HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Blessings on all who have parents, children, family and friends who serve or have served in the US Military.

A special shout out to Company November 4th Marine Recruit Training Battalion Parris Island.





Sara, you are loved dearly.

We are missing you this first missed holiday away from us. Last year, you were jumping off the pier into the water with your cousins. The sillies and fun of girlfriends, the excitement of finishing your Junior year and the Senior year ahead.

I imagine...Is this you today? No fun and games as a Marine recruit... your calling during these days is to follow, obey, absorb, become more, discard innocence, and grasp the true value of the cost of freedom the vast majority take for granted. You are experiencing the genesis of patriotism and the protection of liberty at it's lowest common denominator. At the end of today, after the drills, the PT, the yelling, the sweat and the sore muscles, I would think, though worn thin, there has to be pride in that. There certainly is from this side of the coin.

Today, it is cloudy with with a forecast of 70% chance of thunderstorms at Parris Island so I guess you are still going to get wet, right? But the gear you wear today is not for fun and play, is it. (I woke the house up just now with a fantastic rendition of the Marine Hymn... and track 25 of "Run to Cadence with the US Marines", Up in the Morning, ha!)

You are being fashioned into a new vessel on the potters wheel of the 4th Battalion. You are not forgetting the source of your substance... of who you are, deep down ... but that substance, that clay of your thoughts, emotions, habits, skills is being molded, in a make-over fashion, a somewhat brutal enforced make-over, for your good, your future and for those you will serve.

Today for you is F2. As soon as I hear from you I can send the letters that are piling up and will post to your facebook for your friends to send theirs.

God bless you Sara. Happy Memorial day!