Willow Canyon’s ‘Dear John’ Heartfelt Love Story

by: Marcus Dudas

Senior Serenity Lorentz plans to study animal physiology at the University of Arizona, an estimated 1,800 miles from Chicago, Illinois.

That distance is important to her, because while she fills her head with images of splintered horse femurs and X-rays of happy meal toys being digested by the most indiscrimi­nate of canines, she has to worry about the man she loves be­ing shot at during military training: former Willow Canyon student Patrick Josiah Marks.

The United States military plans on shipping Marks to Chicago, Illinois, on February 22, 2011, to begin his re­cruit training command. After eight weeks he could end up in California, Virginia or Florida where he will start his A-school.

There they will teach him how to be an aviation machinist mate, a crucial engineering occupation that ensures the safe flight of carrier jets and other aeronautic vehicles.

“I knew I wanted to be a part of this country’s military since I was thirteen,” Marks said. “I knew I wanted to be in the sky in the jets that fly over us all the time. My ultimate goal is to be a naval aviator. I had seen my friends join and become the defenders of this country, and I wanted that.”

Letters come once a week where Marks will be staying in recruit training command, but no other form of communica­tion is permitted for the duration of his training. “It’s hard on relationships, the long distance, and it’s silly, but I’m afraid of training accidents,” said Lorentz.

“He asked me once if we were going to stay together, and we said we’d work around it. I think I could go on the ship with him, but I’ll be dealing with college then.”

Neither Marks nor Lorentz can guess what toll their rela­tionship will take while separated, but both feel certain their bond can weather his departure and withstand the months he will be away when he is finally assigned to a carrier that he hopes will be the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan.

For now, at least, they can enjoy each other’s company. As a former student of Willow Canyon, Marks thanked all of his teachers and friends, Mrs. Wenz (for showing him the beauty of ink, the marvel of paper) and the Paw Print for sharing his story. He also urged students to respect the moment of silence that is held each day after the Pledge of Allegiance. “For God’s sake, keep it silent. Men and women around the world gave their lives for that moment of peace you have,” said Marks.