Mar 27 2009
Our Newly Minted Marine
Graduation at Parris Island, SC
Folks, sorry for the lack of posts but I think you will all understand when you learn we went to the graduation of our newly minted US Marine and have been on the road for days now. Might be able to get back to posting this afternoon and weekend some, but needless to say our family events have are all our attention at the moment.
Semper Fi!
Feel free to post a comment to SJStrata – now A US Marine.
You represent us, thank you SJ, our love and support goes where ever you are. Kathie
Congratulations and good luck young man.
I am sure your parents are proud of you.
Semper Fi…your son will truly understand the catchphrase “once a marine, always a marine” because it is simply true.
May he serve well, with honor and return home safely.
jwb
USMC (1969-1973)
Congrats…
Had he gone through MCRD San Diego we could have got together for a lunch. I would have treated – obviously.
Maybe some time soon…
SJ,
Congrads getting through one of the most hardest endeavors of your life. You did it, You succeeded where many have failed. Welcome to the military family. As you are learning now, there is no other family like it. You have many brothers and sisters now, all over the globe. THey will always be there for you, the rest of your life. God bless you, and keep you safe in his loving arms.
CJ and Major J (AF wife)
Congrats SJ, you are now beginning what will be a very memorable part of the rest of your life. I’m nearly 70 and I served in my teens and still remember it like it was yesterday. Enjoy your time, you will benefit greatly from your experiences.
SJ, you have experienced what might be your first “world changing” event. I say “world changing” rather than “life changing” because it changes the context in which you view the entire world. There will be other such changes … your first born will do that to you, too.
You have now evolved an important step beyond the peers you left behind. You know with certainty that you can do things you didn’t think you could do. You have struggled and persevered. You are a United States Marine not because it was your right, not because you were entitled to be, but because you earned it and were judged fit to be a Marine based not on your station in life by based on your own merit.
Just remember, the two most dangerous people in the world are a lieutenant with a screwdriver and a corporal with a clipboard. Avoid both.
Oh, and congratulations, Marine!
Congratulations
and
Thank You Marine
Congratulations…and Semper Gratus!
SJ,
A sincere congratulations and best of luck in whatever path you travel from today forward.
AJ,
I truly wish that I had known that you were going to be in my neck o’ the woods. I would have loved the opportunity to treat you to lunch or at least a cup of coffee. Heck, I could have even saved you some hotel expenses.
Congratulations to you as well. I am quite sure that you are swollen with pride as your son embarks on this new undertaking.
I hope that you had the opportunity to explore Beaufort while you were here. It is a fantastic place.
Congrats, and prayers of protection!
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
Congratulations, SJStrata! All the best!
Congratulations! I know your family must be proud. People like you have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for loving and serving our country.
Another man added to our ranks. Congratulations are the orders of the day.
I did mine in December 1964.
http://miketrani.com/blog/
http://mike630.vox.com/
“Semper Fi”
“Death before Dishonor”
Congrats, SJ. You’re a credit to this country, and your family.
Ooh rah.
BGG,
Tried to email you but the emails are bouncing. Still in Beaufort today (ajstrata@strata-sphere.com)