LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - Typically, Memorial Day is a day for everyone to celebrate and honor those who serve and served our country in the military services, but for students at Live Oak High School it is a day to look forward to their future. Many of the Live Oak High seniors have already sworn into the different branches of the military. Some seniors, like Paul Luna, have had their eyes set on the military since the beginning of high school.

Paul has attended a series of Sea Cadet trainings in his summers to prepare himself for his service in the Marine Corps. Sea Cadet Camps are programs for the youth that train young adults in survival situations and special operation programs. Each young man or woman that participates in these programs has to go through a boot camp similar to the one required for entrance into the military.

Mr. Luna describes his experience at a construction battalion camp where he learned welding and electrical practice which is practical for his future service in the military. “Field stripping, where I took apart and assembled weapons under a time crunch was by far the coolest thing,” said Luna. Mr. Luna is “ecstatic” about his upcoming and last Sea Cadet program before he commits himself to a six year contract in the Marines.

Others, like Alejandra Ibanez, chose the military as an alternative to school, “I chose the army for the benefits it had and I wanted to try it out instead of school first.” The army in particular provides total compensation as far as health care, food, and housing, providing young adults an opportunity to experience adulthood in a structured and safe environment.

So this Memorial Day, celebrate those who have battled for us, but also, celebrate the Live Oak High School seniors who will be doing so in the coming future.