In the Service

Army Pvt. Jamar L. Ousley, son of Cheryl Ivory of Howell, was recently deployed to Iraq. Ousley is a 2002 graduate of Freehold Borough High School. He is currently serving in the Army Reserves.

Coast Guard Seaman Recruit Matthew F. Varites, son of Susan M. Varites of Toms River and Frank B. Varites of Lakewood, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May. During the eight-week training program, Varites completed a training curriculum consisting of classroom academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness. Varites and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard’s three core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. Varites will join 36,000 other men and women who are the Coast Guard’s force.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Stephen G. Lanham, son of Annette B. and Wayne E. Lanham of New Egypt, and Marine Corps Cpl. Stephen M. Gronsky, son of Kathleen Kennedy of Howell and Stephen F. Gronsky of Castle Rock, Colo., both recently participated in the seizure of an estimated 2,800 pounds of hashish with an estimated value of $11 million after intercepting a small Arabian sea vessel in the North Arabian Sea, while assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), homebased in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. MEUs are composed of more than 2,000 personnel and are divided into an infantry battalion, aircraft squadron, support group and command element. With this combination, the unit supplies and sustains itself for quick mission accomplishment and for clearing the way for follow-on forces.

Lanham is a 2002 graduate of Allentown High School, Allentown. He joined the Marine Corps in July 2002.

Gronsky is a 1997 graduate of Franklin High School, Somerset. He joined the Marine Corps in June 1999.

For more information on the deployment and high resolution photographs, visit the 13th MEU Internet Web site at www.13meu.usmc.mil.