Watsonville soldier dies in Afghanistan - By Julie Copeland - Sentinel staff writer - June 14, 2006
Hi _Your Shield_!
The article states Cpl. Bernard P. Corpuz and his high school physical education teacher often passed the Moss Landing site where USAKIA has its memorial events for the last year now. Our second annual Labor Day Weekend remembrance of U.S. KIAs will be this September.
http://santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/June/14/local/stories/01local.htm
Regards
USAKIA
___________________________________________________
June 14, 2006
Watsonville soldier dies in Afghanistan
By Julie Copeland
Sentinel staff writer
WATSONVILLE - Dedicated. Hard working. A great athlete. And a respectful young man.
That's how friends of Cpl. Bernard P. Corpuz described the Watsonville soldier who died Sunday in Ghanzi, Afghanistan.
The Fort Hood, Texas, soldier died when his convoy came under small arms fire and an improvised explosive device went off, according to the Defense Department. Corpuz, 28, was assigned to the 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 504th Military Intelligence Brigade.
Corpuz attended Palma High School in Salinas, graduating in 1995.
His parents could not be reached, but many at Palma remember Corpuz.
John Devine, who was an assistant track coach at Palma, described Corpuz as "a very dedicated kid with track. ... He made himself a good athlete by working harder."
Devine remembers Corpus loved heavy metal music and wore his hair a little longer than was the norm at Palma, a private Catholic high school. By the time he was a senior he was beating all the jocks when it came to the track.
Corpuz earned the Tony Teresa Memorial Scholarship to attend Hartnell College in Salinas where he ran the 400 intermediate hurdles before transferring to the University of La Verne in Southern California.
Brother Patrick Dunne, principal at Palma, was shocked to learn of Corpuz's death, saying it's a first for the school.
"He was a very nice young man, always eager to please, a pretty wholesome kid," Dunne said. "Everyone was very impressed with his attitude and his performance."
Former Palma track coach Jim Scattini said he kept in touch with Corpuz and last saw him about nine months ago when he was home.
"He was extremely dedicated and loyal to the team," Scattini said. "He made himself into a very accomplished athlete and then took it into Hartnell at the junior college level and college at La Verne."
He excelled in the 400 meters but could run all the sprints.
"The fact that he joined the armed services wasn't a surprise to anybody."
Scattini said Corpuz was single, had an older sister and that his parents live in the Watsonville area.
"If you ever met Bernard, you would never forget him," he said.
Steve Soper, dean of students at Palma, said he remembers Corpuz "as a great kid" who as a transfer struggled a bit at first.
"Jimmy Scattini kind of turned his life around in a lot of ways. He got him out for track and he had some success in track," Soper said.
"You hate to see anybody who goes over there and fights for their country and then pays the ultimate price."
Jerry Flowers, who retired from the Army in 1972 and went to work at Palma as a vice principal until last year, saw Corpuz about a year ago when he went to the military barber shop at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey.
"I didn't recognize him. He had a real short military haircut and he looked completely different," Flowers said. "He said he was going through the language school at DLI."
As a vice principal who handled admissions, Flowers was among the first to welcome Corpuz, a transfer from Southern California, to the school. He recalls how the adjustment was difficult at first for Corpuz and his mother.
He said Corpuz told him he "loved it the Army. He was really excited and he looked really good."
He said his mother, whom Palma administrators remember for always bringing them doughnut holes, was doing well.
Palma secretary Mary Val said Corpuz and his mom "are just wonderful people," kind and respectful. She recently saw Corpuz's mom, who told her he was going to the Middle East.
"She seemed scared and nervous," Val said, but knew that this was what her son wanted to do. "Even after I saw her she came and brought us doughnut holes again."
Doug Saucedo, who taught physical education at Palma for 22 years, said he often gave Corpuz and two other local students a ride to and from school.
"He was kind of quiet, typical as a freshman and new kid not knowing anybody, but as the years went on he was really a character, really a fun kid to be around."
Saucedo recalls driving past J&S Surplus on Highway 1 near Moss Landing while on the trek back from Salinas with Corpuz. He said on "free dress days he would wear his fatigues."
Contact Julie Copeland at mailto:jcopeland@santacruzsentinel.com?subject=Watsonville
Copyright © Santa Cruz Sentinel. All rights reserved.
___________________________________________________
For more online stories from the Santa Cruz Sentinel visit:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com
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The article states Cpl. Bernard P. Corpuz and his high school physical education teacher often passed the Moss Landing site where USAKIA has its memorial events for the last year now. Our second annual Labor Day Weekend remembrance of U.S. KIAs will be this September.
http://santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/June/14/local/stories/01local.htm
Regards
USAKIA
___________________________________________________
June 14, 2006
Watsonville soldier dies in Afghanistan
By Julie Copeland
Sentinel staff writer
WATSONVILLE - Dedicated. Hard working. A great athlete. And a respectful young man.
That's how friends of Cpl. Bernard P. Corpuz described the Watsonville soldier who died Sunday in Ghanzi, Afghanistan.
The Fort Hood, Texas, soldier died when his convoy came under small arms fire and an improvised explosive device went off, according to the Defense Department. Corpuz, 28, was assigned to the 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 504th Military Intelligence Brigade.
Corpuz attended Palma High School in Salinas, graduating in 1995.
His parents could not be reached, but many at Palma remember Corpuz.
John Devine, who was an assistant track coach at Palma, described Corpuz as "a very dedicated kid with track. ... He made himself a good athlete by working harder."
Devine remembers Corpus loved heavy metal music and wore his hair a little longer than was the norm at Palma, a private Catholic high school. By the time he was a senior he was beating all the jocks when it came to the track.
Corpuz earned the Tony Teresa Memorial Scholarship to attend Hartnell College in Salinas where he ran the 400 intermediate hurdles before transferring to the University of La Verne in Southern California.
Brother Patrick Dunne, principal at Palma, was shocked to learn of Corpuz's death, saying it's a first for the school.
"He was a very nice young man, always eager to please, a pretty wholesome kid," Dunne said. "Everyone was very impressed with his attitude and his performance."
Former Palma track coach Jim Scattini said he kept in touch with Corpuz and last saw him about nine months ago when he was home.
"He was extremely dedicated and loyal to the team," Scattini said. "He made himself into a very accomplished athlete and then took it into Hartnell at the junior college level and college at La Verne."
He excelled in the 400 meters but could run all the sprints.
"The fact that he joined the armed services wasn't a surprise to anybody."
Scattini said Corpuz was single, had an older sister and that his parents live in the Watsonville area.
"If you ever met Bernard, you would never forget him," he said.
Steve Soper, dean of students at Palma, said he remembers Corpuz "as a great kid" who as a transfer struggled a bit at first.
"Jimmy Scattini kind of turned his life around in a lot of ways. He got him out for track and he had some success in track," Soper said.
"You hate to see anybody who goes over there and fights for their country and then pays the ultimate price."
Jerry Flowers, who retired from the Army in 1972 and went to work at Palma as a vice principal until last year, saw Corpuz about a year ago when he went to the military barber shop at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey.
"I didn't recognize him. He had a real short military haircut and he looked completely different," Flowers said. "He said he was going through the language school at DLI."
As a vice principal who handled admissions, Flowers was among the first to welcome Corpuz, a transfer from Southern California, to the school. He recalls how the adjustment was difficult at first for Corpuz and his mother.
He said Corpuz told him he "loved it the Army. He was really excited and he looked really good."
He said his mother, whom Palma administrators remember for always bringing them doughnut holes, was doing well.
Palma secretary Mary Val said Corpuz and his mom "are just wonderful people," kind and respectful. She recently saw Corpuz's mom, who told her he was going to the Middle East.
"She seemed scared and nervous," Val said, but knew that this was what her son wanted to do. "Even after I saw her she came and brought us doughnut holes again."
Doug Saucedo, who taught physical education at Palma for 22 years, said he often gave Corpuz and two other local students a ride to and from school.
"He was kind of quiet, typical as a freshman and new kid not knowing anybody, but as the years went on he was really a character, really a fun kid to be around."
Saucedo recalls driving past J&S Surplus on Highway 1 near Moss Landing while on the trek back from Salinas with Corpuz. He said on "free dress days he would wear his fatigues."
Contact Julie Copeland at mailto:jcopeland@santacruzsentinel.com?subject=Watsonville
Copyright © Santa Cruz Sentinel. All rights reserved.
___________________________________________________
For more online stories from the Santa Cruz Sentinel visit:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com
Home Deliver: Subscribe today, for more info visit:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/departments/subform.html
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