Carson City teenagers Wesley Falconer, Cody Stokes, Tyler Hughes, Kirk Beltrami and Anthony Sainz were among 20 Northern Nevada youngsters 14 to 16 who completed the 2003 Devil Pups encampment at Marine Corps Base Camp at Pendleton, Calif.
After 10 days of rigorous training each of our Devil Pups received a physical fitness achievement award and a citizenship award during a Marine Corps style graduation and review.
Cori Reeves of Elko and Zechariah Southfield of Fallon won additional awards for leadership and outstanding physical achievement. Reeves scored 400 points from a possible of 400 and Southfield scored 388.
While at Camp Pendleton they learned to march, ran an obstacle course numerous times, and participated in abandon ship drills by jumping from a three-story tower into a pool, plus hours of other Marine style training.
Other teenagers in the Devil Pups were Kenny Little of Hawthorne, Mikki Beuchax, Justin Speed, Leland Shamlian of Fallon, Laura Stewart of South Lake Tahoe, Alex Stanley of Gardnerville, Matthew McMaster of Stateline, and Cameron Niel, Steven Frankfurt, Alex Davis, David Wolfson, Tanner Wolfson, and Jeff Wolfson of Reno. Casey Frankfurt and Marvin Smith, who became Devil Pups last year, served as drill instructor assistants.
The cost for each candidate to attend an encampment is $325 but there is no cost to the candidates and their parents or guardians. The 2003 encampment was made possible through the Battle Born, Silver State and High Desert Detachments of the Marine Corps League, The Silver State Auxiliary, Department of Nevada Marine Corps League, Northern Nevada Devil Dogs, Jack McCleod, GunnerySgt. Gene Ewing, Gunnery Sgt. Arthur Bennett, Brian and Deborah Southerland, Robert Lynch, Local Union 1119 Boeing Employees, Louis and Skip Carrica of Fallon Glass, Harold Holder of Sharkey's Casino, Robert D. Stewart, Mark and Gail Falconer, CWO3 Dave Wyble and Ethel Hutchings.
Transportation was provided by Ruth Canfield of Carson City and Naval Air Station Fallon. Sgt. Maj. Wayne Baker, Sgt. E.D. Carney and Kay Benscoter served as screeners and testers.