Army Reserve Pfc. Christopher R. Norton has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the son of Donna and stepson of Robert G. Mitzelman of Freehold. Mission objectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodes assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq. Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy. Norton, a military police officer with three years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 812th Military Police Company, Orangeburg, N.Y. He is a 2004 graduate of Freehold Township High School.
Marine Corps Pfc. Alexander D. Macklin, son of Julie L. And Dennis L. Macklin of Manalapan, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Macklin and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m. by running 3 miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Macklin spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. The recruits performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training. Instruction was also received on the Marine Corps’ core values – honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. Macklin and fellow recruits ended the training phase with the Crucible, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.