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Pvt. John A. Gonzales, a new Marine with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, graduates from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego (MCRDSD), May 8, 2020. Gonzales, from D’Hanis, Texas, was recruited from RSS Westlakes, San Antonio, by Sgt. Brad Sandahl to serve as an aviation mechanics Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Grace J. Kindred)
Two days before Gonzales shipped to MCRDSD, his mother, Lynda Oranday, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Gonzales was offered a delayed ship date, but he denied the offer and shipped as scheduled to MCRDSD, Feb. 10, 2020. He continued to train for the title “United States Marine” in honor of his mother.
“That’s what pushed me through, knowing that it would make her proud, and that’s what she would want,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales said his platoon supported and motivated him to the end, and they were there for him on his hardest days.
“They’d get me back up and we’d keep going,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales completed every challenge that Marine Corps recruit training provided, as well as his own, personal challenges. Marines like Gonzales, who persevere through hardships, and use their challenges to grow, are what make the Marine Corps.
“My biggest thing was, she always told me ‘you’re my little Marine,’ but I knew the title was never given, it was earned,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales will continue his training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 11, 2020.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2020 15:25 |
| Photo ID: | 6203838 |
| VIRIN: | 200508-M-CI314-1037 |
| Resolution: | 4404x2936 |
| Size: | 4.82 MB |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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