By Elizabeth Lowe
Staff writer
Atlas Twp. – While those at home celebrate freedom, Pvt. Ryan Lopez, 18, prepares to fight for it.
A member of Goodrich High School’s Class of 2005, Ryan knew he would miss his own graduation ceremony when he left June 5 for San Diego and U.S. Marine Corps training.
‘He signed up as soon as he turned 17,? said his mother, Florence Lopez of Atlas Township.
Ryan planned his departure around last year’s GHS graduation date. He tried to make changes when he found his class would graduate June 12, but a later enlistment would have meant missing out on a job in logistics, Florence said.
Ever since Ryan could talk, he wanted to be a Marine like his dad, Richard Lopez, a Marine corporal who served a tour of duty in the Far EAst from 1974 to 1977, ‘the tail end of Vietnam,? said Richard.
‘He always used to get his dad’s dress blue jacket out and put it on,? said Florence.
‘I’m going to have one of my own someday,? he’d tell her.
The Goodrich grad grew up in Atlas Township loving the outdoors. He ran track in school, but hunting and fishing were his passions.
With an American and U.S. Marine Corps flag waving in the front yard, the Lopez family shows support for Ryan’s military enlistment despite political unrest in the world.
‘We need people like him,? said his mom.
‘I don’t necessarily agree with how things are going, but it’s his life, it’s something he wanted to do, and I’m proud of him.?
‘Freedom isn’t free,? says Richard. ‘It’s time that our young men of America step up when our country’s calling upon us.?
His family didn’t receive word from Ryan until two weeks after he left, and it will be a while before he can call, but he’s writing now.
The physical training for Marines is ‘something else,? says Richard.
‘But he’s a tough kid,? said Florence, who’s feeling a ‘whole lot better? after getting her son’s letters, which the family is saving.
Ryan’s most recent correspondence exudes confidence when it comes to keeping pace with seasoned troops.
‘I’m running with the rabbits now,? he wrote.