San Diego Scuba Diving Training

Soldiers celebrate Fourth

The Fourth of July was a homecoming for several long-absent Guamanians, and a hearty welcome for a group of newcomers.

At Ypao Beach yesterday, members of Umatac's Quinata family, and a group of newly arrived U.S. Army soldiers gathered under the main pavilion, enjoying traditional fiesta food and July fourth staples alike, dancing to classic rock and joining in a spirited game of volleyball -- despite the looming rain clouds.

Part of the 58th Signal Battalion, 23 soldiers from the U.S. Army 333 Signal Company arrived on Guam about a month ago to set up a military communications site on Guam, said Greg Schuetz, noncommissioned officer in charge of the company.

The Army will have soldiers permanently deployed on Guam to manage the communications site, with about half arriving for six-month training rotation. About 10 will stay on island to train new soldiers as they arrive on island, said Richard Fetzer, a retired Army first sergeant, who works with the company through a civilian contractor.

Many of the soldiers have no family on the island, but still wanted to have a traditional Independence Day celebration, said Schuetz.

"This is what we do," Schuetz said. "This is what the Navy does. This is what the Air Force does. Everybody celebrates the Fourth."

The event was organized by Richard Fetzer's wife, Patricia Quinata Fetzer, who got wind of the celebration, and "ran with it," said Schuetz, leaving little for the company to do.

"We pretty much showed up to eat, play volleyball and drink beer," said Schuetz.

A Umatac native, Patricia Fetzer said she wanted to do something to make the soldiers feel at home.

"I just thought about being alone on the island, and being away from your family," she said.

Patricia Fetzer left the island in 1981 to join the Army, and after a three-year tour stayed in the states. She now lives in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and has only been able to come home to the island for short periods of time, Patricia Fetzer said. Now she's been able to spend time with family -- and even enlisted her relatives to help prepare the fiesta spread.

But, along with the fina'denne' and red rice, Patricia Fetzer made sure there were some mainland Fourth of July staples -- hot dogs and watermelon.

"I just wanted to do something for them, and welcome them to the island," she said.

The soldiers are doing 60 hours a week of training, as well as doing community service building baseball diamonds for an upcoming Little League tournament in their down time, "so this is the break right here," Schuetz said.

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A quick roar out to scuba diving blog for bringing this Associated Content Post!

Scuba diving in San Diego encompasses a wide variety of marine life and diving opportunities. The most popular area for scuba diving in San Diego appears to be La Jolla Cove Ecological Park. This area is the absolute must dive area for scuba diving in San Diego as well as California in general. La Jolla Cove doesn’t appear to be a scuba diving spot in San Diego for beginners. You must show your diving certification in order to participate in some of these dives. Other diving excursions are set up for individuals with little or no scuba diving experience.

Scuba diving in San Diego can be set up through San Diego Scuba Tour. This company offers several scuba diving opportunities in San Diego. Their day excursion of La Jolla Cove includes a certified diving guide. Their night dive trips show a different side to marine life guided by dive instructors with PADI certification. They also offer private diving adventures. All of these guided excursions require proof of current certification. You can rent diving gear at San Diego Scuba Tour facilities. They also offer a wide variety of programs for the uninitiated and uncertified diver from snorkeling to private diving classes. These classes are taught by qualified instructors, and include scuba gear and other necessary requirements for the class. Pool sessions and ocean experiences are incorporated in the classes, which will prepare you for scuba diving in San Diego.

Another opportunity to participate in scuba diving in San Diego is provided by a company called Scuba Diver Girls. Scuba Diver Girls in San Diego use fully certified guides on their diving trips to La Jolla Cove. Some of the sights awaiting you when you take part in scuba diving in San Diego are types of fish such as Garibaldi and Sheephead. Also, Lobster, Starfish, Giant Sea Bass, Seals and Sea lions are included in their own natural habitats. These are just a few of the species you will encounter on your scuba diving in San Diego diving experience. You must be certified in order to take part on this scuba diving in San Diego excursion.

Scuba Diver Girls also offers classes to teach scuba diving in San Diego. The classes are open to anyone interested in learning to scuba dive. If you need to rent scuba gear, there is an extra charge for the equipment but you can obtain what you need through the diving company. They offer classes from the very beginning level to specialty and rescue level certifications.

Scuba diving, a Trailside guide

Insiders' Guide to San Diego

Que's Official Internet Yellow Pages

San Diego divers' log

Fodor's San Diego 2008