Any parents of military personnel out there?

[ChrisL 2]

My son just shipped out to boot camp at Parris Island.

He wants to be a Marine real bad.

I wish like hell he had stayed at home and gone to school or something
but this is what he wanted to do.

I told him 72 million times that I wouldnt think any less of him if he chose
a safer path, but he wanted this and wouldnt be swayed.

I'm so god damned proud of him.

6 months from now will likely see him in a place where many people want to see you dead for no other reason than you are from the USA
and that absolutely terrifies me.

My wife is a basket case and its all I can do to calm her fears.\
In her mind, joining the Marines is tantamount to a death sentance.

I sure as hell cant voice my own fears to her. That would just add to her paranoia.

Obviously thats not the case at all and I try to reassure her that the odds
of that are small.

Small or not, though, its a real posibility and its terrifying to think about

__

My mighty steed

[SkydiveStMarys 0]

Chris,

What your son has done is a very noble and honorable thing...I have a lot of family members that are military, friends for that matter too. I am in awe of them. (I have two boys, though small 8 and 11, they both want to go into the military and follow both their Grandfathers footsteps, which brings a tremendous amount of pride and fear to me)

I will keep you, your wife and especially your son in my prayers. Please keep us posted as to his progress.

HooRah!!

Bobbi

A miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude.

[Rebecca 0]

How could you not feel overwhelming fear when your love for him is so great? You absolutely have my sympathy and best wishes for his safety.

I hope he makes himself proud and keeps his head on a swivel.

Sounds like you raised a confident young man, self-assured of his path in life. I hope you and your wife are proud of yourselves too.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[freeflir29 0]

www.marineparents.com/usmc/support-groups-details.asp?ID=40



You may find some good things there. I luckily only know this situation from your son's side. I have been giving my poor parents heart attacks for a very long time now. My Dad actually cried the day I was leaving for Iraq. They were incredibly worried about me. They are a little better now that I have spent about a year and half in Iraq without a scratch. Of course, when I told my Mom I may be going back to Baghdad soon she didn't like that much. I know it's tough but try and be supportive as best you can. I know people that literally lie to their families about where they are so they won't worry. I never wanted to do that. I figured I owed them more than that. It sucks but you have to let him follow his own path. If it helps any..........Iraq isn't nearly as dangerous as the news make it out to be. Just depends on where you are standing.



Oh............and one other thing. People were all worried about me going to Iraq. Since I first went there I have known no less than 4 people that have died due to plane crashes, BASE jumping, motorcycle accidents, etc etc. Most days I think I am safer being there than being at home.

[ChrisL 2]

Quote

Oh............and one other thing. People were all worried about me going to Iraq. Since I first went there I have known no less than 4 people that have died due to plane crashes, BASE jumping, motorcycle accidents, etc etc. Most days I think I am safer being there than being at home.

My son rides a Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R. Thats not a problem in and of itself.
The fact that he thinks he is really good at it is where the problem lies.

I've tried to tell my wife that he is safer in the Marines than he is at home riding

__

My mighty steed

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

I've tried to tell my wife that he is safer in the Marines than he is at home riding

You're are most likely very correct. He'll have lots of people looking after him and a list of safety procedures for doing everything including going to the bathroom.