Ours especially:
SN2 in this picture in the way back.
We were visiting family in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta.
That is his "big" sister standing next to him. They were both in awe of the goings on.
Later we would know him as the fierce defense man and sometime center man on his Ice Hockey teams.
He skated for two teams, he was the Captain of his high school team and he skated for the PA Predators, a local Club Team.
But we were proudest of him while he served as a US Marine.
Here he is in Afghanistan displaying the whimsical humor that we know and love.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 5th Marines which were deployed into Helmand province. SN2's Company was assigned to the Nawa District and the men quickly built themselves a Combat Outpost from which to patrol.
The Navy CB's came in and built the perimeter using the now famous HESCO barriers which are basically huge sandbags.
But the Marines of Charlie Company were not totally satisfied with their new digs and commenced to improve.
Here you can see them digging a shelter out of the desert. By hand.
Well, they had a lot of spare time. It's the Marine way.
Here he is patrolling in Nawa, SN2 was trained as a Mortarman and even when in the COP was responsible for the mortar squad in camp. These squads provide support to the foot patrols from inside the COP. So, he was busy no matter on Patrol or in camp.
SN2 would experience things that one only experiences while in the military. The close fellowship that comes with living with men in the dirt, taking fire from a common enemy and yes, eating things you would not have before.
Like Melons. Growing up we could not get this kid to eat melons of any kind.
Who knew all you had to do was shoot at him and he would eat them with relish.
Like flying in strange aircraft. Here he is in an MV-22. the most famous plastic aircraft in the military inventory.
His Company wtihin the Battalion was the Air Assault Company so he got to ride in most every helocopter the Marines and Army flew. T
he CH-46, CH-53, H-1 Huey and MV-22 in the Marine inventory and the H-60 and the HH-47 Chinook. He did say that the H-60 Blackhawks were a much best ride of all, even over the V-22.
he CH-46, CH-53, H-1 Huey and MV-22 in the Marine inventory and the H-60 and the HH-47 Chinook. He did say that the H-60 Blackhawks were a much best ride of all, even over the V-22.Here he is in an MV-22, they are being flown out of their COP and out to the huge Camp Leatherneck and eventually for their flight out of the AOR and back to the states.
Here we are with My Father in Albuquerque back in June of this year.
SN2 returned from Afghanistan and later left the Marines. A relief to his Mother and to me too, to be honest. But his time in the Corps will haunt him like my days in the Navy haunt me. Though no one shot at me during my 9 years in the Navy, I did have many a brush with death on the Flight Deck. And of course the impressions and experience you carry with you no matter what you wear.
And here he is back at home in the Swamp. He has a civilian job now and he is playing Ice Hockey again, in an adult league. 
Good to have him home. Happy B-Day Marine.
BT: Jimmy T sends.
3 comments:
Your son is such a handsome young man - I bet you are glad to have him home. Thank you for raising such a man and thank him for serving.
A tip o' the old blue service cap to both you and your Marine on this Vets Day, Jimmy. A salute, too.
Lou, thanks I'll pass on your gratitude. He is a humble person as well, to the point of making us promise not to have a large celebration upon his arrival home. One the locals here were ready to throw down for him but we held them off. Makes a Father proud!
Buck, and a tip of my Dixi Cup hat to you too!! Though our generation of veterns don't get the credit but we did hold the line during those Cold War years!!
BT: Jimmy T sends.
Post a Comment