Proud Dad

[P95Carry]

Good to hear that Ken - he has much ahead of him. I wish him all the best.

 

[Legionnaire]

Update II

Long overdue update.

My son has corresponded faithfully for the last several weeks. Apparently, he's eating it up. We thank God that he remains healthy, uninjured, and highly motivated. He performed well enough on the water training to earn a telephone call home. His only regret? That he signed up for the reserves rather than active duty.

We're praying for him in a special way this week, as he is getting ready for his "crucible" experience. From one of the Marine website links:

The Crucible emphasizes trainee teamwork under stress. "Recruits get eight hours of sleep during the entire 54 hour exercise," said Sgt. Roger Summers, a Delta Company drill instructor in the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island. "They get two-and-a-half MREs and they are responsible for rationing out the food to themselves. Then we put them through tough physical activities like road marches and night infiltration courses. They march about 40 miles in those 54 hours." Source: http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/basic/#crucible

So he's done in a couple of weeks. His Mom and I are planning to attend his graduation, and I'm looking forward to hearing the stories.

Thanks to all who pray regularly for our troops, and for the private messages and emails I've received. I'm saving them for him to read when he gets home.

 

[P95Carry]

Ken - excellent - glad he is safe and well. Great to have update report, thx for that.

Hope he has gotten some good toughened up skin on his feet - to help with the crucible!!!

Send him best wishes from the ''THR crew'' eh! Two weeks will hopefully fly by for him and you.

Regards

 

[chaim]

His only regret? That he signed up for the reserves rather than active duty.

That, and signing up for combat support instead of the infantry, were the greatest complaints/regrets in my Army basic training company just over 15 years ago. Most people seem to get over the heartbreak soon enough, and if they don't they can always try to switch to active or ask to be retrained (both are pretty rare I think, usually people have to wait for their first enlistment to be up).

 

[Norton]

Ken,

Glad to hear that he's healthy and doing well all around. Invite him on over here to share his experiences when he gets back.

 

[ruger270man]

awesome.. no higher honor than being part of the great military of the United States.

 

[Legionnaire]

Graduation pics. First is his emblem ceremony where they are given the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem and addressed as "Marine" for the first time. Second is platoon passing in review at graduation. Third (sorry for the poor quality) is his Rifle Expert badge ... so he didn't have too many bad habits to unlearn. Family couldn't be prouder. Thanks to all for your well wishes and prayers on behalf of the troops.

 

[P95Carry]

Awesome Ken - I'll bet you need a shirt size bigger - with all that pride swelling you up

Outstanding.

 

[dasmi]

Outstanding! Congratulations, and tell him thanks, from THR.

 

[Norton]

Ken,

That is outstanding! Glad he made it through.

Keep us posted on his advanced training and future duty stations.

 

[Preacherman]

Congratulations to him and to you and his mother, Ken. Please greet him from this combat veteran and tell him to be proud in his service!

 

[Bob F.]

Out-freaking-standing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to him and you and Mom!!

Prayers for his safety!
Bob

 

[Barbara]

Congrats and best wishes to him.

Mine leaves in 6 weeks.