MARINES GET LOCAL SUPPORT.Byline: CONNIE LLANOS llanos (yä`nōs), Spanish American term for prairies, specifically those of the Orinoco River basin of N South America, in Venezuela and E Colombia. Staff Writer STEVENSON RANCH Stevenson Ranch, California (in the 91381 ZIP Code) is a Los Angeles County, USA, unincorporated community west of Santa Clarita a few miles south of Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park. The Stevenson Ranch fountain was redone in 2007. -- For Kathy Cooper, every day without her son is a struggle. The Australian-born mother of four spends her days tending to the wounds of students at West Ranch High School West Ranch High School is a public high school in the community of Stevenson Ranch, Los Angeles County, California. Mr. Bob Vincent has been the school's principal ever since it opened in 2004. as a health assistant in the office, and her nights hoping that her son, Marine Cpl. Markus Cooper, dodges wounds in the front lines of the Iraq war Iraq War: see under Persian Gulf Wars. Iraq War or Second Persian Gulf War Brief conflict in 2003 between Iraq and a combined force of troops largely from the U.S. and Great Britain; and a subsequent U.S. . All she wants is ``that he lives through this in one piece, physically and mentally.'' Cooper, like thousands of other mothers, is suffering through one of the deadliest months of the Iraq war. The number of service men and women on the front lines continues to grow -- as do the casualties. As of Friday, 73 Americans had died in October, the highest monthly toll in four years. The number of soldiers lost in the war climbed to 2,787. Hearing this news is troubling for Cooper, who hasn't been able to talk to her son in two weeks. ``That is the hardest part, not hearing from him, not knowing,'' she said. What she can count on is the support of her school. Co-workers, students and parents have ``adopted'' Markus and his entire unit. Collecting everything from Twinkies to pimple pimple, small pointed elevation of the skin that may or may not contain pus. The formation of pimples is frequently associated with infection, irritation, or overactivity of the sebaceous and sweat glands. Repeated eruptions of pimples are often termed acne. cream, the West Ranch ranch, large farm devoted chiefly to raising and breeding cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. The cattle ranch was introduced from Latin America to Texas and the plains of the W United States and Canada. community is fulfilling the wish lists written by the 14 young men. The school is planning at least three shipments to the adopted unit through the end of the year. Sarah Ehrman, a West Ranch history teacher, said the program is helping connect her students to the war's heroes. Ehrman was looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a way to teach her students about Veterans Day when she learned Cooper's son was returning to Iraq. She quickly asked Kathy to find out what Markus and his unit needed, and began collecting a few requested items. At the top of the list are 14 Polar-Tek blankets and gloves, specially designed for extreme cold weather and made of lightweight material. Ehrman's hoping the manufacturer will donate the goods. One item hit home for the students -- the request for pimple cream. ``How old do you guys think these guys are?'' she asked her class. Mary Walsh
Walsh had a difficult childhood with alcoholic parents. , director of the campus career center, spread the news to the community and now the school has collected 25 boxes of donations. ``We all just hope that (the soldiers) know they are loved and thought of and that we appreciate what they are doing, it is the least we can do,'' Walsh said. ``The generosity has been way over the top; it would bring tears to your eyes,'' said Pat Oakley, the school's Regional Occupational Programs adviser. The first shipment, about 20 boxes, will go out on Monday. All shipping costs were donated do·nate v. do·nat·ed, do·nat·ing, do·nates v.tr. To present as a gift to a fund or cause; contribute. v.intr. To make a contribution to a fund or cause. by Principal Bob Vincent. Vincent, who was reluctant to publicize pub·li·cize tr.v. pub·li·cized, pub·li·ciz·ing, pub·li·ciz·es To give publicity to. publicize or -cise Verb [-cizing, -cized] his donation, is happy to see the community come together for a good cause. ``I think it's great that the West Ranch community, parents, students, and staff, have come together and are trying to make a difference for our troops serving our country.'' A second shipment will be sent out in mid-November, and a holiday shipment will reach the boys in December. Vincent said he just received an anonymous donation of $500 from a parent to go toward future shipping costs and any items that may be needed. ``This whole project of collecting supplies and food will bring a piece of home to these kids,'' Vincent said. < It's important, he said, to remember the human aspect of war. ``It personalizes the war in Iraq with people from our own community, and people want to support when they can tie it to one person.'' connie.llanos(at)dailynews.com (661) 257-5254 |
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