Distractions – our new Marine

It comes under the category of distractions, but seeing my grandson finish his Marine Boot Camp is right up there with the good things. His mother, our daughter, came from Washington State to stay with us and attend the Family Day and Graduation Ceremony. It was convenient to live close enough to just whiz down to the MCRD in San Diego and whiz back home when things were done.

Here’s our new Marine and his Mom just after he found us in the crowd. It was interesting to watch him relax as the afternoon wore on and he was enjoying his on-base liberty.

This afternoon, after he graduates he and his Mom are flying home together. After Boot Camp I suspect he is really looking forward to being home again, if only for a short time.

My husband and the grandson had an interesting talk about boot camp since my husband had been here for Navy Boot Camp in 1956 and now his Grandson is also here in 2009 when it’s now a Marine training center.

Let’s get nostalgic for a moment and take a look at the grandson when he was little.

You can see he’s barely bigger than the dog, but even then he was a take-charge kind of guy. He liked to be the leader – even if it was just the dog or his little sister.

This is the first grandchild to join the Armed Services. We are so proud of him – and a little fearful for his welfare. Who wouldn’t be?

Marilynne