September 11th of 2001 will be a sad date that will live in our memories forever. It not only changed our perception of life, but also changed the 'routine' tour of duty of our armed forces deployed overseas. Among them was the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit / Special Operations Capable (15MEU/SOC).

One of the proud members of 15MEU is our own L.Cpl. Danny Rodriguez, a 1999 graduate from South High School, former student at Saddle Rock Elementary School, and South Middle School, volunteer firefighter in Great Neck just before he became a Marine in Parris Island February 11, on 2000. Since then, Danny has been under rigorous training, along with 1,300 other Marines from all over the USA, as part of the 15MEU at their home base in San Diego, CA. Many are in their late teens or early 20s. Most had never been overseas, let alone

Afghanistan. Many of them traded their caps and gowns for Kevlar helmets and camouflage fatigues.

Some time at the end of the summer of 2001 the 15MEU on board the USS Peleliu along with Navy personnel, started a six-month trip with an unexpected twist. First planned stop was Hawaii for a short visit before heading to Darwin, Australia to enjoy three days of 'liberty'. During liberty while touring the place, Danny and the rest of the 'brothers' were recalled to the USS Peleliu and told of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Back home in the United States, it was September 11.

Their tour of duty and military maneuvers with friendly countries became a call to active duty to defend our country and our way of life. At this time, they all are aboard the USS Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship, in the north Arabian Sea, waiting for new orders they knew were coming.

En route to the Arabian Sea, the Peleliu made a scheduled stop in East Timor to unload humanitarian aid, one of the unit's wide-ranging missions, from disaster relief and peacekeeping, to airport seizures and special operations. The 15th is equipped with troop-carrying helicopters, Harrier jump jet strike planes, armored vehicles, combat trucks, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, landing craft and hovercraft.

Marines say they are the "tip of spear." On Nov. 21, the 15th MEU and other special operations groups prepared for a Nov. 23 assault on a desert airstrip southwest of Kandahar. Departing from the Peleliu, Marines flew into Afghanistan aboard six CH-53E helicopters and secured the designated airstrip. Within an hour it was safe to bring additional equipment and supplies. The US flag was raised over the Marine Corps in Camp Rhino for the first time on Nov. 29.

During the first week of December the 15th MEU tasted their first action on land. Three Taliban vehicles approached a team of Marines on heavily armed Humvees and the Marines attacked from the ground and from the air, killing seven Taliban fighters. No Marines were injured. In an unfortunate incident, a land mine exploded injuring three Marines.

When not reading, attending religious services, lifting weights or training, many Marines spend hours lining up for the few Internet-connected computers which keep them linked by e-mail with family and friends. The Marines are restricted in what they can say about their mission or possible destination once they learn it. Some of them have left at different times in connection with special operations. They are not permitted to reveal where they went.

Thanks to the information age we are in constant communication with Danny, via e-mail and sometimes via phone. The fact that we can hear his voice, gives us a sense of tense calm. He tries to reassure us not to worry or be concerned, that he has been well trained to do his job; but even if we do not stop worrying, we feel a little bit better. Another thing that makes me feel good is the constant concern shown and expressed by friends wherever I go - from the superintendent of the schools (former Marine) to every PTSA and UPTC member and neighbors. Their constant reassurance and sense of pride transmitted daily, means a lot to us. I can not help but feel proud of my son and every other Marine serving with him for our country.

We sent him a package a few weeks back and it was delivered Christmas day. When we learned that he received the junk food, candies, pictures, cards and letters, and a few presents, we knew he was having a very special day. That made it a special day for us.

The fact that our men in uniform are somehow away from the actual person- to -person combat, also helps us feel a little bit less apprehensive. The Internet is a wonderful source of accurate information -not the news sites.

Their mission and duties change as needed and soon, we hope, they will be replaced, and will return to their ship and continue on their scheduled military exercises and humanitarian services before returning home after a well executed mission representing and defending the best nation in the world. Job well done. Semper Fi. We love this country and what it represents.

(Editor's note: George and Sonia Rodriguez, Danny's proud parents, are supported in the hard job of waiting at home by their many friends in Great Neck who know them from their active involvement in the school community and the Hispanic community. George has served on the United Parent Teacher's Council, chairperson of the District Safety and Transportation Committee for many years. These are parents who moved to Great Neck and made a real and positive difference and now their son is making a difference as well. Our prayers are with them).