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(Continued from page 15)
Chief Alonzo graduated high school at Laguna Institute at Calamba, Laguna.
Thereafter, he went to De La Salle College in Manila as a full scholar and also at one
time, a member of the Dean's List. After two years in De La Salle and during a date,
he had an unfortunate car accident in Antipolo, Rizal (Radio Patrol was the first one to
report it to police). His girlfriend sustained 21 stitches on the forehead while he
sustained bruises and scratches and almost bit his tongue off when his head hit the
windshield of his uncle's car that was totaled.
Naturally, his father, Atty. Benjamin Alonzo, grounded him at Calamba only after two years
of college. It looked as though his future was dim specially when Ferdinand Marcos
declared Martial law in the Philippines. Because of this, he planned to exit the country
and by topping the U.S. Navy's entrance exam a Subic Naval Base in the Philippines among
five thousand examinees, his bright navy career started. His exam scores were so
high, he was guaranteed Navy Personnelman Class "A" School at Orlando, Florida
or any navy rating school he may want except those that requires security clearance or
U.S. citizenship even immediately after completing Basic Training at San Diego
California where he served as a Battalion Yeoman and as a Tenor Drummer in the Drum
and Bugle Corps (he was formerly a drummer in Kayumanggi Rock Band in the Philippines
before joining the navy).
He was then assigned tours of sea duty at USS HALEAKALA (AE-25), homeported at Concord
California and USS TUSCALOOSA (LST-1187), homeported at San Diego, California where he
completed three West Pacific Cruises while serving as a Personnel Clerk.
After his tour of sea duty, he was reassigned to Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi,
Texas. He separated from the service and continued his education at Texas A&M
University at Corpus Christi, Texas, (formerly Corpus Christi State University) and was a
member of the Dean's list and graduated with honors. Stephens Computer Center of
Corpus Christi employed him as a programmer and as Marketing Director.
He also taught computer courses at Alice High School in Alice, Texas. He joined the navy
again in 1985. While in the navy, he graduated from numerous Military Schools
including those by offered by the Army and the U.S. Marine Corps for courses in
Intelligence Photography, Civilian and Military Personnel Management, Personnel Accounting
(finishing 1 of 26), Military Justice Procedures (finishing 1 of 21) and Computer
Systems.
He had assignments starting as a Personnel Clerk early in his career to First Lieutenant,
Source Data Systems Manager, Automated Data Processing Security Officer, Education Service
Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, Military Personnel
Supervisor, Personnel Officer to Leading Chief culminating to be the Military Personnel
Chief and Command Chief for Military Sealift Command, Atlantic, an organization that
manages and controls 40 United States Naval Ships assigned in the Atlantic region.
Farewell and Following seas to you Chief! Your country is thankful for your
service!##
Editor's note: Chief Alonzo recently
received a Certificate of Appreciation from U.S. President Bill Clinton.
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