By Marine Corps Pvt. Miguel A. Ochoa, a 2001 graduate of Los Altos High School, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. At the completion of training, Ochoa and fellow recruits were presented the Marine Corps Emblem.

Marine Corps Cpl. Jose D. Arroyolligo, a 1997 graduate of Los Altos High School, recently completed a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf in support of operation Enduring Freedom while assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, home based at Camp Pendleton. Marines from his unit conducted offensive raids against Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan.

Additionally, his unit worked 18 days to complete humanitarian and civic projects in six different coastal areas of Kenya. They replaced a foot bridge, built a two-classroom school building, created a water source for the Gongoni Maternity Wing in the District of Malindi and performed carpentry work on a school for the deaf in Kilifi.

Branden Heaps, son of Cliff and Kathy Heaps of Los Altos, graduated from the 37th Fire Academy on May 30, 2002 at the Butte Training Center. He is currently working as a firefighter for the California Department of Forestry.

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