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Veterans share stories with Fremont students

Submitted by Fremont School District 79

Fremont Middle School students in Mundelein enjoyed stories by two veterans in honor of Veterans Day, one of whom attended school there.

Navy Hospital Corpsman First Class Antonio Saenz and Marine Sgt. Ian Ward spoke of their tours of duty in Afghanistan. Later, Sgt. Ward, 26, spoke of his years attending Fremont Middle School and Mundelein High School before deciding to join the Marines. The school's band and vocal group performed patriotic songs.

"I wanted to be a police officer, so I took criminal justice classes at Illinois State University before I decided to join the Marines," Sgt. Ward said.

After fulfilling his four-year duty he returned to college, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He is now applying to police academies.

He said his experience in the military taught him leadership and gave him lifelong friends that he cherishes. Another lifelong friend Sgt. Ward adopted was 8-year-old Corporal Miley, a black Labrador retriever.

Corporal Miley served with Sgt. Ward at Twentynine Palms in California and later followed him to Sangin in Afghanistan. When the infantryman went out on patrol, Corporal Miley trotted along beside him. At night the Lab slept on the ground beside his mat.

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