My son just graduated from Marine boot camp at MCRD San Diego on September 6th. Not only did I travel from Missouri, 1643 miles to MCRD San Diego, to see him graduate 8 others went also.
PFC Derek M Rea
Sincerely,
Grace Rea
Proud Marine Mom
Category: Marine Families
Second Generation
This is me, my wife, my brother, and my son Ron Montgomery III (second generation MARINE). He was in Platoon 2074 that graduated on 9-20-13. Here we are standing on those Oh, SO FAMOUS yellow footprints at Parris Island… Thanks for any info you can provide.
Little Guy In Desert Diggies
Bradley is a big 7 month old! He is our first baby, we've been married for 6 years. My husband, Nick, spent 4 years active duty in the USMC based out of 29 Palms. We now live in WA state near to family and Nick now has a career in law enforcement. Bradley and I are home together and enjoy every moment!
Deployment Poem
Our son PFC Vincent Smejkal deploys for Afghanistan November 1st. Please keep him in your prayers.
Homes For Our Troops
On June 23, 2013, Marine Corps League Detachment 1198 from Jarrettsville, Maryland provided the Color Guard for a ground breaking ceremony. A home is now under construction for Corporal Jeffery Kessler, his wife Morgan and their two sons. Homes For Our Troops is building his house in Rising Sun, Maryland. Jeffery lost both legs and partial amputation of fingers on his right hand when he was on his third deployment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan where he was wounded by an IED. It is with great pride that MCL Detachment 1198 supports the Troops.
Semper Fi… The Miracle That That Brought Me Back From Death
February 2, 2013, Lexington, MA. It was a windy and cold New England type day. I was just finishing up my morning exercise walk of one mile and proceeded up the stairs to my front door where I entered and sat down on the living room sofa to take my wife and sister-in-law shopping. Suddenly they noticed I was motionless, just sitting and staring into space with my mouth wide open. My wife exclaimed to her sister, ”There’s something wrong with him. Shake him!” Her sister shook me and nothing happened. I still remained motionless, as if in a trance. They immediately called 911. The voice on the other end said, “Put your ear next to his mouth and tell me if he’s breathing.” “He’s not breathing,” answered her sister. Within minutes, the ambulance with its complement of EMTs was on the scene. They rolled the patient of the floor, tried the paddles, all to no avail. Within minutes I was transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA., one of the premier hospitals in the New England area.
Proudest Dad
This is a little longer than I'd like but stick with it – it's a worthwhile story of how I became the proudest dad in the Corps.
My son had some troubles in his first semester of college. Nothing terrible, he’s was always a great kid for example, at 17 he was an open ocean lifeguard with many saves to his name – yeah – that kind of kid with character a mile wide and a mile deep. As a freshman in college he was only doing the same things that other freshman were doing – he just got caught and because he is an honest kid – "yes, that's my alcohol in the room" – got punished.
Proudest Dad in the Corps
This is a little longer than I'd like but stick with it – it's a worthwhile story of how I became the proudest dad in the Corps.
My son had some troubles in his first semester of college. Nothing terrible, he’s was always a great kid for example, at 17 he was an open ocean lifeguard with many saves to his name – yeah – that kind of kid with character a mile wide and a mile deep. As a freshman in college he was only doing the same things that other freshman were doing – he just got caught and because he is an honest kid – "yes, that's my alcohol in the room" – got punished.
Arlington National Cemetery
I had the opportunity for me and my son to visit the Arlington National Cemetery this past July 9th. It was a once in a life time experience, and I'm truly glad we made the trip. We were up there in the area to see my oldest daughter graduate from her AIT school at Ft. Lee. We took the rest of the day to visit our Nation's capital and see the main sights. I really wanted to get to the Arlington National Cemetery since I was a kid, and knew that was the first place we needed to go. It was an experience that I almost can't explain. I didn't realize how large of grounds it covers, and we had to take the tour and get it all in. I was in awe of the history that is there. And we definitely caught the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and watched the 'Changing of the Guards'… it was amazing! We took in as much as time would allow and as we left we ran into this young man. Extremely polite and highly professional. His job was to take anyone that needed a ride to and from the cemetery. My son, met him, thanked him for his service to our country and wanted to get a picture with him. He was great to meet and as always, stood out.
Freelancing PFC
While a young PFC stationed at Marine Detachment Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico, in 1980, I received a letter from my younger brother who was at MCRD SD. I was shocked, and over joyed, as I did not know he was joining Our Beloved Corps. Needless to say, over the next couple of months he received many letters from me with all sorts of nasty comments on the envelopes about DI’s in general. He came out of Boot Camp one stronger Marine thanks to me.