Senior Project to Honor Fallen Marine ~ By, Charity Maness

When USMC LCPL Brummund a resident of Arnold and graduate of Bret Harte High School, died June 10, 2010 while supporting combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Carson Ellington, now a 17 year old senior at Bret Harte High School found himself at a loss. “I can’t remember a time in my life that I wasn’t hanging out with Gavin.” said Carson of his pseudo big brother. When Carson was growing up anything he and two older brothers Jimi and Justin would be doing always seemed to include Gavin and visa versa.

Not only had Gavin been like another big brother to Carson, he was also an additional and much welcomed son to then single mom Patty Ellington who said “Gavin was great to have around” that he was just like one of her boys.

Carson’s love and respect for Gavin and his family prompted him to dedicate a half time memorial to LCPL Brummund during the September 10, 2010 Bret Harte football game. During the half time presentation the memory of Gavin was honored as were his family and his young widow. Carson played the remainder of the game proudly displaying Gavin’s Bret Harte football number, 82, on his helmet.

 So when the assignment was put before him to prepare, organize and complete a senior project Carson “knew it would have something to do with honoring Gavin,” keeping his name and his service in people’s hearts and minds. Carson’s mother Patty said when Carson was brain storming for his project, she asked him to think of what would make Gavin happy. It was at that point Carson decided any fund raiser he hosted in Gavin’s honor would benefit Veteran’s. He chose to donate all the proceeds to the efforts leading to the formation of a VFW Post in Copperopolis. “What better way to pay tribute to Gavin than to help create a place for fellowship with other vets,” said Patty.

Mentoring Carson along the way was Bret Harte Golf Coach Rich Cathcart and Greenhorn Creek Pro Allen Ramorini. Coach Cathcart has “helped me with all the paperwork and organization of the project on the school end” and “Allen who was totally open with the idea helped me by creating an outline for me to follow on how to run a tournament” patiently answering all of Carson’s questions along the way.

Allen Ramorini said he felt Carson was doing a great job. He was certain Carson did not know the amount of work that was entailed in hosting a Golf Tournament, “but he is learning.” Saying that Carson is methodically completing each item on the outline he helped create for the tournament and seems to be well on his way to what looks like “a successful golf tournament.”

Coach Cathcart, Carson's golf coach for the last four years said, "He's an amazing young man...this is a dificult undertaking and he is doing wonderfully." Mr. Cathcart also stated that he had the opportunity prior to retiring as a teacher to have Carson as a student, saying that he was a wonderful student.

Not only has Carson organized a Golf Tournament, he has thrown in a dinner and a raffle too. Planning for hopefully 40 to 60 people to golf, dine, and enjoy an evening, is no small task. Carson repeatedly thanked his teacher and Allen for all that they were doing to help him “pull off this tournament.”

When asked if he would be able to play in the tournament he said, “Unfortunately no, I will have to oversee the activities and make sure it’s all running smoothly.”

To attend the tournament April, 10 2011 at Greenhorn Creek, donate money and/or raffle prizes call Carson Ellington at 768-7326. Remember he is in school during the day, so if he doesn’t answer, please leave a message, he will get back to you as soon as possible.