Boot camp -- it reveals our character

Twenty eight. That’s how many letters I received, read, and re-read from Daniel when he was in Boot Camp at Parris Island.

The first was a form letter; it informed me he was in Platoon 2049, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. What did all that mean? I had no clue, but over the next three months I would start to figure it out.

I think I went through my own kind of training while he was away: "Recruit mom training." It consisted of devouring every printed word I could lay my hands on, and checking the Parris Island EZ board (a web site, http://parrisisland.yuku.com/) every time I passed a computer. Once I found them, the Marine Moms scooped me up and shared their wisdom. I needed it.

I received one phone call from Daniel when he arrived late at night. Fifteen seconds of Daniel practically shouting in monotone as he read from a "script" posted on the wall in front of him. It was the oddest thing -- I could hear countless other recruits in the background making the same call. I bet moms all over the country were wiping tears at that exact moment, and that thought made me feel not quite so alone.

I’ve been thinking about those months since I heard a new Marine Mom talk about her son who is in boot camp right now. I remember the bewilderment I felt during that time. I can tell her what to expect, but I can’t tell her how it's going to feel.

I remember seeing Daniel for the first time on Family Day. He looked chiseled, like someone had sharpened his edges and boiled him down to a concentrate. It kind of scared me. Was my Daniel still in there?

Well, he was and is. He’s still the funniest person I know, irreverent and sarcastic. Thoughtful and loving. He is still Daniel.

When that new Marine mom goes to Beaufort, S.C., for her son’s graduation, she’ll find her son is still there -- just more defined in his purpose.

This quote from a bumper sticker tells it best: ”The Marine Corps doesn’t build character, it reveals it.”

Tiffany


Marion Cleveland from Bradenton sent me a photo and this short letter about her new Marine, Andrew:

My son Andrew graduated from Parris Island on Nov. 9th, 2007. During his time on Parris Island he worked very hard and was meritoriously promoted and received the honor of being the Series Guidon for the graduation ceremony. Prior to going into the Marine Corp. He was a mortgage broker and then personal trainer at a local gym. Although he loved what he was doing, he knew what he really needed to be -- a United States Marine. One of the few and the proud, that's my son!
After boot camp he feels the decision he made was the right one. He is a wonderful, caring son, one who has been a delight in so many ways to raise. He is proud to be a Marine and we are proud to say he is one as well. This is his graduation photo:



Junie Benson shared this about her son, Christopher:

Corporal Christopher Benson graduated from Booker High in 2004. After boot camp and combat training he attended the Marine Corps School of Music in VA. After the school of music he was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA where he is a member of the 1st Marine Division Band and Jazz Ensemble. He served in Iraq from August '06-February '07 as a member of the “bomb squad”. After returning to the states he was married in July and remains at Camp Pendleton.

This is a photo she sent:


Shari Dowling said this about her son, Peter:

Lance Corporal Peter Dowling was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. He is now majoring in International Relations/Political Science at Florida State University. This picture was taken in Mexico at a monument erected at the site of the Battle of Chapultepec where the Marines fought.