SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Major Aurello Garcia, senior naval science instructor at Shelby County High School, was the guest speaker at the December meetings of the David Lindsay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Major Garcia, United States Marine Corp, was subject to Presidential Involuntary Activation and was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in September 2005.

During his prior active duty he served as Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Office for Japan, Hawaii and South Korea. This background was a primary reason why the Pentagon decided to recall him and stationed him in Iraq.

In Iraq, his assignment was to recruit and train 2000 men for the police force in Fallujah. One of the most difficult problems was determining which recruits were insurgents and which ones really want to serve their country as policemen.

He told several stories about the six months he spent there and provided his thoughts about the future course of the war in Iraq.

Major Garcia is to be commended for his active military service to our country and for the important work he is presently performing with the youth in the community, said the daughters.

Lynne Lucas and Adelle Simpson provided holiday refreshments after the presentation, and Major Garcia continued to share information about his experiences with the members.