The boy has left home

[The Lorax]

As of 5:30 pm today July 19th 2009, my older son, a week after his 19th birthday, a month and a half after high school graduation has left home, he is spending the night in Columbus OH tonight, tomorrow, he gets his physical (again) then will board a flight for Savannah, GA where he will get on a bus bound for Parriss Island, SC, where his life's greatest adventure will begin...the transformation into a United States Marine. We're all very proud of him, I'm certain he'll make a fine soldier. Just felt compelled to share, have a nice day and ride safe

[Cobia]

Son is gone.

My best wishes to you and your family. And may your son have a successful military career.

[tarzan]

Congrats Lorax,
I bet you will miss him not rambling around the house.I know when my daughter moved to go to college it was hard to get used to.
I am grateful of you're boy's service to the country.He must be a fine young man.

[The Lorax]

Yes, I already miss him. He is the fourth of my five, the eldest son. He's been planning this for some time, three years to be more accurate. he signed up in the delayed entry program last fall, waiting for graduation so he could go. he's chosen Data systems as his MOS. scored well on his ASVAB, a 90 if I remember correctly. the only hitch that's com into play is he went and got himself a girlfriend about three months ago (she's got a major boo boo face right now), but he handled it well when he said his goodbyes today...props to him. have a nice day and ride safe

[oseaghdha]

That's cool.
Wait for the two week call! He will really be hating life by then.
My son came home from boot camp picking his glass up with two hands, sitting with his feet at 45 degree angle, yes sir, no mam. It was quite odd.

You have to go to 'graduation', that was a very awesome thing!

Proud Dad of Sgt Jr. USMC

[XJOK2PLAY]

Lorax...
I send my best to you and your family. I thank him for his service, and may he have a long, and SAFE career.

I can only imagine what you're feeling watching him go...
I remember when my son moved out of the house... I helped him move everything and got him settled... then came home, took a look at his empty bedroom... and it hit me like a ton of bricks... never imagined I'd feel that way... and he just moved across town!!! Wasn't like he was leaving to join the Marines or anything...

Take care Lorax.
Regards,
Bob

[tw1980]

In 13 weeks he will have completed boot camp and will carry the title of MARINE.With that title also comes responsibility.He will be joining the ranks of the finest warriors in the world.I'm very proud of your son for choosing to serve our country,and to defend freedom.Semper Fi.Terry

[DJinNH]

As of 5:30 pm today July 19th 2009, my older son, a week after his 19th birthday, a month and a half after high school graduation has left home, he is spending the night in Columbus OH tonight, tomorrow, he gets his physical (again) then will board a flight for Savannah, GA where he will get on a bus bound for Parriss Island, SC, where his life's greatest adventure will begin...the transformation into a United States Marine. We're all very proud of him, I'm certain he'll make a fine soldier. Just felt compelled to share, have a nice day and ride safe

You think you're pround now, just wait until Family Day (the day prior to Graduation) when he'll get his Eagle, Globe & Anchor officially making him a "Marine".

I double-dog-dare ya to keep from tearing up. Glad I had my sunglasses that day in Sept of 2006.



Best of luck to your son. You may want to check around for some Parris Island bootcamp websites, someplace where the parents, wives, husbands, etc can chat and keep up on what's going on. The one I was on was very helpful and I made some friends along the way.

Don

[DJinNH]

Here's a couple of suggested sites;

http://marinecorpsreality.yuku.com/

http://forums.military.com/eve/forum...rm/f/377197221

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/

http://www.recruitparents.com/bootcamp/hotels-pi.asp

I'm still trying to find the one I spent my time on while my son was at Parris Island. A mom on there went to a graduation a few weeks before my son graduated. Not knowing who's son was in which company, she took a bunch of photos and sent me some to see if I could spot my son....and there he was. He has the red date over his boots in the photo.



Don

[DJinNH]

Sorry for all the posts. Just so you know, it will depend on his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) as to whether he will deploy often. My son is an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Mechanic/Crewman. He just went over his three year mark and has still yet to deploy. Meanwhile, Marines in Infantry, Comms, etc, have been deployed maybe 2 or 3 times in that time frame.

He is suppose to deploy to Afghanistan or maybe Africa early next year. I keep telling him, "Be careful what you wish for."

Don

[foreda]

Marine

God keep him safe!! My nephew just graduated and is headed to California. Coon Ass in California, hope they got plenty o rice!! hhehe

[DJinNH]

Just warn them to never break the Golden Rule of military life.....NEVER volunteer for anything!!!

I only say that because last year, while my son was at Camp Lejeune, NC, he volunteered to go on a TDY to 29 Palms, CA for 7 months. He got the impression from what some were telling him that he would either;

a) get some experience with the M1A1 Abrams tanks

or

b) be a role player in the Urban Assault Training, a course he had just completed back at Camp Lejeune.

So he gets out to 29 Palms and what grand plan do they have to make use of his training??? Seven month of Yard Detail. I could see if he was being punished for screwing up or something but his only fault on this one was again...volunteering.

By the way, my son is heading to CA any day now for four months of Advanced Mechanic School for the AAV's at Camp Pendleton (San Diego).



Good luck to your nephew.

Don

[oseaghdha]

My son was also in AAVs and deployed twice to Iraq on MEUs.

Both times I was able to meet them in Hawaii and ride back to San Diego on the ship with them.

A extremely cool experience!



Anbar Province 2007

[ZombieRob]

i happened to be the son that returned home after six years serving. (all state side thanks to my decision of coast guard) he will come back to visit and graduation is definitely a must. i'm sure you are as proud as he is, best of luck to him, he will have left as a boy and certainly come back as a man. meanwhile time to put a jacuzzi room in the house for you i think. Thanks for his service and your sacrifice as the parent.

[Wildkat]

Best wishes for him and for your family!

Please pass on our thanks to him as well