On May 24th of this year, I had the honor of attending my son's college graduation with a math degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. It had been a long time coming since he had enlisted as a Marine reservist and missed several semesters due to boot camp and training, then a tour in Ramadi, Iraq along with more training that was required before deployment.
He went to Quantico for officer candidate school at the end of his freshman year. Unfortunately, he had injured his leg due to over-training before his arrival and was not able to surmount the rigorous demands that require top physical conditioning before arrival. After some weeks there, the colonel sent him home after a thorough butt-chewing, and threatened to bust him down if he returned with the intention of wasting any more of their time. I guess it takes guts to be a Marine because he returned after junior year with renewed determination and this time he succeeded. I guess altogether, between Parris Island and two visits to Quantico, he has nearly 30 weeks of boot camp under his belt, certainly more than most.
Finally, university graduation date arrived. My son was one of hundreds of graduating seniors, whose plans were announced as part of the ceremony. Some had jobs lined up, others intended to continue with graduate school, still others would begin the search for employment. There was even one young lady who was scheduled to get married on a beach in the Caribbean the following Wednesday. Finally the time came for 6'6" Corporal Robert M Locke to walk across the stage and receive his degree before a heretofore relatively tame audience. The announcer concluded with his introduction by saying, "A few hours from now he will be sworn in as an officer in the United States Marine Corps." The audience instantly erupted in cheers and applause. What a thrilling end to a lot of hard work. And it was a reassuring proof that with all the sour ranting of a predominantly liberal media, the heart and soul of America remains grateful and supportive.
Semper Fidelis
Bob Locke
Marine Dad