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| Louisburg High School graduate finds success in Marine Corps |
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| News | |||
| Written by Aaron Cedeño | |||
| Wednesday, 18 November 2009 08:00 | |||
Steve Edgar can clearly recall the first time his youngest son, Mark, told him that he wanted to be a Marine.  It was during Mark’s junior year at Louisburg High School, after a United States Marine Corps recruiter had visited the school. His pitch made an impression on him, and coming from what Steve described as a “fighting family,” with a history of military service, it made him want to take up that mantle. Steve, of course, was bursting with pride. What parent wouldn’t be? But with that sacrifice comes danger, and Steve also remembers the first time he felt the chill of fear, fear for his son, quite vividly as well. It was September 11, 2001, and both of his sons were still asleep in their shared bedroom when the Twin Towers began to fall. “I went in and said ‘You’d better wake up, Marine-to-be. This country’s at war,’” Steve remembered. “And then I got real scared, and I’ve been scared ever since.” Mark Edgar’s career is already one marked with distinction. After graduating from Louisburg High School in May of 2002, he left for boot camp in San Diego just four days later. Joining the reserves, he accepted a basketball scholarship from Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kan., where he continued his education while serving with the Marines during the summers and one weekend a month. At that point, Steve said, Mark wasn’t thinking about a career in the military. He enjoyed serving his country and being a Marine, and the reserves seemed to suit him just fine. After graduating from NCCC, Mark, a Wildcat by nature, opted to continue his education at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Mark was attached to the 24th Marine Regiment, based out of Kansas City, Mo. After his first semester wrapped up at KSU, he was on his way back to Manhattan, when he stopped by home for a dinner with his family. It was there, Steve said, that his son announced yet another life-changing decision. “He said ‘Well, I volunteered to go to Iraq and I want to be in a combat unit,’” Steve said. “And I just started bawling. He said ‘Dad, don’t cry. This is what I want to do.’” After a few months of additional training, Mark shipped out for Fallujah — a city in Iraq with a population of approximately 300,000 that has been a hotbed of insurgent activity in recent years. During that seven-month tour of duty, Steve said, Mark experienced a little bit of everything, including the destruction of a Humvee in which he was a passenger, that left him with slightly impaired hearing. It also gave him a new direction in life. Setting foot on American soil again in October 2005, Mark decided that his future was with the Marines. At the advice of his lieutenant, who believed that he had the necessary tools to excel as an officer, Mark completed his education at KSU, graduating in May of 2008 with a bachelors degree in business administration. He received his commission as a 2nd. Lt. in August 2008, and worked full-time as a Marine Corps. recruiter in the Kansas City area, waiting for a spot to open up at the United States Marine Corp Basic School Training Command in Quantico, Va. While there, Steve said, his son’s tireless work ethic served him well, and in October Mark graduated from the Basic School with honors, recognized for superior performance in leadership, military skills and academic achievement — placing in the top 10-percent among 271 graduating officers. Additionally, Mark was selected by company staff to receive the prestigious Mitchell Paige Mustang Award, presented to a previously enlisted Marine for “exemplary perseverance, spirit and determination.” His achievements earned him the right to serve in a Marine branch of his choosing, Steve said, and after careful consideration, Mark chose the infantry. It’s yet another tough and potentially dangerous decision, but Steve has faith in his son. When asked which of Mark’s accomplishments made him the most proud, he paused for a moment to consider. “His integrity and honesty,” he said, proudly. “His work ethic. That’s how I raised my sons.”
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