| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010 11:11 am |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Local News 
|
|||||||||||||||
9/11 attacks were turning point in young man's life MUKILTEO — Chris Yeakel was 17 when he signed his life over to the United States government.He enlisted in the U.S. Marines in May, at the end of his junior year at Kamiak High School. His reason was simple. He felt called to serve. “Everybody wants to be recognized for something, and everybody wants to be a hero,” Chris said. “And I just felt that was my way I could be a hero, to just be a normal person and just help all the people I can.” In some respects, he came to that realization because of Sept. 11, 2001, which marks its eighth anniversary today. Chris was in fourth grade in 2001. He walked into his parents' bedroom that morning. The news was on. “I remember it pretty clear,” said Chris, now 18 and a senior. “I looked on the TV — it was what, 8 or 9 o'clock? — and I see a building on fire.” The terrorist strikes killed more than 2,900 and led the U.S. into two wars that have spanned Chris' adolescence. His father, Bob Yeakel, called Sept. 11 itself a “center point” in his son's life. “My impression is that never dissipated with Chris, that whole event, and the patriotism, getting the flag out,” he said. “He's the one that's continued to encourage us to fly our flag.” Chris said he started seriously considering enlistment when he was a teenager. His grandfather, Bill Yeakel, had served as a Marine drill instructor during the Korean War. The branch's toughness appealed to Chris, a wide receiver on Kamiak's football team. He visited a recruiter, who invited him to attend weekend workouts. Those also appealed to Chris, who prefers running laps to reading books. “I like school and all, but I don't want to go through more and more school, homework stress and whatnot,” he said this Wednesday. “I'd rather do more physical stress, have adventures.” He decided to enlist shortly after his grandfather died during his sophomore year. To prepare, he kept exercising. His shoulders broadened. His grip strengthened. Football became “a piece of cake,” he said. He wrote “USMC” in small print above his bed. Chris officially enlisted on May 16, 2009. He signed his name “at least 100 times” over the course of two days. He went through physical and mental exams. He was vetted by gunnery sergeants. Finally, he was approved. “It was exciting,” he said. He isn't alone in the experience. The Marines have met or exceeded their enlistment goals in the Seattle area since 9/11, according to Staff Sgt. Virgil Richardson, a marketing director for the branch. Nationwide, enlistment has also held fairly strong. The military was on pace this spring to meet its recruitment goal of 180,000 people, according to the American Forces Press Service. Chris' parents weren't surprised their son was among those enlistees. While neither served in the military, both realized their son had his reasons for attending the Marine workouts. “He's very focused and very passionate about serving the country,” said Charlene Yeakel. “He's very patriotic. You hate to throw that word around, but he is.” Chris expects his senior year will be a breeze. And then? Well, a month after graduation, he heads to California for 13 weeks of boot camp. “I'll be waking up early every morning, really, really working my butt off, getting yelled at every day, not going to bed when I want, not doing what I want, not even being recognized as a person anymore, being a recruit instead,” he said. He plans to join the infantry. Then he suspects he will be sent overseas. “I'm excited to serve,” he said. “Scared for war, though.” He is braced for hot days and cold nights in Afghanistan, one possible deployment. He said he doesn't want to kill, but if someone points a gun at him, he will shoot. “I'll remember I'm doing it for my country, and my family, and all my friends' families, and everybody that lives here.” Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com Sept. 11 events People around Snohomish County and Camano Island are planning events to mark today's anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Firefighters in north Snohomish County and Camano Island plan to gather for a memorial at 11 a.m. today at the Stanwood Fire Station, 8117 267th St. NW. Snohomish County Fire District 1 stations plan to hold a ceremony beginning at 6:55 a.m. today, gathering at the flagpole at each of the district stations to observe a moment of silence. The Stanwood-Camano Ministerial Association plans to conduct a 24-hour prayer vigil for peace beginning at 12:01 a.m. today in the yurt at Josephine Sunset Home, 9901 272nd Place NW, Stanwood. Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at state buildings be lowered to half-staff today. Naval Station Everett plans to hold a short remembrance ceremony at 8 a.m. today. Capt. Thomas Mascolo, the base's commanding officer, plans to speak. The event is not open to the public. |
- Alcohol, marijuana cited in fatal wrong-way crash
- Told there's no buyer for pea crop, farmers adjust
- Bill passes making cell phones, texting while driving primary offense
- Suspect in boy’s death on the run
- Everett courts water-bottling company
- Lundeen Parkway in Lakes Stevens to close
- Wanted: Downtown Everett renters
- Breaking news: Child murder suspect Fryberg in custody
- State restricts BPA, including in baby bottles
- Charges filed against former Snohomish County planning director
- Bill passes making cell phones, texting while driving primary offense
(51) - Alcohol, marijuana cited in fatal wrong-way crash (35)
- Everett courts water-bottling company (34)
- Wanted: Downtown Everett renters (16)
- Cut through solid-white lines and it could cost you $411 (11)
- Suspect in boy’s death on the run (11)
- Breaking news: Child murder suspect Fryberg in custody (9)
- Air Force tanker decision favoring Boeing isn’t free trade, British and French say (8)
- Murder suspect James Fryberg back in custody (8)
- Told there's no buyer for pea crop, farmers adjust (8)
- Yelm ousts Lynnwood girls, 54-51
- Meadowdale boys take aim at fifth place
- Archbishop Murphy girls keep vow to win
- Meadowdale boys refuse to fold, but rally falls short in 3A state opener
- Prairie’s zone defense stymies Lynnwood at Class 3A state girls basketball tournament
- Ellensburg takes it to Archbishop Murphy girls at 2A tourney
- Beyond the ‘Woodstock Generation'
- Magical run for Jackson
- Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force
- New CEO at Valley General Hospital
- Dan Koffman's ‘TopSpin' marketing astounds, inspires, motivates, produces — just for starters
- Economic forecasts for Snohomish County, Everett, Marysville offer some bright moments
- Government officials influencing home prices
- Massive EPA energy regulations meet challenge
- Washington state healthcare reforms also needed
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|
COMMENTS | Be the first to comment
Log in or register to post a new comment.
To read other terms and conditions, click here