Letters from Marine boot camp

[Mickey's sunshine]

As most of you know, my 18 year old brother left Sunday, June 28th for Marine boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina.

Well I wanted to share that I have received 2 letters from him. When he left he told us (family) not to expect letters because he was not writing us! Well I have got 2 and my mom has received 3.

He says it is "hell" but he is remaining positive and is counting down his graduation. The drill instructors are rough but that is what makes him into a man.....a Marine.

He loves the food, heard it was bad but I guess it is different now. He enjoys learing the martial arts. Oh and on July 4th they had all of the recruits on the parade deck for fireworks! He thought that was really cool.

He says he misses everything but is working hard. And can you believe it is hotter there than in Florida?? (at least he says so)

I am so darn proud of that boy....tomorrow he goes into the gas chamber. Talk about freaky, hope he does okay with that.

 

[zen1]

Hi Christine! I have been think of you and your brother and was wondering how things were going. I think that is really sweet that he is writing to you and your mom( I bet he miss you all very very much). I bet you are very proud of him, I would be too! And I think what he is doing is wonderful and please thank him for me! What is the gas chamber( that sounds really scary to me)?

And Christine, I am keeping all of you in my prayers.

 

[Poohbear123]

Thanks for the update on your Brother. Don't worry he will be OK, and YES he will come out of Bootcamp a MAN! My Older Brother did, in 1963! He was in Vietnam too, wasn't good, but he learned a LOT!

 

[mom2boys]

Our family visited Parris Island on July 2nd - it was HOT! We toured the museum & watched a video about recruit training. Let me tell you, I came away with even more respect for those young men & women.
Thank him for me.

 

[Mark P.]

Congrats to your brother for choosing the Marines!

I went through Parris Island back in '88. Arrived on August 4, and graduated October 26. And yes, that place is HOT!!
Gotta love those Sandfleas, too!

I was only able to write a dozen or so letters while at "the island", and recently found out that my folks kept them all.
What a flashback it was for me to read those letters that I wrote 16 years ago, when I was just 19.
Wouldn't want to do it again, but darn glad I did...

Semper Fi!

 

[Serena]

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Thank you Mark and congrats to you too!


Thank you everyone. Yes, definately proud.


Sarah - they have to teach the recruits how to use gas masks - in case of chemical warfare. Here is a bit from an article I found online: <i>Each group of Marines that entered the chamber spent about five to 10 minutes in the gaseous environment. They exercised to learn what effect hard breathing had on the mask’s seal.

“Then they had us separate the mask from our face for about five seconds to contaminate it,” said Cpl. Kevin Harris. “You just feel your skin burn. That’s it. You hold your breath. But if you do inhale it, it’s very uncomfortable.”

After contaminating the inside of the masks, the Marines cleared their masks by blowing the gas out with hard breaths.</i>

 

[palmtreegirl]

Way to go Brodey! Congrats to him, are you going to drive up for his graduation? If so take lots of pictures!

 

[Dan Murphy]

What a great update, Christine. My continued good wishes for him, and yes, be proud.

 

[zen1]

Originally posted by Mickey's sunshine

Sarah - they have to teach the recruits how to use gas masks - in case of chemical warfare.

Thanks Christine for posting that article.

 

[GeminiMom]

Christine,
Your pride in your brother shines through your posts! I have a very close friend who's daughter went through Parris Island in Aug. 2001, got assigned to Okinawa for almost 2 years & is now stationed in Quantico, VA. She was 19 when she enlisted and had only been in boot camp for a few weeks when the Sept 11 attacks occurred. I feel like she's a second daughter to me & can't tell you how proud I am of her & all our men & women in the armed forces. Julie went through boot camp like she was born for it. She was just recently promoted to Corporal. I remember how nervous we were during the gas chamber test, but she came through it with flying colors. Brodey will do just fine!

Just wanted to also let you that a great source of information & support for families of Marines can be found at www.marinemomsonline.net. My friend has found a second family in the message boards & information that site has provided. Check it out & welcome to the Marine family!!

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Palm tree girl - oh yes, I will definately be there! We have already rented a house to stay at for a few days.

Gemini Mom- thank you so much for your reply! I have found a couple of message boards and they have been very helpful - lots of questions and I have had the chance to talk to people with family in the same batallion and platoon as my brother. Congrats to your "daughter"