Return to civilian life

Well, it has been way too long since I posted on this blog.  However, I wanted to say that today my daughter became a civilian again.  She received her Honorable Discharge today after four years and a few days from the time we said our goodbyes as she was whisked away to Parris Island for boot camp.

There was some good, some bad and a lot that would fall in between.  My daughter is coming home now; today driving with an SUV full of her possessions.  Quite a change compared to the $20 bill, drivers license, small folder with her military papers and the clothes on her back she took with her at the start of this journey.

I'm really proud of her service.  Choosing the Marines was certainly not the easy route.  She is stronger and better for it though.

Next for her is some time to decompress and enjoy family before heading back south in August to start her next adventure; college.

I know she will do well.  College, and Life for that matter, are not so much about how smart you are (although she is) as it is about discipline and hard work.  Things the Marines have taught her well.

A note from my daughter may sum it up best.

"It's been real. It's been fun. It's not always been real fun."

US Marines 235th Birthday

Today marks the 235th Birthday of the US Marines. One of the longstanding traditions is a formal ball to mark the celebration. Last Year Lisa's Unit held their ball in Las Vegas. This year's ball was held last weekend at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. It is an opportunity for them to dress up in their formal Dress Blues.

A very sad story

Below is a link to a story about Rex Kevin Brown, one of Lisa's Marine friends from 29 Palms. They worked closely together on the same mechanics crew. Using his accumulated leave to get out a few weeks early he planned to return home to Indiana and start college.

Tragically he and his mother died on the way home. Sometimes "unfair" doesn't come close to describing life; "Tragic" seems inadequate.

Mother and Son Killed in Accident

Two killed in crash on I-75 near Perry

By BECKY PURSER — bpurser@macon.com

Posted: 12:00am on Sep 9, 2010; Modified: 12:12am on Sep 9, 2010

Two people were killed in a single-car crash on Interstate 75 early Wednesday near Perry, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The victims were identified as Maria L. Boyle, 53, and Rex Kevin Brown Jr., 22, of Lafayette, Ind., GSP Cpl. Elbert Slappy said.

Witnesses told authorities a black Hyundai with Indiana tags was traveling north in the far left lane when it suddenly veered to the right, crossed the middle and right lanes and traveled down a ditch and into the woods, Slappy said. The driver’s side of the car crashed into a tree, and the force of the impact spun the car around, Slappy said. The car came to rest facing west, he said.

The crash near mile marker 139 in Houston County was called in to GSP at 8:21 a.m.
The mother and son were the only passengers in the car, Slappy said.
Slappy said he suspects Boyle, who was driving, either fell asleep or became distracted, over-corrected and lost control of the car.

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2010/09/09/1257600/two-killed-in-crash-on-i-75-near.html#storylink=cpy

Memorial Day Video

Here is a Memorial Day video I put together Sunday after taking many of the pictures Saturday afternoon. It is about the only thing I've done all weekend and Cheryl and I both have come down with a bug.

Long due update

The latest:

• Lisa got her wish to leave 29 Palms. In July she will be transferring to a similar Motor T unit at Camp Pendleton, just north of San Diego. She will finally escape the 110 degree days in the dessert. I know she will miss some of her co-workers and her roommate. Her new unit is available for deployment overseas although it is not scheduled at this time.

• Lisa and her roommate, are returning from a trip to visit her roommates family is South Dakota. They took off Friday night and drove all night to arrive on Saturday. Can you say Road Trip! Her roommate is also Native American and hails from the Rosebud reservation.

• Lisa will be home for some leave in early August including the Pow Wow. She is participating in a wedding on Saturday but expects to be in Siletz on Friday evening and Sunday. I don't know the exact days yet and she is undecided if she is driving, or flying up.
  

Hip problems again

Well after doing better for awhile, Lisa's hip is giving her a major problem again. She made here stop running this morning and sent her of to have it checked out again. They did some MRI's earlier this year but nothing was conclusive and things were better for awhile.

So if you think to say a prayer for her I know she would appreciate it. She returns to see the doctors again tomorrow (Wednesday).

Driving the ultimate All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV)

Lisa sent this picture of her standing next to the new M-ATV. This is specifically designed for use in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.

Lisa said since they are new there isn't much work to be done on them. But she does get to drive them around which she, and I, both think is pretty cool!

To see M-ATV in action go here and/or here for video.

The M-ATV is built by Oshkosh (they have come a long ways from making kids clothes) . Here is a more detailed description:

Oshkosh Defense is committed to providing the best protection and mobility to our Warfighters – through the most threatening terrain, in the most treacherous of circumstances. They get that with the Oshkosh® M-ATV. Because it’s engineered specifically for their difficult missions – to move them in and get them out as safely as possible.

The Oshkosh M-ATV incorporates rugged, durable, patented components and systems for maximum Warfighter mobility and survivability. Derived from the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) platform, the M-ATV incorporates the proprietary TAK-4® independent suspension system with battle-tested technology. It has the wheel travel, payload capacity, side slope stability, vehicle durability, extreme mobility and necessary Warfighter protection for today’s fight. In today’s most challenging battle zones, the M-ATV is the combat-tested, mobile, survivable, durable solution – the solution to getting Warfighters to the fight and back again.

Personally, I think it would be pretty cool to tailgate in one of these. Maybe at next years Rose Bowl if Oregon can come up with a quarterback and I can come up with $500,000.