NJ high school honors soldier

SOMERDALE, N.J. - January 4, 2008 Lieutenant Andrew Grubb is about to begin his second tour of duty in Iraq.

The marine's mom, who teaches at Sterling High in Somerdale, wanted him to feel thanked and supported before he left.

"Andrew's a wonderful boy. We're very proud and he makes us very proud that he's a Marine," Joanne Grubb said.

Students paraded down the hallway, and gathered for a ceremony led by Camden County Veterans Affairs.

They gave Grubb a certificate and placed a medal around his neck.

"I'm not sure if everybody gets this; this is definitely over and beyond, but I would have to appreciate my mom for that one," Lt. Grubb said. "Everybody has their opinions on the war, but it shows that the support is still there for the troops, despite whether they agree or don't agree with it."

Lt. Grubb is currently on leave from pre-deployment; he'll be heading back to Iraq in February, where he'll be helping the Iraqi army train. He'll be there for another seven months.

"These young men are sacrificing a lot of their time right now with jobs and opportunities to serve their time in the military on behalf of all of us," Joanne Grubb said.

"It's very important, especially for it to be her son, and she has to stay here and he's all the way out there," Chatara Oliver, a Sterling High student, said.

Lt. Grubb's high school alma mater closed seven years ago, so this school adopted him as its own.

"I can keep in communication with this school anytime they need anything, I can do it, and if I need something from them, say some of my Marines need some help, I'm sure they're more than happy to help me out," Lt. Grubb said.

It was a little Semper Fi from Sterling High.