While the journey from the Eastern Shore all the way to Paris Island and back seemed like a forever long one, it was nothing compared to the months Kyle spend in Basic Training. Of course I had a million questions to ask Kyle last night when they returned but instead I just let him tell us whatever he thought we might be interested in. I'll save my questions for another day.His voice was horse and his days started every morning at 4:00 AM and they went to bed at 10:00 PM. Man, who'da ever thunk it! Kyle was one of those kids that loved to party all night and sleep till 3:00 PM, if you know what I mean.
He left a Boy and without any question about it he returned a Man. He was up at 4:00 AM this morning and had already run several miles. Jennifer got up this morning and found him in the front yard doing sit ups. Today is his day to shine. He asked to borrow one of the cars so he could go visit his Grandfather Art Goetz, also a Marine (now 80 years old) and the proudest man in Salisbury. I'm sure they're sharing war stories and completely understanding one and other.
You see, while Kyle was doing most of the talking last night, he seemed to be talking in code. The military has an abbreviation for just about everything. I didn't want to look stupid, (which I obviously was) so I just smiled. Jennifer grew up a Marine Brat, so she knew everything he was saying. I'm glad Kyle chose to go visit his Grandfather on his own because I would have been, huh, what?
Anyhow, we have him home for the next 10 days before he ships out to South Carolina again for more training. He told me last night that he wants to go overseas and see the world while he's young. Oh, the good old days! Well, we'll just have to enjoy it while we've got him because he belongs to the Marines now. Oh, we did give him a cold beer last night to cure that horse throat of his. Man, you should have seen the look on his face after that first sip. I'm telling you, it was that better than sex look!
God Bless The United States Marines and May God Bless This Young Man And Keep Him Safe.
Congrats to the new Marine, and thanks for everything you do!
ReplyDeleteCongradulations Kyle, & Thank-You for protecting this country and my family.
ReplyDelete(Joe, you should give him the car.)
Congratulations!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! He is a very handsome Marine. Thank You Kyle for serving our country so proudly!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You
Welcome back home Kyle! Thank you for what you are doing. I also hope that Patrick had a wonderful birthday too!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Doug, Kyle will earn his own car and be very proud he did so. Knowing this kid he'll come home one day with a tricked out Hummer.
ReplyDeleteBesides, Jennifer and I only have 14 cars. Can you just imagine the hardship we'd have missing one of them. LOL
Way to go Kyle! Nothing like a man in uniform.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kyle for your service and protecting our country.
ReplyDeleteYou and all your fellow servicemen will continually be in my prayers, may you always be strong and safe.
XtraHam
We're an Air Force family with a dad/husband who deploys regularly. Although we're partial, we appreciate the sacrifices ALL of our members of the Armed Forces and their families make. Please thank your son for us.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Joe. Now you have that special gut feeling.Im ex =Navy and my 2 sons never showed interest in the military and I never pressured them.Its a different era now.I lost a nephew[ SEAN MITCHELL] several weeks ago enroute back to his base. That young man had a rough life the last few years prior to graduation and entering the Marines.He came home a proud Marine and young man.Unfortunely at 21 yrs he lost his life. He will never be forgotten. The Marines are having an on Base Serive for him and 2 other Marines that lost their lives in an auto accident abot 10days after Seans accident. God bless them all.EARL
ReplyDeletecongrats and Semper Fi!
ReplyDeleteWell, welcome home Marine! I couldn't be prouder of you for this big change in your outlook and am pleased that you will be training as a Combat Engineer, since that is what I was for the first 13 years of my stay in the Corps. You look great in the photo's and aam pleased to hear you are staying in Marine shape by running and doing situps. That will pay off if you ever get sent to Afganistan and the chances are you will. I am very proud to call you my grandson!!!
ReplyDeleteJoe, where was the next to last picture taken? The brick looks like it is very old and historic.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kyle, for all you do for this country. May God be with you as you continue your good work in the Marines. Joe, this is one of the best columns you have ever done. We hope to see more of this type and, of course, to keep updated on Kyle.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Kyle Joe, thank him for volunteering to defend our country. And that YOU for being a Marine parent.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if Im butting in to some one elses "Moment of Grace", sometimes Life is wonderful. (Everyone tell Joe the MAN has earned a car already, or maybe that BIKE.)
ReplyDeleteKyle, welcome to the club!
ReplyDeleteNow, (don't tell Joe), go and make your career in aviation, then you can bring home some knowledge and stories he could only dream about!!!
My best to you. May GOD bless the US, our serviecmen/women, and its citizens!
"Man, you should have seen the look on his face after that first sip. I'm telling you, it was that better than sex look!"
ReplyDeleteThat's gross
The last two pictures were taken at a place called Sheldon that's in Bull Run near Beaufort SC. It was an old church that was burned down by the British Army in the 1800's and rebuilt only to be burned down again by Sherman and his troops during their push into Georgia. Jennifer happen to come across it on a short cut to Beaufort from I-95. It was a majical place. The Bull family owned it and were burried on the grounds in some beautifully carved tombs and others had the old carved marble headstones.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you Kyle, and may he also keep you safe! Thank you for aiding in protecting our country! Cathy-Jo
ReplyDeleteCan you believe it Cathy, that's our Kyle! Come by and see him. You won't even know who you're talking to.
ReplyDeleteKyle - Congratulations and thank you. Stay safe, you are now on the journey that will define your life and protect our rights as a democratic society. Go Kyle and the Marines. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Art, Jennifer & Kyle. This is a wonderful legacy. Kyle, I'm sure taht your grandfather was elated by your visit and your committment to our country.
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi Devil Dog !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOOOOOOOORAH!!!!!
Thanks Kyle for being a brave man & for defending our freedom! May God watch over you and protect your family! God Bless you sir!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Kyle and congratulations and God speed.
ReplyDeleteHuge congrats!
ReplyDeleteWow Joe. With all your money, I woulda pictured stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteanonymous 11:29,
ReplyDeleteSome like stainless steel, some don't. Just because it's the thing right now for many doesn't mean we particularly like it. There's a lot of maintainance to stainless steel, been there, done that. Black goes just fine in the kitchen and what matters most is the fact that we're very happy with what we have. By the way, our home is paid for, is yours? How's that for stainless steel!
joealbero said...
ReplyDeleteanonymous 11:29,
Some like stainless steel, some don't. Just because it's the thing right now for many doesn't mean we particularly like it. There's a lot of maintainance to stainless steel, been there, done that. Black goes just fine in the kitchen and what matters most is the fact that we're very happy with what we have. By the way, our home is paid for, is yours? How's that for stainless steel!
7:16 AM
ROTFLMAO
Good comeback Joe.
Congratulations Joe & family! How old is Kyle now? He's a true American patriot!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home Kyle and welcome to the family !!! I made the trip to my sons grad 2 1/2 yrs ago and drove straight back.. my son had me in stiches the whole time telling me his experiences at paris Island GOOD LUCK MARINE!!
ReplyDeleteHey Joe
ReplyDeleteWhy not post his age since you are providing him alcohol?
You seem to makew sure everyone else is held accountable for their actions!
Congrats Kyle. Welcome to the Corps brother.
ReplyDeleteLee
Cpl 1961-65
anonymous 3:52, If you had read the previous article you would have clearlyi seen that I said our YOUNGEST had just turned 21 on the 24th. Now shut your fat trap and go away because you're proving to be quite the a-hole. The Fat Man never reads the articles all the way through. His attention span lasts about 8 words.
ReplyDelete