9.

In the fifth both teamsplayed equally as hard, eachonly allowed two runs,which brought the score to19-11 before going into thelast two innings.

29 Palms allowed onerun to get through in thetop of the sixth, but CampPendleton fought backafter they caught three outsin four at-bats, which held


Lance Cpl. Aaron Kristopik, a paralegal clerk with the Combat Center’s Staff JudgeAdvocate and a native of New Britain, Conn., feels the hood of a vintage police carfrom a movie recently shot in Amboy, Calif., Saturday.

See EXPLOITS, B4


Hansel Morrow, the middle forward for 1st Tanks, pre-pares to blasts the ball into the goal during the first prac-tice game of the Commanding General’s IntramuralSoccer League Tuesday night at Felix Field.

Soccer season kicks off

See SOFTBALL, B4

NNEEIILL PPOONNDDAMERICAN PROFILE

Ghosts of Girlfriends PastStarring Matthew McConaughey& Jennifer GarnerRated PG-13

A womanizing cad is forcedto reconsider his wantonways in “Ghosts ofGirlfriends Past,” a roman-tic comedy that re-imaginesthe classic Charles Dickens’tale of “A Christmas Story”

with MatthewMcConaughey in theEbineezer Scrooge role as acelebrity photographer whocan’t keep his mind—or hishands—off the ladies.

Self-absorbed shutter-bug stud Conor Meadloves ‘em and leaves ‘em,sometimes in bulk. Early inthe movie, we watch as hebreaks up with threewomen at the same timevia videoconference, takinga brief time-out from hislatest half-undressed con-quest to do so.

Going back home to theposh family estate in RhodeIsland for the wedding ofhis younger brother, Conorgets drunk at the rehearsaldinner, gropes the motherof the bride (Ann Archer),tries to talk little bro’ out ofwalking down the aisle andmakes plans to bed the onebridesmaid that hasn’talready been between hissheets.

That evening, he’s visit-ed by a succession of spir-its representing his past,present and future to showhim the error of his wild-oats ways. One of the

ghosts is Uncle Wayne(Michael Douglas), thefamily playboy, who warmsConor about the emptyconsequences of lifelongpartying. Another specter

is an eternal ’80s teen (apeppy Emma Stone) whotransports Conor backthrough a gauntlet of for-mer girlfriends.

When all the spookin’ is

done, Conor realizes thathe really belongs in thearms of his childhoodsweetheart, Jenny, played by

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Angels & Demons (PG13)

Fri-Sun: 1:30, 6:00, 9:00 Mon-Thur: 2:00, 7:00

Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past (PG13)

Fri-Sun: 1:30, 6:30 Mon-Thur: 4:30

X- M en Origins: Wolverine (PG13)

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‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ neither very romantic, nor very funny

CCOOUURRTTEESSYY PPHHOOTTOO

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is a romantic comedy that doesn’t live up to the reputationof its stars. Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey don’t share any real chemistryso it becomes difficult to imagine them as a couple.

the coach for MCCES.This is a great

opportunity to get play-ers working together asa team and provides agood outlet for playerswith talent, he added.

Talent is just whatJose Hernandez, thecoach for the CombatCenter’s varsity soccerteam, said he is look-ing to find. He usesthe intramural leagueto scout for talentedplayers to add to thereigning two-yearchampion varsity team.

For the next twomonths, players andfans alike will be ableto enjoy watching thesun set over FelixField as the intramuralsoccer teams fight itout for the number-one spot.

SOCCER, from B1

STAY MARINE


Hansel Morrow, the middle forward for 1st Tanks, stretches to receive a pass from one ofhis teammates during Tuesday night’s first pre-season game of the Commanding General’sIntramural Soccer League season.

CCOOUURRTTEESSYY PPHHOOTTOO

A womanizer is forced to reconsider his rakish ways.

See MOVIE, B3

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Jennifer Garner.Despite

McConaughey’s natural fitfor lightweight fare, hisConor comes off as anemotionally stuntedsleazebag. He sells thatelement of his characterso well, in fact, that youcan’t believe he couldpossibly do a turn-around, no matter howmany spooks come out ofthe love closet to try tohocus-pocus him off hishedonistic path. And youwant to question the sani-ty of any woman, espe-cially Garner’s classy, pro-fessionally minded Jenny,who would ever think theslimy Conor would be acatch worth reeling in,much less keeping.

The biggest problem,though, is that this so-called “romantic comedy”is neither very romanticnor very funny. The gagsare predictable, unoriginaland sometimes just plaingross (like a torrential

downpour of used con-doms—yes, you read thatcorrectly). McConaugheyand Garner have no realchemistry; you neverunderstand why either oftheir characters would beattracted to the other.

This flawed fracturedfairy tale fails to scare upmany chuckles or muchcharm. As EbineezerScrooge himself mightsay, “Bah, humbug!”

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MOVIE, from B2

Stay Proud

Stay Marine


A player for 7th Marine Regiment’s Rippers takes off towardsecond base after his teammate cracked a hit into the out-field. The Rippers lost 6-0.


Matt Fleming, puts everything he has behind a swing during the Commanding General’sIntramural Softball League game Monday night at Felix Field. The Bandits dominated 7th MarineRegiment’s Rippers 6-0.


The Bandits’ Jesus Nunez prepares to slam the ball over his opponents, theRippers, during the Commanding General’s Intramural Softball League gameMonday night at Felix Field. The Bandits won 6-0.


Miguel Hernandez, the Bandits, slamsone into the outfield in their 6-0 shut outover the Rippers.

NNaammee:: Matt McCaskillAAggee:: 22JJoobb TTiittllee:: An armorerwith Combat LogisticsBattalion-7RReeccooggnniittiioonn:: Played fourgames with the 29 PalmsVarsity Softball TeamApril 9 ending the eveningwith four homeruns and a.765 batting average.MMaajjoorr ssppoorrtt aaccccoomm--pplliisshhmmeenntt:: A player onthe base’s 2007 intramuralchampionship team. Hehas won two homerunderbies in his MarineCorps career.FFaavvoorriittee ssppoorrtt aassppeecctt::“Mainly the competitionand hitting. But it’s funand it’s about having agood time.”AAddvviiccee ffoorr aassppiirriinngg aatthh--lleetteess:: “Practice, practice,practice.”

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crater for hurting me. I stolea rock as a souvenir, I knowit can’t think, but if it could,it would think twice beforemaking me fall next time.”

Kristopik said the triphelped him answer a lot ofquestions about himself, andalso about the desert. Hesaid he is going to takesome time to recover andtry to become a Marine

Security Guard to see moreof the world, not justSouthern California.

“I’ve learned from all ofthis that life is what youmake of it,” he said. “I’vemade use of my time at theCombat Center. Now, I wantto branch out, get a feel forthe rest of the Marine Corpsand the world.”

After taking a runthrough the desert, and sit-ting on the banks of crystal

clear water at the SaltEvaporation Plant, Kristopikcalled it quits, heading backto base for some sleep.

To visit all the placesKristopik has, take a left onAmboy Road after leavingthe Combat Center. FollowAmboy all the way toAmboy, Calif., and make aright onto Historic Route66, all the places visited arevisible while traveling downthe roads.

EXPLOITS, from B1


Lance Cpl. Aaron Kristopik, a paralegal clerk with the Combat Center’s Staff JudgeAdvocate and a native of New Britain, Conn., takes in the desert scenery around theSalt Evaporation Plant and their famous clear water Saturday off of Amboy Road.

29 Palms to their score,19-12.

The last inning endedrather quickly as 29 Palmsshut down CampPendleton and maintainedtheir undefeated 4-0record for the evening.McCaskill, Gray and JoelDominguez, the thirdbaseman for 29 Palms,

were the heavy hitters forthe games. McCaskillended the evening with a.765 batting average andfour homeruns.

“We played really wellas a team today,” saidDebra Sullivan, the 29Palms varsity softballcoach. “We have a greatcombination of young tal-ent and a few veteranplayers. We are becoming

a strong, competitiveteam.”

The varsity team’s cur-rent record is 5-3. Aftereach team has hosted aleague weekend, all teamswill all go to regional’s atCamp Pendleton, whereindividual players will getto show off their skillsand may get invited to theAll-Marine Softball Team,Sullivan said.

SOFTBALL, from B1


Chris Petty, the pitcher for 29 Palms Varsity Softball Team, prepares to release theball while pitching to the Camp Pendleton softball team during the last match ofthe day May 9 at the Combat Center’s Felix Field. 29 Palms went undefeated forthe evening with a 4-0 record.

Documents

May 15, 2009 Serving The Twentynine Palms Community …