Veteran's day Tribute and a Marine (recruit) update

Today has been a little emotional.  Okay, maybe a lot.  I've read and watched beautiful and moving tributes honoring veterans all day via blogland and facebook.  I've been touched by the thoughts and feelings of respect shown towards the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms and serve their fellow Americans.  A common phrase I have read is "A veteran is one who signed a blank check for their country".  I think that is very appropriate.  Some checks were extremely large.  Years of service that called them away from their families for long, extended periods of time, injured bodies, fallen friends, loss of peace of mind and lifetimes of physical and mental challenges.  Some signed blank checks that ended up being the sum of their entire accounts.  Their very lives.  And, at the time of their "signing", they had no idea what their total would end up being.  It was indeed a blank check.  That thought humbles me.  Immensely.  To the point that I have thought about my post all day long and can't quite find the right words.  Every time I try to, I cry.  Forming words in my head doesn't happen, instead my heart just swells with love and respect.  Pure and unadulterated admiration.  I think that is the only tribute I can give via my blog.  My real tribute comes in living worthy of their sacrifices.  Every day.  Appreciating my freedoms.  Being involved in the welfare of my country.  As was said to Private Ryan in Spielberg's  "Saving Private Ryan":   'James.......earn this......earn it'.
My tribute will be much more than just today, it will be the rest of my life attempting to 'earn it'.  To deserve the freedoms that I have. 

Got a letter from 'dawg yesterday.   This very day, at sunrise, he will have earned his Eagle, Globe and Anchor and the PRIVILEGE of calling himself a Marine.  Of course, the minute I woke up, I was thinking about him.  Knowing he was climbing that last mountain.  How was he doing?  Did he need to be helped?  Did he help someone else?  Literally, as I was waking in the pre-dawn hours, he was finishing his Crucible.  He's been on my mind all day long.  I can't wait to hear all about it.  I know it will have been a life changing event that he will never forget.  Veteran's day will now ALWAYS be a day of remembrance for our family.  For ever more.  How fitting that he completes the final test on Veteran's day.   I see no coincidences in life.  It's for a reason. 

Actually got 3 envelopes from MCRD yesterday.  I would rather post them now, than wait for Monday.
The first was an envelope from the branch missionary couple serving there.  It was a flier with information about the Family Day Luncheon and a handwritten note in the side margin:
"What a fine young son you have.  He has been a great prayer leader.  We look forward to meeting you."
Well, Elder and Sister Griffith's, we look forward to meeting you too!

The second contained a quick note and a pink receipt:
MOMMA & DAD -
ATTACHED TO THIS IS MY TAX WRITE OFF DONATION SHEET. I AM DONATING $5 EACH PAYCHECK TO THE GREAT DADS FOUNDATION.  PLEASE FILE THIS AWAY SAFELY  DAD  : )

5 DOLLARS IS EQUIVALENT TO A MEAL AND I FIGURE IT'S A GREAT CHARITY TO HELP STRUGGLING SINGLE FATHERS.

THANKS MOM & DAD
LOVE YOU GUYS!
SEE YOU THURSDAY!!
-RECRUIT CATMULL
'SEMPER FI'

The third envelope had our real letter:

DEAR FAMILY!

AIGHT.  AIGHT.  SO.

WHAT'S GOOD??  I GOTTA START BY SAYING SORRY MOM AND DAD.  I WAS THRILLED TO CALL YOU GUYS, BUT I LITERALLY HAD A DRILL INSTRUCTOR RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I CALLED YOU BOTH SO I HAD TO STAY STRICTLY BUSINESS AND I HAD TO MAINTAIN MY BEARING, BUT !!  I WAS SO HAPPY TO JUST HEAR YOUR GUYS' VOICES : )

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HANDLING SO MUCH AT HOME FOR ME, IT'S REALLY HELPING ME STAY STRESS FREE HERE!  WE FINISHED OUR FINAL PFT LAST WEEK!  OUR PLATOON TOOK 1ST! : )  I DID SO WELL.  I IMPROVED MY STATS LIKE CRAZY FROM THE START OF B.C. TIL NOW.

IST (INITIAL STRENGTH TEST)
PULL UPS - 8
3 MILE RUN - 21:45
CRUNCHES IN 2 MINUTES - 87

FINAL PFT
PULL UPS - 16
3 MILE RUN - 18:40
CRUNCHES IN 2 MINUTES - 115

I WAS IN GOOD SHAPE TO START, BUT I'M IN GREAT SHAPE NOW : )

I'M IN CHURCH RELAXING RIGHT NOW.  IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK.  WE HAD OUR COMPANY COMMANDERS INSPECTION YESTERDAY (ASK THE COLONEL ABOUT THE STRESS OF IT) HA  HA   I DID WELL.  MY UNIFORM WAS PERFECT.  I LOVE LOOKING FRESH.  I AM PRETTY GOOD AT LOOKING GOOD  HAHAHAHAH  J/K    I TAKE LOTS OF PRIDE IN MY UNIFORM THOUGH.

I AM ABOUT TO HEAD OFF FOR THE CRUCIBLE AFTER CHURCH.  I AM SO FRICKIN EXCITED.  THE FINAL TEST.  THE LAST THING I HAVE TO DO.  IT'S SUNDAY AND ON THURSDAY.....I WILL BE A UNITED STATES MARINE!!! : )
AHHHHHH  ....

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU GUYS.  WE ARE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN WHEN I LEAVE HERE

ANOTHER QUICK UPDATE.  MY MOS HAS BEEN MADE OFFICIAL.  I AM 2100 GROUND ORDNANCE TECHNICIAN.  I AM THE GUY WHO MAKES, TESTS AND WORKS IN THE PRODUCTION OF WEAPONS AND GROUND WEAPONRY AND EQUIPMENT. (AS FAR AS I KNOW)  IT'S CRAZY HOW MUCH THINGS CAN CHANGE.  I'M JUST HERE TO SERVE SO WHEREVER THEY PUT ME IS WHERE I WILL WORK HARD AT.

I WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT IT SOON I AM SURE.  I WILL EXPLAIN IT ALL WHEN I SEE YOU GUYS NEXT WEEK! : )

PLEASE WRITE  BACK TO THIS SO I CAN HAVE MY MAIL DURING MARINE WEEK AND LET ME KNOW THE LATEST AND WHAT THE PLANS ARE AND ETC.  HA HA

I LOVE & MISS YOU GUYS
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK
HAVE A GREAT WEEK
- RECRUIT CATMULL
'SEMPER FI'

I think this might be the last letter we actually get from him.  He usually writes on Sunday's and then we get it Wednesday, but next Wednesday we'll all be on our way to him.  I'm getting one last one off in the morning so he does have something to read during Marine week, and then I will wait patiently for Thursday.  What if I can't help myself and run across the field and jump into his arms and hug him?  Think that will earn me some IT?  (incentive training).  Guess I better work on my self-restraint between now and then eh?

Until then, I'm off to google what his new MOS is and see how I am going to feel about that.  Is it sad that my biggest fear is that it will mean he will go to school in CA and not in NC?  I was looking forward to a trip to the east coast : )

Happy Veteran's day - I hope you had an opportunity to show your appreciation to a veteran
and to my new Marine family........
Semper Fi
from the latest Marine Mom to join the ranks.