Cadets up early to clean creek

While many teens slept in Saturday, members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets got up early to clean up Lincolnshire Creek.

Cadets from Division 911 of the Great Lakes Naval Station youth group cleared and burned branches and trash from the creek's storm drainage system in a project directed by the Lincolnshire Public Works Department.

Colin Daniels, 14, a freshman at New Trier High School, said he enjoyed the work. He also didn't mind getting up early.

"I'm a natural early riser, and this program has given me more experience than most kids my age," he said. "It provides a lot of training and opportunities for service."

Sea Cadet Cody Wax, a junior at Highland Park High School, plans to join the Marines one day.

"I've learned a lot, including drilling, courtesy and advanced training," Wax said. "I've enjoyed the opportunity to participate in war games, as well as community service."

The cleanup will help prevent flooding in the area, said Lincolnshire Mayor Brett Blomberg, Division 911 commanding officer.

The cadets take Navy courses and learn life lessons, he said.

"It teaches core values like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, but has spiffier uniforms and bigger toys. It's the Navy's best kept secret," Blomberg said.

Created in the early 1960s, the program teaches values, discipline, order and teamwork, said James George, a Wilmette resident who is a Sea Cadet instructor and a retired Navy lieutenant.

George is well acquainted with Sea Cadets because he served as a cadet when the program first started.

"This program has been around a long time, and it's a great program. Those who join typically have an interest in the military," he said.

Cadets, ages 11 through high school, are from Lake County, southern Wisconsin, McHenry County and northern Cook County. The group currently has 29 members who meet monthly from September through May.