In the Service

Army Reserve Pfc. Kathleen Pesina, the daughter of Sandi and Greg Meehan of Howell, has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. The private, a military police member with two years of military service, is normally assigned to the 340th Military Police Company, Flushing, N.Y. She is a 2005 graduate of Howell High School.

Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Gerard T. Scapicchio, son of Janice and Gerard Scapicchio of the Morganville section of Marlboro, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May. During the eightweek training program, Scapicchio completed a training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, firefighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness. Scapicchio and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values— honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. Scapicchio will join 36,000 other men and women who comprise the Coast Guard's force. Scapicchio is a 2006 graduate of Marlboro High School.

Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel R. Thompson, son of Kimberly A. and Daniel W. Thompson of Freehold, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits physically and mentally.

Thompson and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m., by running 3 miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Thompson spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.

Thompson and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem and addressed as "Marines" for the first time in their careers.

Army Pvt. Steven D. Atkinson, a 2007 graduate of Colts Neck High School, has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Atkinson, a mechanic, is normally assigned to the 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas.