Atlas Twp.-Since his graduation from Goodrich High School in 2003, Thomas ‘Jake? Sanford, has been a Marine on the move’from a stint in Okinawa, Japan, to earning honors on the rifle range, to achieving the rank of sergeant’Jake’s military career has been stellar.
Now the 22-year-old Atlas native is faced with an even greater challenge.
Later this year, Jake, a wrecker driver who assists in the recovery of damaged vehicles, will join his Marine combat battalion and serve in Fallujah, Iraq.
‘I’m excited to go,? said Sanford during a gathering at his home Aug. 17. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing the culture and the people of Iraq. I’ll return with the real news of the situation. There are many changes we are making in the Middle East’we are making progress. The citizens of Iraq are beginning to step up.?
Jake’s service to the country follows an uncle, also in the Marines, and a grandfather who served in the Navy during WWII.
‘He’s a homegrown kid who misses his family when he’s gone,? said Jake’s father, Thomas Sanford. ‘Jake’s going voluntarily’and plans on returning to this community when his service is over. We are very proud of him.?