Final Post for this MEPS to Marine Chapter

Three months ago today Sara marched out of our lives and so began "Sara's 'Little' Adventure."

First off,  thank you Sara, for the journey and the reason to write, research, copy, paste, quote, compile, etc.

For you who are reading this and have been reading regularly since I began writing about Sara's day-to-day, week-to-week journey throughout Marine boot camp, thanks for reading. 

It was unexpected and I feel quite fortunate that Sara chose to spend so much time and effort to keep us informed through her letter writing... again, I am very thankful to her for that.  We always had a little letter reading "pow-wow" when one would arrive and we would wonder if everything was going OK if there was a long time between letters.  Everything worked out just fine.

This blog singles out Sara, our Recruit.  But so many here unamed fellow recruits influenced her journey and made it what it was.  Most graduated with her...some were pushed back to Oscar Company platoons and still others who played rolls were unable to finish this journey... made to leave, for example, due to a previously undiscovered alergy to an ant bite.  I owe each Recruit my gratitude for their choice to serve and give their energy and time and for the bit or piece they brought to the table.

To the Drill Instructors, SSgt M., SSgt S, and SDI SSgt W:  You have my respect and admiration.  And to one DI in particular, you have earned the utmost respect from this Dad's Marine.  Your dedication and motivation was contagious.  Though she may have expressed "no preference, Ma'am", or perhaps left unexpressed her admiration to maintain form, know that a model to imitate in you has been set.  Thank you.  Thank you all -- for making a difference in my Marine... in the lives of all the Recruits, and ultimately in the life and well-being of our nation and of those whom the U.S. Marines and all branches of the military fight to protect.  Thank you for your service.
If I have learned anything in these past three months, it's that no one does Marine bootcamp alone.  So though this blog singles out our Recruit turned Marine, it is acutely clear that any one recruits' success is contingent on the team... the ability to form and maintain a selfless cohesive ordered disciplined whole characterized, at the end of the day by Honor, Courage and Commitment to a cause greater than self.

So Sara, it has been an amazing learning curve for me to experience your boot camp from a distance.  You know how proud we are and how thankful I am for your service and heart.

I truly wish you the very best in your career as a Marine, in your college career, and in your desire to excel in everything you choose to do.  If your performance in bootcamp is any indication, it is going to be so much fun to watch you succeed in life.  You are dearly loved....as you know!

I finish this "chapter" with my favorite quotes from the Bible, the book of Proverbs, and Micah.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and

lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your paths"

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly, and

To love mercy, and

To walk humbly with your God."

Signing off from Tulsa.

Good bye.

Parris Island, Parris Island,  Parris Island, 4th Battalion, 4th Battalion, Marine Corps, Female marine, Female Marine, Marine Recruit, Training matrix, Phase 1, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Grass Week, MCRD, Firing Week, Firing Week, Crucible, Crucible, Crucible, Leatherneck Square, Silver Hatches

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http://thecorpsstore.com/
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http://www.wunderground.com/US/SC/Parris_Island.htm