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My son arrived yesterday and we got the call at about 2:30am.  I was so thankful to have read some posts on here earlier in the day - because hearing the DI's shouting in the background would have thrown me for a loop!!  It was difficult to hear him even though he was using his "recruit" shout!  I talked over him and just said "I love you, stay strong" before the phone was hung up.  I'm sure he didn't hear me, but I felt better saying it! 

Hang in there ~~ we'll get through it and so will they! ;-)

I made my hotel reservations for graduation this morning and Greyhound is right - lots of places were booked or only had one or two rooms left.  I booked 4 rooms because I am unsure who is planning to attend among our family members & friends, so I figured better safe than sorry!  I am anxious to get the initial "form letter" so I can see what Platoon he is in etc ~ and also because I know that means the communication will start! ;-)

Today was better than yesterday, which was better than the day before.  I still can't get the pit out of my stomach, and the desire to scream "I miss my son" - remains intact.  The tears, well they still brim up in my eyes and I believe they will for a long time.  I can't imagine that I will ever stop missing him, or worrying about him.  <Heavy Sigh>   

Does anyone know where the "fast forward" button on this thing is so we can skip July & August and go right to graduation day?  LOL

Praying for all of the recruits and the family & friends that love them!! 

Good Morning Everyone!!  Day 5 is here - which means we are one day closer to getting our first letter, and one day closer to seeing our "new" Marines!!

Greyhound - I made reservations at Comfort Suites the rooms are all suites so there is a fridge & microwave -- which I personally like in a room.  Rate was $129.00 per night.  I know there are cheaper places to stay, but I heard some of them are total dumps!  We are flying down from NJ on the 19th and will leave either right after graduation or very early Saturday morning - just not sure yet.  I did reserve a room for the night of the 21st, but can change it as things get closer.

In regard to cleaning his room -- I am right there with you!!!  My husband (his step dad) called me yesterday and said "I'm cleaning Andrew's room and throwing a lot of stuff out" --- I nearly had a fit!!!  I said "Don't touch anything - I am cleaning it!!!"..   He just doesn't understand why I'm sad, why I am still in a bit of a funk, and why things that are Andrew's are precious to me.  It's not like I have a shrine set up for him ~ I just want to be the one going through his stuff (his girlfriend will help too)!!  My husband is anxious for me to "get back to normal"~~  I think what we considered "normal" before he left for PI has changed, and will remain that way as long as he is Marine. 

While looking at some older posts, I found an "open letter" for all recruits written by a former DI.  I cut and pasted it into MS Word and adjusted the format to fit on one page.  I printed it and am sending to Andrew - it's very motivational especially because it's written by a DI.!  Enjoy!

To the recruits of Golf Co:

Hopefully some of you will get to see this but I wanted to post this letter here to you because I want to thank each and every one of you for your decision to become part of Elite Fighting force called the United States Marine Corps.
The journey you have embarked upon is a hard one ....but rest assured it is one that many before you have treaded upon and conquered ...
The Corps is a small and unique brotherhood that all who have been there before you cherish and hold dear to their hearts.  A brotherhood they will and have died for.

I know this because I too am a part of this brotherhood .......I joined the Corps 28 years ago following in my father’s footsteps …he entered 50 years ago ....you too have now tread on those same yellow footprints that my father and I have .......we are proud to share them with you ...
We are proud to welcome you to the brotherhood ...but prior to you receiving that honor you still have many weeks of hard and trying training to accomplish ....you have many lost hours of sleep ahead....many miles of road to walk and run .....a lot of sweat blood and sometimes tears to shed,
but in about 12 weeks those of you who stood up to the challenge and never gave up ....will have earned the title ....you will have earned the right to be a part of our brotherhood ..... you will have earned that Eagle Globe and Anchor.........that symbol too is unique to only the Corp as we are the only military service that does it all ......air ground and sea ......

From the halls of Montezuma ...to the shores of Tripoli .......from the depths of the destroyed barracks in Beirut ...to the hot sands of the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan ...many before you have given the ultimate sacrifice to allow all of us as Americans to have the freedom of choice, the freedom to take our next breath ...the freedom to walk with our heads held high .......don’t ever forget the sacrifice that those before you made ....
They made it for you ......so that you could too stand on those yellow footprints ......
keep your heads held high ...when you’re tired ..push harder .......when you hurt ...remember its weakness leaving your body ......when you think you can’t give any more ...take another step ..........because you owe that to yourself ........but more so for the ones before you .....

My advice to you ......keep your ears open .....your  mouths closed ......and your heart full of pride
because you have the right to be proud ....you will be our brother .......you will be a Marine ........most of all never quit ....

Semper Fidelis ...means  “always faithful” ... to yourself ...your family ...your God ...and your Corps

 

Remember:  Honor ....Courage ....And Commitment

 

I am proud to be associated with each and every one of you .......and I hope to shake your hands on that great day ....when you become

A UNITED STATES MARINE!!    OOH-RAH!!

Marine Drill Instructor 84-87
OCS Plt Sgt 87-89
USMC 1979-90

PROUD FATHER OF
PFC ALEX GRAD 10/24/08 fox co 2nd bn

My pleasure!  I was so happy when I found it - and knew right away I needed to print it and send it off to my son!  Anything to keep them motivated and pushing forward!!