Local Marine sees progress being made in Iraq

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Nov. 13, 2008) Ð Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Shoemaker, 29, from Mountain Home, Idaho, the technical control chief for Communications Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, stands in front of one of the main antennas that provides the base with digital communications. The dishes provide service members with on base telephone and internet capabilities to reach back to the United States. (Photo by Cpl. Tyler B. Barstow) [Click to enlarge]

When Kyle Shoemaker graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1997 there was nothing he wanted to do more than become a United States Marine.

"I wanted to do something positive for my country," he explained simply.

Today, Gunnery Sergeant Shoemaker, the son of Shedeki Shoemaker and Chamber Executive Director Debbie Shoemaker, is helping provide vital communications for the Marine Logistics Group in Iraq, assigned to Camp Taqaddum near Fallujah.

See the Mountain Home News for the complete story.