Zachary Dehil of Washington- Wilkes graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., on August 17 after successfully completing 12 weeks of training designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.

Zach is the son of Dennis and Laurie Dehil and Beth Dehil and is a 2004 graduate of Washington- Wilkes Comp rehensive High School. He attended NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C., after high school graduation. He worked at Heyward- Allen in Athens before he left to become a Marine recruit.

Zach and his fellow recruits began their training each day at 5 a.m. by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Zach spent numerous hours in the classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-tohand combat and assorted weapons training.

They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training. Zach earned his tan belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and qualified as a Marine Sharp Shooter.

The new Marine also received instructions on the Marine Corps' core values -- honor, courage, and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. Zach and the other recruits ended the training phase with the Crucible, a 54-hour team effort and problem solving evolution.

After graduation from Parris Island, he will be stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., for eight weeks of combat training.