Garska completes boot camp, receives high honors

Lance Corporal Travis J. Garska of Sidney graduated from boot camp Sept. 18 at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego, winning a prestigious award at the same time.

He is a marine from Platoon 3236, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion

The new marines endured 13 weeks of training that included rifle and swim qualification, close order drill, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program testing and rigorous physical training.

The Marine Corps Association and Foundation hands out the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award to each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots.

Garska graduated first in his company and had the honor of receiving the "Chesty" Puller Award for demonstrating the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. He was also a company honorman from the Kilo Company, and received a medal for excellence and superior performance.

Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was the most decorated U.S. Marine in history and is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times, and was also awarded the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Cross.

"At the end of the day, someone has to do this," Garska said. "I would rather it be my life out there on the line than my brother's and sister's."

He will return to San Diego for Marine Corps Combat Training and Military Occupational Speciality.

Garska is the son of Joni Garska of Sidney, Travis and Steffany Garska of Virginia, Minn. Grandparents include John and Vicki Small of Alliance and Bill and Julie Morrow of Bridgeport and Ron Garksa of Bridgeport. Garska is a 2014 graduate of Spring Hill High School in Longview, Texas.