Miss Rogers City 2011 now serving as U.S. Marine
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The decision to become a United States Marine may not be the most difficult decision a person will make in his or her life, but the process is very hard indeed.
The requirements and procedures needed to become a Marine are very demanding.
However, for those with the personal strength and fortitude to endure, they will become members of the few, the proud.
Abbey Idalski, the daughter of Tom Idalski and Kathy (Tim) Lijewski, has met the high standards of becoming a Marine by finishing boot camp and is currently stationed in Afghanistan.
It was not long ago, she was waving to parade goers along the Nautical Festival parade route as Miss Rogers City 2011. She showed a patriotic streak during the talent portion of the pageant, which she won. While dancing to the song, “Have You Forgotten,” a huge American flag was dropped down in the middle of the routine.
Now, she is defending the flag. LCPL Idalski is currently serving as a field radio operator as part of a 12-month deployment.
She also was first runner up in the 2009 Presque Isle County Fair pageant.
The 2012 Rogers City High School graduate was dropped off in Saginaw with a recruiter, Aug. 24, 2012. She was taken to Lansing before heading to Parris Island.
Marine Corps recruit training is a 13-week program of initial training that each recruit must successfully complete in order to become a Marine. Some consider the recruit training as the most physically and mentally difficult among all the uniformed services. It was about a year ago next week the family traveled to see the graduation ceremony.
“There were about 500 guys and about 60 girls,” said Tom.
Abbey had her mind up about going into the service a year before graduating from the high school.
“It’s what she wanted to do,” said Tom Idalski.
“I joined the Marine Corps because my papa (Clarence Idalski) was part of the Navy,” said Abbey. “I grew up listening to his stories and always knew I wanted to be like him.
“Someday, I hope I can inspire my grandkids half as much as my grandfather inspired me.”
She also grew up as the baby of the family to older brothers and “I always wanted them to admit that their little sister is a Marine.”
Abbey had been living in Twenty
“I am learning many leadership traits well as taking advantage of college courses with little cost,” said Abbey. “The physical fitness part is a great challenge to overcome, too.
“I miss my family and being away from home. But, I pray that I make them proud everyday. And I wouldn’t be here with out God’s strength. And He finds a way to show me everyday that he’s smiling down on me.”
Abbey has made an entire community proud.
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