COSTA MESA Marine gets warm welcome from...

COSTA MESA

Marine gets warm welcome from students

Marine Lance Cpl. Mike Casillas came home Friday, and stopped by

Wilson Middle School to meet with students who sent him goodies and

letters while he was in Iraq. He responded to each letter, even

though he was on a dangerous mission.

While in Al Ramadi, Casillas’ unit was tasked with missions such

as patrolling areas of responsibility and conducting raids on

suspicious houses, but it also helped in rebuilding the city’s

infrastructure and building a school, he said.

Casillas attended Wilson Elementary School, TeWinkle Middle School

and Estancia High School before joining the Marines and getting

shipped off to Al Ramadi, Iraq, for seven months with the 2nd

Battalion, 4th Marines. He visited Wilson Elementary School Friday

morning during an emotional ceremony when parents and children gave

him a warm welcome home and presented him with gifts.