Stephen Edward Lerch, formerly of El Cerrito, graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Military Police training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri on November 14, 2012. Lerch received the distinction of being named the Distinguished Honor Graduate, based on test scores and practical application of skills. As a result of the honor, Lerch was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Lance Corporal Lerch is visiting with family and friends in El Cerrito before being deployed to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan on November 29. He is a 2005 graduate of El Cerrito High School, and attended Sierra College. He is the son of El Cerrito residents Lynn Watkins and of Ken Lerch and Lyn Hogan.
