In Uniform

Mill Creek/Bothell

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Wesley M. Van Skaik, son of Mary and Michael Van Skaik of Bothell, along with more than 2,100 Marines and Sailors assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), has been working in Najaf, Iraq to restore schools, hospitals, roads and bridges. Van Skaik is a 2002 graduate of Henry M. Jackson High School and joined the Marine Corps in June 2002.

Edmonds

Air Force Airman 1st Class Candace E. Yi has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Yi, daughter of James Yi of Edmonds, is a 2001 graduate of Kamiak High School in Mukilteo.

Lynnwood

Thomas G. Pierce has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis in Tacoma. Pierce, son of Douglas and Patricia Pierce of Edmonds, is a 2001 graduate of Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood.

Marine Corps Cpl. Brian R. Buckingham, son of Ardes Flory of Lynnwood, recently deployed to Iraq while stationed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268), homebased at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Buckingham’s unit will take over the casualty evacuation mission for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Buckingham is a 1996 graduate of Mountlake Terrace High School and joined the Marine Corps in November 2001.

Shoreline

Navy Reserve Seaman Angela M. Fernandez, daughter of Nicole Appel of Everett and Javier Fernandez of Shoreline, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Fernandez is a 1990 graduate of Shorewood High School. She is a 1995 graduate of the University of Washington.