Sgt. Grit;
I received the first newsletter from your site; While I was intrigued and spellbound by the stories of the seasoned Marines; there were two submissions that struck me; One from a New Marine Mom ( which I am one of ) and the other from a new recruit waiting to go to PI; I would like to share how I became a Marine Mom.. It was the summer of 2001 July ; a beautiful day; a family BBQ ; aunts & uncles & cousins that grew up more like brothers and sisters; And now the next generation was there; the cousins children – which included my son. And there was the one cousin that drew all the attention; (he always did )My cousin Sgt. John G. Scharf..USMC He was a wonder; with a smile that could light up a night; a sense of humor that was endless; a 29 yr old man; engaged to be married that year; the father of a beautiful daughter that was his life. He was my sons favorite. Then came another beautiful day; the skies were bright ; the air crisp.. September 11th 2001. My son was at school ; they locked down; my 13 yr. old son was sick & home with me; I remember his words” Mom you hate war movies; why are you watching this?” To explain to him it was real was what I thought would be the hardest thing I had to do; I was wrong; the hardest thing to do came on Sept. 12. with one phone call ; My uncle on the phone (also USMC) ; with one word .. “John”.. his son.. Sgt. John G. Scharf; lost in the World Trade Center. But we had hope; if anyone could.. John could; he could make it even from the 103rd floor; I told my children that night; that terror has struck at our family; our hearts; our home; My son joined the DEP of the USMC on 17th of Sept 02 when he turned 17; He never wavered; he never faltered; the question that asked why you want to become a marine stated 'For my country; for Myself and for My cousin Sgt. John Scharf” he left on Aug 4 03; and the Recruiter that drove him to where he needed to go..Staff Sgt. David Scharf my sons cousin; brother of John. Those 3 months he was away were the toughest of my life; as I am sure his; while he was at PI; Sept. 11 2003 came; I finally felt able to go to the family site “the pit”.. I brought home bedrock from that site; I sent a piece to my son at PI..”remember why you did what you did..when things are tough; remember real strength; like that of John” My son became a Marine Oct. 31 2003; It was the proudest moment of my life ; and I brought a piece of that rock with me to PI we never found John.. but if someone looks close enough; In that Iwo Jima Statue; In front of the parade deck; there is a rock; and it is one of your own ; It is the spirit and dust of one Sgt. John G. Scharf.. and he's home.
(Johns profile can be found in Portraits of 9/11 by Time Magazine)