Parris Island, South Carolina

Finally! My baby brother graduated from Marines Boot Camp on August 28, 2009! The whole experience was emotionally draining and left us all on a huge high for several weeks. The festivities started off on Wednesday night, when we pulled out of our driveway. We had a caravan down to Parris Island with Gram, Papaw, Hannah, and Pop. The plan was to spend the night at the hotel on base, because we were to report to the parade deck by 7:00 a.m. on Thursday. Gram had all the arrangements done prior to us leaving...or so we thought! Since we got such a late start leaving, we didn't roll onto base until well after midnight, in fact, I think it was some time after 1 a.m. We were told by the guardsmen where the hotel was and that was that. Well, after driving around the base for what seemed like an eternity, we found no hotel. The only one on base was clearly being renovated as it had no windows or doors. There are strick rules on base such as no cell phone use while driving, and the stinking speed limit is 15! Needless to say, we were all tired, cranky, hungry, and just wanted a bed to nap in! Remember we all in different cars, so it was getting difficult to try to all stay together, but as we drove back up to the guard shack, we were told we were on the wrong base! We now had to drive 20 minutes out of our way to the Naval/Marines base where our hotel was located. We finally got settled into our rooms after 2 a.m., where Mackenzie proceeded to play until our alarm went off at 4:45 a.m.

Parris Island holds recruit graduation every single Friday with the exception of holidays. On the Thursdays before graduation, they have what is called "Family Day". All family members meet in the bleachers of the parade deck where they see their Marine for the first time. All the Marines are in their platoons and go through a set of stretches before they all take off for their 4 mile motivational run. It was such an overwhelming experience seeing my brother for the first time. We were unable to talk to him until 10 a.m. that morning due to all the Marines having to go back to the barracks to clean up and get dressed for Family Day. As we all sat in the All Weather Training Facility we told what the recruits have been going through and so on. Then, on the far side of the facility, a large garage door opened and in they marched. I was speechless, choked up, and so giddy all at the same time. The senior drill instructors were all introduced and then volunteers slowly started releasing the ropes (much like the ones you see at your local bank) and we were free to hug, kiss, bombard, attack, etc. our Marines! Again, completely overwhelming. My brother was so ready to eat after all the excitement and we all had a nice family picnic with all of my brother's favorite foods from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 .p.m.

Very hard to see, but here are the Marines running on their motivational run.
Mackenzie was very confused over all the excitement. Remember, she didn't sleep when we got to the hotel. She slept the whole 5 hour drive to South Carolina, so she was ready to party by the time we got to the hotel. She was clearly over the fact that we were up and at'em so early in the morning!
Returning from the motivational run.
Matt, Trevor, and Michael's platoon, 3066
With music playing, the door opening, and the Marines marching in, it was very hard to hold it together.