Hope for the Future

Well the weather here has been surprisingly nice given my location. It's been in the 80's to low 90's. Everyday feels like a Monday, and days and weeks tend to blend into one another. The only time I realize its Saturday or Sunday is when I send emails to people in the states and don't hear back from them for 2 days. My wife has really done a great job of sending me pictures of my son and daughter. I see my daughter growing up 1 picture at a time. My son can carry a conversation with me as if I was right there and hang onto every word. I wish I could be in the car going to the beach with them, or playing catch with my son in the yard. But I'm here supporting those brave service members that leave the wire who bring death and destruction to those who try to bring harm our way. I'm not sure what your political view on this thing is, and honestly regardless of what it is, everyone has a value argument. I just hope that you support everyone
over here that is away from a wife, son, daughter…. Carrying out the orders of those select few elected into office of this beautiful thing we can America. I hope 10-20 years from now that when we look back and a positive change will have been made. I think to me personally that will be the thing that bothers me most…. At this point the best we can do is execute our mission to the best of our ability and pray for a brighter future for this country and our own.

a knock at the door

It was a typical night like every other. Just doing what we had to do to keep our minds off of everything and anything. The word was being passed. When I first got the word, thoughts raced through my mind about him or her, their life, the mother, the father, the wife, the daughter, the son, the brother, the sister. I knew that someone somewhere soon was about to get the news that would forever change this day for them. I visualized the knock on the door of the wife or mother and thought how bad that would hurt….. It just gave me an unsettling settling feeling inside me. It's the thought of all those that will be effected by this. The son that has a father that will never return to play catch, the wife that is given the folded flag that will no longer have her partner. The best we can do is pray for the loved ones of he that has passed and hope that time will eventually heal the pain they feel….I didn't serve with you directly, or even know
your name at this point; however my thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this very tough time.

You have reached your final leg

I've arrived. I got a little bit of a turn over and now I'm running the show. Essentially I'm in charge of running the Airfield for the base I'm stationed on. This is something unique that I've never done in my career and I'm getting to work and talk with all the different branches, civilians, and even some other countries. The fact that I'm getting to do this in combat support role is even more humbling. I feel blessed that I've gotten to talk with my wife via email and phone. It's a different Marine Corps here, and honestly as far as that goes it's a better Marine Corps. Marines are focused on the mission and supporting those that go into harm's way. Attached is a photo from my journey to my final destination.