Stars and Stripes go to camp

LOWELL | With summer in full swing, the sea cadets of the Stars and Stripes Division are preparing to ship off to recruit training and advanced training.

The Stars and Stripes, formerly of Crown Point, recently relocated to Lowell due to their growing

enrollment. The Tri-Creek School Corporation administration building on Oakley Avenue is the new home for the cadets. Stars and Stripes currently has 25 cadets on its roster and are currently accepting applications for new membership.

The Sea Cadets are a nonprofit youth organization led by Lieutenant Junior Grade

Kathleen Simko of Lowell. The mission of the Sea Cadets is to train young people through hands-on experiences in U.S. Navy traditions, customs and courtesies, first aid, military drill, seamanship and team building among other topics.

Recently, several cadets and officers returned from Fleet Week in New York City, where they spent four days on the USS Iwo Jima (LHD). The cadets worked alongside 1,300 Marines and 1,500 sailors. Fleet Week is a Navy tradition and, for the second time, Sea Cadets from around the country were invited to participate while a number of U.S. Navy ships were in port.

This was a unique opportunity for the cadets to eat and sleep side by side with Navy sailors and Marines, Simko said. The cadets were able to spend time on the bridge learning navigation skills, as well as learning hand to hand combat techniques with the Marines.

The cadets were surprised at how friendly and willing the sailors and Marines were to spend time with the cadets, telling them stories, answering questions and giving them advice, said Simko.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Canete, of Lowell, stated that he got the same advice from everyone he spoke with. "They told me that if I want to be a Marine, whatever I put into it is what I will get back, (and) if I work hard, I can achieve my goals," Canete said.

WELCOME ABOARD

The Stars and Stripes Division of the Sea Cadets will be having a Welcome Aboard meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Tri-Creek School Corporation administration building, 195 W. Oakley Ave., Lowell

Any young person between the ages of 11 and 17 who has an interest in the military, likes a challenge, enjoys being apart of a winning team and is highly motivated, is welcome to attend. out Visit www.nwiseacadets.net or call (219) 688-2037 for more information.