Military WISDOM

I definitly need the stress reliever of a good laugh today!

Most of these jokes are about aviation....hmmm....

"A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when youleast expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit." - Army's magazine of preventive maintenance.

Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher "Aim towards the Enemy."

"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend. - U.S.Marine Corps

"Cluster bombing from B-52s are very, very accurate. The bombs are guaranteed to always hit the ground." - USAF Ammo Troop

"If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

"It is generally inadvisable to eject.... Directly over the area you just bombed." - U.S. Air Force Manual

"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons." - General Macarthur.

"Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo." - InfantryJournal

"You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me." U.S.Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.

"Tracers work both ways." - U.S. Army Ordnance

"Five second fuses only last three seconds." - Infantry Journal

"Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last, and don't ever volunteer to do anything." - U.S. Navy Swabbie

"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid." - David Hackworth

"If your attack is going too well, you're walking into an ambush." Infantry Journal

"No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection." - Joe Gay

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. At least once. "

"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do." - Unknown Marine Recruit -

"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you." - Your Buddies

"If you see a bomb technician running, follow him." - USAF Ammo Troop

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death, I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing." - At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan

"You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3." - Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."

"Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky." - From an old carrier sailor

"If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."

"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."

"Without ammunition.... The USAF would be just another expensive flying club."

"What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up, .... The pilot dies."

"Never trade luck for skill."

The three most common expressions (or famous last words) in aviationare: "Why is it doing that?", "Where are we?" And "Oh S...!"

"Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."

"Progress in airline aviation: Now a flight attendant can get a pilot pregnant".

"Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight."

"A smooth landing is mostly luck; Two in a row is all luck; Three in a row is prevarication."

"I remember when sex was safe and flying was dangerous."

"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; We never left one upthere!"

"Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries."

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."

"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world... It can just barely kill you." - Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)

"A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't... flying his plane to its maximum." - Jon McBride, astronaut

"If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible." - Bob Hoover (renowned aerobatic and test pilot)

"Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."

"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime." - Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970

"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."

Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do notgo near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by....the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there."

"You know that your landing gear is up and locked ... when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."

As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives, the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?".The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!" - Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot)

Gunz Up

Believe it or not we've had another contribution from yet another great blogger!! De'on from Gunz Up has sent us a donation! Thank you so much De'on! You know we've voted you a part of our group don't you? We just consider you our Marine Mom sister in New Mexico.

Be sure and read her posts from Marine Moms Online about "Why Does My Son Want To Be a Marine?". Here is some of part one. She has two up so far.

Why Does My Son Want to be A Marine?

The reasons why some young Americans have chosen to become
United States Marines


As told by their mothers, fathers, wives, and other loved ones


INTRODUCTION

Before our son was to leave for Marine Corps boot camp, I needed to learn why, Why, WHY was he choosing this at this most dangerous time, and of all the branches, why the Marine Corps? He cited a few reasons as “I need more discipline; my life needs to be put into perspective, I will be doing a lot of things I’ve always wanted to do,” none of which I was willing to accept as trade for the risks that I knew lie before him.

Discussions were held with our son for three years about his desire to join, but high school graduation arrived and so did his date for Marine Corps boot camp. We lost the battle. On August 21, 2006, off he went. Feeling lost and defeated, I turned to my ever-reliable confidants, the moms and friends of the support group, Marine Moms Online. Did I ever expect to get such an outpour of responses? Without a doubt, I knew they would come through for me. You see, I am speaking of son #2 who is following in his former Marine brother’s footsteps, so I was well aware and ready to reacquaint myself with the power of this group and the people who comprise it.

I would like to share a summary of stories and the reasons their sons and daughters shared with me, when I asked the group “Why?”

I compiled their replies as a keepsake for myself, but the words are so inspirational that they must be shared. As I read the close to 100 replies, I found myself sitting taller and taller in my computer chair, so tall I might as well have stood -- to salute each and every one of their Marines, and these parents as well, for raising children of such caliber. Ours are an elite breed of kids. They are young men and women who do not stand behind their flag, they stand in front of it, risking their lives, putting their parents’ emotions in peril along side of them, as they fight for what they believe in and are steadfast to protect the freedoms of not only their nation, but that of people in far away lands.

The following are excerpts, slightly modified, to fit into the context of this reporting. Names are removed, but the meanings run deep and clearly depict why a young American chooses to become A United States Marine. In reply to my posting stated as such:

Can anyone tell me why my son wants to be a Marine? I know about Honor, Courage, and Commitment. I know what the Recruiter promised. My son had other options, but said that first, He Must Become A Marine. He didn't share a lot about the whys, just that he had to do it, and is now in his 2nd week of boot camp. I would love to know why some kids chose to serve, and others wouldn't do it if their life depended on it. Can anyone share why they feel their son/daughter chose to become a United States Marine? Is it a "calling?” When does the pride overshadow the fears I have?

A Proud Plaque

Take a look at this website. They are offering a plaque for military families to be displayed outside their home. The plaques are personalized with pictures, branch of service and gender and they look gorgeous! Ten percent of the purchase price will be donated to one of the listed military support organizations, and we are now one of those on the list!! There is also a multiple plaque discount which is good for someone like me with 2 sons serving, or for those who want to buy extras for grandparents, in-laws, or other family members

Here's a quote from the website:

A Proud Plaque


This plaque is intended to be displayed outside of the home of the family of a United States Military service man or woman.

The idea stems from a simple but bold placard that the mother of Senator John Warner from Virginia had placed on their door as her son served in World War II. This was noted in a recent New York Times article on Senator Warner and his distinguished military career.

An excerpt from the September 17, 2006 article reads;

Mr. Warner's convictions ……. stem largely from his personal experience, beginning with his Navy service in World War II. Hanging with the photographs on his office wall is a worn, small placard that his mother displayed on the door of their Washington home from 1944 to 1946:

''There's a Man from this family in the Navy.''

Bootcamp Video III

Be sure to scroll down to watch parts I and II before you watch part III. This video shows a little about the Crucible.

More Love!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Don and Jenn for your donations towards our care packs! We will be able to send LOTS for Valentine's! You are both terrific bloggers, by the way and I'm glad I found your blogs!

Kosovo Video

Kosovo Music Video

My Point Radio

Listen to My Point Radio this morning at 9:30. dtodeen has asked me to call in to talk about our care packs. It'll be fun!

Edit: I had so much fun with this! Dave and Jenn are both so funny and were so nice. I'll have to call in more often! ;) You can still hear the show by clicking the link...one of the cool things about radio on the internet.

Another Thank You!!

We've had another donation from another great blogger! Thank you so much to Kate at An Ol' Broad's Ramblings! I'm amazed at all the support! Y'all are the best and we appreciate it so much! Our Marines and Soldiers are going to love all the goodies.

"Peace" Rally

I know most of you have probably already heard about this so called "Peace" rally this weekend. We've had other things going on lately, but I can't let this pass without comment. Click here to read the transcript from Hannity & Colmes today and you can get to the video from there too. These people should be ashamed of themselves! Where is their sense of decency? They aren't peaceful! How can they treat a disabled veteran in this way?? He was fighting for their right to be ignorant fools! Their hatred and behavior just turns my stomach.

Thanks dtodeen!!

Checked my email this morning to find a PayPal donation from dtodeen! Thank you SO much!! We appreciate both the donation and your support!

Bootcamp Video II

Here is part II in the bootcamp video series from the South Texas TV station.

Some interesting web sites

Hero Bracelets is an organization founded to honor the sacrifices of America's Armed Forces. You can order memorial hero bracelets, deployed hero bracelets, and Purple Heart hero bracelets.

America's Heroes 2007 Calendar. Some of the hottest hunks in the Marine Corps are posing for the America’s Heroes 2007 Calendar to raise money for wounded service members and their families.


The 1/19/07 Commandant Directive. Every Marine Into The Fight.

Moto Mail "Family and friends of deployed Marines in Iraq can NOW send a letter
to be downloaded, printed, and ready for delivery, usually within 24 hours.
THE SERVICE IS FREE, PRIVATE and SECURE."


Soldier's Angels "May no soldier go unloved."

Bootcamp Video

Since we've been talking about bootcamp in our Marine Moms Handbook, I thought you might want a look at the first day or so after they arrive in San Diego. This was filmed by a South Texas TV station.

Donations

**Just bringing this back to the top for those who might have missed it**

Most of you know that Lubbock Marine Parents is a non-profit organization and that we collect donations in order to send out care packs to our troops serving overseas. We have had such great response from Lubbock and the surrounding area. Our goal for our Christmas care packs was 200 and we wound up sending over 250. Our goal for our Valentine mail out is 50 care packs. It would not surprise me a bit if we surpassed that.

For some reason, it never occurred to me that people outside the Lubbock area might want to help or even that it might be easier for people here in town to donate via our blog. Thanks to a suggestion from Pamela at Atlas Shrugs we now have a Paypal account. Our EIN number is listed on the donation form for tax purposes.

**Edit: Pamela has already given us our first Paypal donation (and a really nice one too)!! Thank you SO much!

Marine Mom's Handbook Part III

Marine Moms Guide to Bootcamp: Part I

Sending your son or daughter off to bootcamp is a hard thing for us moms, so those of us who have done it are offering our advice. My sons both went to bootcamp in San Diego, so I can't speak to those headed to Parris Island, but maybe I can get one of our Lubbock Marine Parents who had a daughter go off to PI give you a little more info about that. Most of this advice will apply to either.

One of the first things you can do as a parent, is to establish a good relationship with your son or daughter's recruiter. They have lots of information and can help with any questions you might have. Don't, however, pester the poor recruiter to death! ;) A mom that I know had her son's recruiter calling MCRD to check on him and called the poor recruiter almost every day if not twice a day. That is NOT a good thing!

1. Swearing In:
Depending on how far the MEPS is from you, you may be able to see your future Marine swear in. Our MEPS is in Amarillo. My sons spent the Sunday night before they left in a hotel there and were processed and left the next morning. We drove up the Monday that each of them left to spend the last couple of hours with them and see them swear in. Moms, TRY your best not to lose it in front of your recruit. It's hard enough for him to leave without feeling like his mom is falling apart. I saw a mom get nearly hysterical over her son who left with my oldest son and I could tell it was making things worse. I know it's hard, but be as upbeat as possible. He's facing the biggest, scariest thing he's faced so far and he needs you to be strong for him. You can go out to the car and cry all you want after he leaves.

2. Shipping Out/Phone Calls
Remember that your soon to be recruit will need to take very little with him when he leaves for bootcamp. The recruiters will tell them what they can take, which is pretty much the clothes on their backs, their social security card, and their recruiter's business card. I also sent each of mine with a cheap (like $10) phone card, a very small address book with addresses of family and friends written in it and a $20 bill. The phone card and cash was mostly for the airport layover on the way. Tell them to go ahead and eat up at the fast food places in the airport. It will be the last fast food they will see for 13 weeks! You also might want to send a short note with them to read on the plane and let them know that you will be writing often and that as soon as you have the address you will start mailing the letters. They usually (but not always) get a phone call the first day or two after arriving at MCRD and MAY be able to use the phone card for that. Both my sons got the first phone call, but we missed it with #1 and #2 had to call collect and our phone doesn't accept collect calls. Don't freak if you don't get a phone call. There are hundreds of recruits arriving at the same time, and they may not all be able to fit it in. They may get one or two phone calls at other times in bootcamp, but don't count on it.

3. Letters/ packages:
It will probably be 10 days to 2 weeks before you get that address, but go ahead and start writing. You can mail them all when you get it. The recruits aren't put into their platoons until the Friday after they arrive and the platoon number is part of the address. They call it "Black Friday". It's when they meet their "real" drill instructors, not just the receiving drill instructors for the first time. The first days are very tough for them, so don't be surprised if the first letters you receive are pitiful. I haven't met a Marine yet that didn't think they had made a huge mistake the first week or two of bootcamp. Write lots of letters, but be sure to keep them upbeat. You can send small pictures or print some out on paper to fold in with the letters. Be careful what you send though. The drill instructors will check to make sure the recruits aren't receiving inappropriate pictures. DO NOT decorate the outside of the envelope with stickers, drawings, etc. This will call unwanted attention to your recruit. DO NOT refer to your recruit as a Marine. He hasn't earned that title yet and again, he doesn't need that "extra" attention from his DIs. DO NOT send care packages to your recruit. Unless you are specifically asked to send something to your recruit, don't do it.

To be continued...

New Fall Classes For Men

Sorry guys but in being the helpful person that I am I would not be able to face myself in the mirror if I did not pass on this very sometimes painful but very helpful info...I am sure these are only taught by an all Female Faculty, so if that helps ease the pain any...

FALL CLASSES FOR MEN

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, January 29, 2007

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS,CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.

Classes begin Monday, February 5, 2007

Class 1

How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2

The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3

Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4

Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturday at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5

After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 6

Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM.

Class 7

Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum. Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8

Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9

Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials. Tuesday at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10

Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations.

4 weeks,Saturday noon, 2 hours.

Class 11

Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing. Tuesday at 7:00 PM, location to be determined.

Class 12

How to be the Ideal Shopping CompanionRelaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13

How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14

The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration. Tuesday at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Lubbock Father to Attend State of the Union Address

When the president addresses the nation in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, there will be a special Lubbockite in the audience. Roy Velez, father of fallen Lubbock soldiers Andrew and Freddy Velez, will be Congressman Randy Neugebauer's guest.

The State of the Union comes nearly two weeks after the president told the nation he's sending more than 21,000 additional troops to Iraq. Velez says that's a strategy he supports.

Read the rest of the story here.

Texas Survivor

After reading this post about Rednecks to the rescue at Blue Star Chronicles I just had to share one of my favorite Texas jokes.

New Version of "Survivor" Series to debut...

Network television is developing a "Texas Version" of "Survivor", the
popular TV show.

Contestants must travel from Amarillo through Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston,
San Antonio, and back to Amarillo, through San Marcos and Lubbock
....driving a Volvo with a bumper sticker that reads: "I voted for Kerry, I'm
Gay and I'm Here to Take Your Guns".

The first to complete the round trip is the winner !

Marine Mom Handbook: Part II

Marine Mom Bill of Rights

These are the things that as a Recruit Mom, or Marine Mom, you are entitled to do. It's OK. We all do it too, so you'll fit right in.

You have the right to:

1. Have heart-wrenching sob fits yet be able to "suck it up" and sound normal to answer the phone when the caller ID shows it is your son or daughter.
2. Pull over to side of the road to cry hard enough to fog up the windows when "American Soldier" or "Letters From Home" comes on the radio.
3. Visit the recruiters because you "happen" to be in the neighborhood so you can stare at their uniforms and ask them stupid questions. (It's OK, they're used to it).
4. Ask any young man you see with a "high and tight" if he is a Marine and if so give him a hug. You can hug him if he's a Soldier, Sailor, or Airman too, you might just have to actually ask first.
5. Make the biggest, most glittery "welcome home" sign you can possibly make when your Marine comes home from a deployment, no matter how "un-Marinelike" the sign is.
6. To point and scream "That's my baby!!!" when you first catch sight of your Marine at bootcamp graduation or homecoming. Well, actually you can do this pretty much any old time.
7. To talk about your Marine to anyone at anytime, especially if they are wearing Marine t-shirts or any military clothing item whatsoever. I actually went up to 2 Sailors I saw in uniform at the grocery store one day to tell them about my boys. I'm sure they thought I was nuts. You also have the right to show pictures of your Marines. I keep mine on my key chain, so they are handy to show at any moment.
8. To plaster "My Son/Daughter is a Marine" and "Proud Parent of a U.S. Marine" bumper stickers all over the back of your car and your husband's car.
9. To cry and hug another Marine Mom on first meeting her and feel like you've found a long lost sister.
10. To keep one of the shirts that he left behind unwashed, so you can smell it when you are feeling particularly sad.
11. To decorate your house in red, white and blue even planting red, white and blue flowers in your flower beds.
12. To take goofy pictures (his bed, the Taco Bell sign, Dad making coffee in the morning) to send your Marine when he is at bootcamp or deployed. A hilarious example of this is TXMarineMom1987 taking a picture of her son's car in front of Hooters (with the Hooters girls sitting on top of the car) while he was at bootcamp.
13. To keep on hand plastic yellow ribbons so you can tie a new ribbon on the tree out front every day he/she is deployed. ( I can tell ya where to get the ribbon)
14. To sleep on his bed the first night or two after he leaves for bootcamp or deployment.

Next: Marine Mom Guide to Bootcamp

Winter Weather Poem

I found this very short, to the point poem and thought I would share with you all.

" WINTER "
a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre

CRAP!
It's Cold !

Military Friends

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for week.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Never ask for food.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Never have much food but will share all they have with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Call your parents mom and dad.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Cry with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!"

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...

MILITARY FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no civilian could ever dream of...

Youngest Marine Cadence

Here's yet another video pointed out to me by one of my sons. It is the CUTEST thing! You'll love it!

Retailer Insults troops

Just got a heads up on this from Texas Fred via
Euphoric Reality. I'm appalled!

One of our soldiers emailed a retailer in West Allis, Wisconsin, inquiring whether they could ship floor mats to an APO address. The NCO wanted to buy better gear for his troops to sleep on. You won’t believe the company’s response*. (Their email address is included below, if you’d like to let the company know what you think of their business.):

From: SGT Jason Hess
Sent: Tue Jan 16 3:25

Do you ship to APO address? I’m in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first.

*****************************************************

From: contact@discount-mats.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats.com

SGT Hess,
We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.

Bargain Suppliers
Discount-Mats.com

Apparently, Discount-Mats prides itself on its customer service: “Outstanding Service - As a customer, you’re part of our family. You can expect friendly, courteous, responsive service before and after the sale.” Unless you’re an American servicemember, that is.

I’m sorry this cheesehead turned out to be such a bonehead. Let’s educate this loser - it’s bad business to insult our troops, doncha know?

contact@discount-mats.com

414-736-8394

Here is their mailing address:

Bargain Suppliers
3259 S.106th Street
West Allis, WI 53227

* Verified by Snopes.

Marine Moms Handbook: Part I

During our Marine Moms lunch Monday (I can call it that because none of the dads were there this time), we decided that it would have been so nice if there was some sort of Marine Mom Handbook that you got when your son or daughter went off to bootcamp. The recruiters do give you a "parent's guide", but it doesn't have the REAL stuff in it that we moms want to know.

There's lots to cover so I'll start with Chapter 1: Common MMMs (Marine Mom Myths)

MMM #1. We'll save money on hot water, laundry detergent, car insurance, and FOOD!

Sorry ladies! Here's the reality:

More money on laundry when he's home because he brings everything dirty and those socks have to be washed multiple times to get that SMELL out!

More money on socks, because you want him to have the special high-tech ones so that he doesn't get blisters.

More money on gas when he's home because he always has the car.

More money on travelling expenses to and from where your Marine is stationed.

More money on food sending care packages because you know he's going to share with his buddies (plus all the chapstick, batteries, and other goodies to include in the boxes).

Then there are all those additional expenses:
New wardrobe of "My son is a Marine" t-shirts
Yarn so Mom can knit helmet liners
Marine fabric for quilts and blankets
Lunch and coffee with the Lubbock Marine Parents
Cost of wear and tear on the carpet as you pace back and forth and worry.
Cost of calling in sick to work after pulling an all-nighter chatting with other Marine moms.

But of course, being able to call your son or daughter Marine: PRICELESS


MMM #2 He'll keep his room clean when he comes home from bootcamp.

Reality:
As soon as he walks in the door, his seabag will EXPLODE all over his room, and it will smell even worse. Do they not even wash those cammies the entire 13 weeks of bootcamp? And don't even let him bring those "go-fasters" into the house. Trust me. They should stay in the garage or better yet, in the dumpster. His civvies will be crumpled up all over the floor, but his uniform will be pristine in the closet. You will continue to find the little green elastic things that he blouses his boots with for months after he leaves. He will tell you that you don't know how to make a bed. Does it really matter if the bed is made if you can't even see the carpet in the room? You may also be told that you don't know how to iron like they were taught in bootcamp. "Honey, Mom didn't go to bootcamp..."

MMM #3 I'll be able to watch all the "Chick Flicks" I want.

Reality:
You'll be watching "Ears Open, Eyeballs Click" on the documentary channel, "Mail Call" on the History Channel, the military channel, and Fox News.

Coming up next: Marine mom rights

Something Fun

I was visiting sprittibee today and look at what I found. You can upload a picture and turn it into pop art. This one is me and my trusty computer, but I think I'll do one of all the kids too. Maybe even the dog. Lots of fun for the snowy weekend we have coming up. Just thought y'all might need something to do. ;) Click here for the warholizer.

Reporting From the Front

Many of you may have seen this poem circulating in email. In the email I got it was called "Monsters and the Weak". It's a wonderful poem and I really wanted to post it here, but I wanted to be sure that the author was credited. So, I did a little digging and found that the author is Michael Marks, found his email address and asked him for permission to post his poem here. He has so graciously allowed us to do so.

Here's a snippet from the email he sent me:

Please extend to your readers my warmest thoughts and wishes that their Marines come home swiftly and safely and again, my thanks for the sacrifices made by all to keep our streets and homes secure. From the son of a Marine himself -- Semper Fi.


Best always,


Michael


Reporting From The Front

The sun beat like a hammer, not a cloud was in the sky.
The mid-day air ran thick with dust; my throat was parched and dry.
With microphone clutched tight in hand and cameraman in tow,
I ducked beneath a fallen roof, surprised to hear "stay low."

My eyes blinked several times before in shadow I could see,
the figure stretched across the rubble, steps away from me.
He wore a cloak of burlap strips, all shades of grey and brown,
that hung in tatters till he seemed to melt into the ground.

He never turned his head or took his eye from off the scope,
but pointed through the broken wall and down the rocky slope.
"About eight hundred yards," he said, his whispered words concise,
"beneath the baggy jacket he is wearing a device."

A chill ran up my spine despite the swelter of the heat,
"You think he's gonna set it off along the crowded street?"
The sniper gave a weary sigh and said "I wouldn't doubt it,"
"unless there's something this old gun and I can do about it."

A thunderclap, a tongue of flame, the still abruptly shattered;
while citizens that walked the street were just as quickly scattered.
Till only one remained, a body crumpled on the ground,
The threat to oh so many ended by a single round.

And yet the sniper had no cheer, no hint of any gloat,
instead he pulled a logbook out and quietly he wrote.
"Hey, I could put you on TV; that shot was quite a story!"
But he surprised me once again -- "I got no wish for glory."

"Are you for real?" I asked in awe, "You don't want fame or credit?"
He looked at me with saddened eyes and said "you just don't get it."
"You see that shot-up length of wall, the one without a door?
before a mortar hit, it used to be a grocery store."

"But don't go thinking that to bomb a store is all that cruel,
the rubble just across the street -- it used to be a school.
The little kids played soccer in the field out by the road,"
His head hung low, "They never thought a car would just explode."

"As bad as all this is though, it could be a whole lot worse,"
He swallowed hard; the words came from his mouth just like a curse.
"Today the fight's on foreign land, on streets that aren't my own,"
"I'm here today 'cause if I fail, the next fight's back at home."

"And I won't let my Safeway burn, my neighbors dead inside,
don't wanna get a call from school that says my daughter died;
I pray that not a one of them will know the things I see,
nor have the work of terrorists etched in their memory."

"So you can keep your trophies and your fleeting bit of fame,
I don't care if I make the news, or if they speak my name."
He glanced toward the camera and his brow began to knot,
"If you're looking for a story, why not give this one a shot."

"Just tell the truth of what you see, without the slant or spin;
that most of us are OK and we're coming home again.
And why not tell our folks back home about the good we've done,
how when they see Americans, the kids come at a run."

You tell 'em what it means to folks here just to speak their mind,
without the fear that tyranny is just a step behind;
Describe the desert miles they walk in their first chance to vote,
or ask a soldier if he's proud, I'm sure you'll get a quote."

He turned and slid the rifle in a drag bag thickly padded,
then looked again with eyes of steel as quietly he added;
"And maybe just remind the few, if ill of us they speak,
that we are all that stands between the monsters and the weak."

©Copyright January 25, 2006 by Michael Marks

Leatherneck Magazine

We get my son's subscription to Leatherneck magazine here at the house. It's a great magazine, so I always read it before I send it on to him. ;) I think you can buy them here in town at Barnes & Noble too. We got the January issue in the mail today and there are several good articles in it, as usual. From now until February 1st, you can read the entire magazine online for free. After that it will only be available to subscribers and members of the Marine Corps Association, so read it while you can! One of the "must see" articles is about the National Museum of the Marine Corps. I really want to visit there someday. There's also a good one about MCRD San Diego There are some really great pictures. Read the magazine here.

UK Undercover Report

Just found something interesting over at the Military Families Voice of Victory blog that I thought some of you might want to see. I have not seen anything like this before. There are 3 videos. Click here to see them.

Lubbock Military Parents?

As far as we have been able to find out, we are the only military family support group in the Lubbock area. We don't want parents or family members of other branches of the military to be without the support system that we have found to be so invaluable. For that reason, we have been tossing around the idea of changing our name to reflect a broader mission. We are a non-profit organization, so it would involve some red tape, but we are happy to do it if there is sufficient interest. If you know of anyone in our area who might be interested please email (through my profile),or leave a comment. We don't want ANY military family member to feel alone. Remember though, that even if we do not change our name, any military family member or loved one is welcome to join us.

G.R.I.T.

Just had to share this with y'all. It comes from our treasurer, Tanya and is just way too cute (and true)!



G.R.I.T. = Girls Raised in Texas !


Texas Women, Kittens and Biscuits

Someone once noted that a Texan can get away with the most awful kind of insult just as long as it's prefaced with the words, "Bless her heart" or "Bless his heart." As in, "Bless his heart, if they put his brain on the head of a pin, it'd roll around like a BB on a 6-lane highway."

I was thinking about this the other day when a friend was telling about her new transplanted northern friend who was upset because her toddler is just beginning to talk and he has a Texas accent. My friend, who is very kind and, bless her heart, cannot do a thing about those thighs of hers, was justifiably miffed about this. After all, this woman had CHOSEN to move to Texas a couple of years ago."Can you believe it?" said her friend, "A child of mine is going to be "taaaallllkkin liiiike thiiiissss."

Now, don't get me wrong. Some of my dearest friends are from the North, bless their hearts. I welcome their perspective, their friendships, and their recipes for authentic Northern Italian food. I've even gotten past their endless complaints that you can't find good bread down here because the heathens, bless their hearts, don't like cornbread!

I have a friend from Bawston, bless her heart, who thinks it's hilarious when I say I've got to "carry" my daughter to the doctor or "cut off" the light. She also gets a giggle every time I am "fixin" to do something. And, bless their hearts, they don't even know where "over yonder" is, or what "I reckon" means!

My personal favorite was my aunt, saying, "Bless her heart, she cain't help being ugly, but she could'uh stayed home."

Texas girls know bad manners when they see them:
1. Drinking straight out of a can.
2. Not sending thank you notes.
3. Velvet after February.
4. White shoes before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.

Texas girls always say:
1. "Yes Maam! ."
2. "Yessir."

Texas girls have a distinct way with fond expressions:
1. "Yawl come back."
2. "Well, bless yer harrt."
3. "Drop by when ya can."
4. "How's yer mama?"
5. "Love yer hair."

Texas girls know their three R's:
1. Rich
2. Richer
3. Richest

Texas girls know everybody's first name:
1. Hunny
2. Darlin'
3. Sughar

Texas girls know the movies that speak to their hearts:
1. "Gone With the Wind"
2. "Fried Green Tomatoes"
3. "Driving Miss Daisy"
4. "Steel Magnolias"

Texas girls know the three deadly sins:
1. Bad hair
2. Bad manners
3. Bad blind dates


"Just because you move to Texas it does not make you a Texan. After all, if a cat had kittens and moved them to the oven, that wouldn't make them biscuits."

Image source

The Pain Train!

I spend my time searching for funny military videos so you don't have to. OK, I admit it, my son told me about this one too.

Exercise Bulldozer

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Jan. 12, 2007) -The mountains reverberated with machine gun fire this week as members of Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 practiced and qualified with several crew-served weapons on Combat Range 1 during Exercise Bulldozer

Click here to see what my son is up to this week. Looks awfully cold! I'm sure he is having a good time though. He always does when they go to Mt. Fuji.

Let's Do Lunch

We are meeting for lunch this Monday at 11:45am at Applebees on 4th and Milwaukee. We would love to have you! It's just an informal lunch, not a meeting.

Image source

Navy Numa Numa

This is SO funny! A bunch of sailors doing the "Numa Numa Dance". They have to entertain themselves somehow on those long ocean voyages! One of my sons found this and pointed it out to me.

Rules for Dating A Marine's Daughter

Okay all, I stole this from a friends MySpace Blog. I feel like I need to share the story behind why I find this to be so relative...

My stepson TJ and daughter-in-law Kiyana are expecting their 2nd child at the end of April. About a week ago they had the sonogram done and they are having another boy! TJ desperately wants a little girl so has told his wife he will give her 4 months after Tristen Micah is born before they go for the girl (he is loving married life, wonder why!). But of course the snag is Kiyana never wants a girl, feels they are just too much trouble, what with the chances of them getting pregnant someday and all, which in itself is way too funny, considering that TJ may never let Kiyana see her own feet again if he has his way. I told Kiyana that with a Marine as a dad she would never have to worry about her little girl gettin pregnant, thus this just proves my point...ENJOY!

Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.
Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.
Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose his compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.
Rule Four: I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.
Rule Five: It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."
Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.
Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?
Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.
Rule Nine: Do not lie to me. On issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.
Rule Ten: Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

Marine Video

This is a wonderful video. It's a little long, but worth it. I love the music too. Yes, don't laugh, I do like Billy Ray Cyrus. He's much cuter without the mullet though. ;)

New Comments

I uploaded Haloscan for our comments and seem to have deleted all previous comments in the process! Yikes! I think this will work better, but I'm sorry that I've deleted every one's comments as there were some really great ones, plus I had replied to some of the comments that y'all left. Maybe I can figure how to bring them back, but if not please comment away!! ;)

Tonight's Meeting

We had a great meeting tonight! It's always lots of fun when we get together. I think I drank too much coffee though. I won't ever get to sleep. ;) We will get our Valentine's care packs all boxed up and ready to go Saturday, February 3rd at 2:00 at my house. If you would like to help just give me a call or leave a comment and I will give you directions. We would love to have you. I want to extend a big welcome to our new mom Rhonda. We are so glad to have her! She's also a mom to two of the few.

One of our moms just got back from a visit to see her son and his family in Okinawa, so be on the look out for pictures of her trip coming up soon. She brought them tonight and there are some really good ones.

Oh, and all of you who didn't make it...you are now all in charge of our booths at the 4th on Broadway and the Wolfforth Harvest Festival this year. Mwa ha ha!! OK, OK, just kidding.

Be sure to stop by and say hi to our "adopted" veteran Minuteman76. We talked about him last night too, although that won't be reflected in the minutes. Completely OFF the record! ;) We're doing a little matchmaking here...shhhh

January Meeting

*Just bringing this back up to the top as a reminder.*

Please join us for the next meeting of Lubbock Marine Parents. We will meet Thursday, January 4th at 8:00pm at Daybreak Coffee on 19th and Quaker Ave. We'll have our year-end treasurer's report, elect officers for next year and talk about our Valentine care package mail out. Better be there or you'll be elected as an officer or a committee chair! ;)

CNN Special

An Anderson Cooper special on CNN last night featured Dick Linn (also known as USMCpop) who is a regular poster on MarineParents.com. He is one of the Gold Star parents there and is so wise and witty. Everyone there loves him. His son and 3 other Marines were lost on January 26th, 2005 and this special is to honor them. I completely missed it. I haven't been checking the message boards lately so I didn't see the air date, but it may air again later this month and you can read the rush transcript here.

Freedom Project

Head on over and check out Minuteman76's Freedom Project. It starts today. I think it's a great project and well worth our support. I'm proud to be one of the early donors and I'm hoping that he will make a stop here in Lubbock. Maybe we could give him a tour of the Buddy Holly Center, the American Wind Power Center and the National Ranching Heritage Center to give him a little "Lubbock Education". Sounds like fun doesn't it? Minuteman76 is a wounded veteran and he also let me know about a website for Silver Star Families. You may remember in an earlier post about the blue star banner that I mentioned the silver stars for those wounded in service to our country. The Silver Star website will give you more information about that and you can also order a silver star banner. I know blondiebee could order one.

Speaking of Buddy Holly...just remembered this. When we went to Fukuoka, Japan to see the Softbank Hawks baseball team with my oldest son, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe there. Near the cash register they had a Lubbock High School yearbook in a case, open to Buddy Holly's picture. Funny place to see a Lubbock high yearbook. We tried to tell the cashier that we were from Lubbock, but I don't think she understood what we were saying. She just smiled and nodded...;)

Wishing you all a blessed and joyful New Year!

Resources for Marine parents

I was thinking today about how I felt when my oldest son told me he wanted to be a Marine. The first thing I did was start combing the internet for information. I knew very little about the Marines other than the "big and bad" reputation and I wanted to be informed. From the Google searches that are leading people to our blog, I'm guessing there are others out there in the same situation. Luckily for us, there are LOTS of resources for Marine parents on the internet. I would start with the official USMC parents website. Then go to the MarineParents.com website. There are message boards for both parents of recruits and poolees as well as Marines. I found parents from both of my sons' recruit training companies and met many of them in San Diego at the graduations. The recruit message board is mostly San Diego parents, but there are some with Parris Island recruits as well. There are separate threads for each graduation date. On the Marine side of the message board the threads are organized according to duty station or unit. You may be able to find other parents with Marines in your son or daughter's unit. I found a mom there whose daughter is stationed with my oldest son and they are in the same unit. She met my son when she went to Japan to visit her daughter and I met her daughter when I went to visit my son. Another message board that I only found recently is the USMC EZ Board. There are more Parris Island parents here. I found the mom of my #2 son's room mate on the EZ Board. Those poor guys don't stand a chance with their moms talking to each other, do they? ;)

If your son will be going to MCRD San Diego for bootcamp (men west of the Mississippi)click here to see the official USMC training matrix. If your son or daughter will be going to bootcamp at Parris Island (men east of the Mississippi and all women) click here for more information. For unofficial (but highly recommended) graduation advice for San Diego visit Max's San Diego Graduation site, and a similar unofficial (but again highly recommended) site for Parris Island grads here.

Now, as far as I know, there are no similar websites for parents of other branches of the military. I do believe there are some official websites for parents, but no message boards or unofficial websites that I know of. If anyone knows of any, please pass them along.

The above picture was taken at MCRD San Diego before my second son's Family Day, which is the day before the actual graduation. It was the first time in 13 weeks for us to catch a glimpse of him. Aside from the days of their births, their graduations from bootcamp were the proudest (and most emotional) days of my life.

Lubbock Soldier to be portrayed on History Channel

Roy Velez, is honored and excited to see the History Channel special about his son Friday. The Velez family lost their son Freddy in 2004 when he was killed by enemy fire in Fallujah. Read the rest here. The special will be on today at noon and at 6:00pm tonight.

Blondiebee and I had the privilege to meet this precious family when they lost their second son Andrew. They are an inspiration to us. Their faith is still so strong even after losing two of their sons. We went to take food and just hoped we might be of some comfort to them. We were so blessed by that meeting and I think received more from the family than we were able to give. Roy, the father, has been nominated for Texan of the year. They will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

DECK of CARDS

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard.

The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.

As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then a sergeant came in and said, "Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?"

The soldier replied, "I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord."

The sergeant said, "Looks to me like you're going to play cards."

The soldier said, "No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards."

The sergeant asked in disbelief, "How will you do that?"

“You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

~ The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

~ The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

~ The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

~ The Five is for the five virgins. There were ten, but only five of them were glorified.

~ The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

~ The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

~ The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

~ The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

~ The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

~ The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

~ The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

~ The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings."

"When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year."

"There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year."

"The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter."

"Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter."

"So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for."

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, "Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?"

**Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray each day for all of our soldiers who are being sent away, putting their lives on the line fighting. When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our servicemen and women all around the world.

Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, prayer is the very best one.

~ Prayer for the Military ~


Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them.
Bless them and their families.
I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

Soldier From Lubbock Interviewed in Iraq

A Soldier from Lubbock is Interviewed in Iraq

GIs Continue Missions on Christmas

Associated Press December 25, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Pfc. John Alonzo knew Christmas would be his toughest time in Iraq. "Ever since I volunteered, I haven't been looking forward to it," said the 27-year-old, from Lubbock, Texas. "My son wants to know why I can't be home for the holidays. He doesn't understand that I can't just quit."


Read the rest of the post from De'on at Gunz Up here

True American

This from our Lubbock Marine Parents Treasurer, Tanya. Very good I thought!


You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under God."


You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You still say "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival."

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You bow your head when someone prays.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You treat VietNam vets with great respect, and always have.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never burned an American flag.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.



God Bless the USA! Git'er done!!!!

About those care packs...

You all may remember that a few weeks back our group mailed out 251 care packages to Iraq. We got a thank you note in the mail that I want to share. It's from one of our wonderful women Marines. Her letter brought tears to my eyes.

"Dear Lubbock Marine Parents,

Greetings from Camp TQ, Iraq! Lance Corporal S. here, my parents are Lee and Ann S. It sure was a nice surprise to receive a care package from you guys (perfect timing, I needed some new socks!), today. You all have done a lot to support us over here and we all appreciate everything you do. Just one more reason I feel so blessed to be out here with the group, and to be from Texas!

Everyone is doing well. Our morale is high and although the holidays are usually times when Marines get depressed and more homesick than usual, we have really solidified as a unit and are making the best of it. On the phone with my parents a few days ago my mother said, "It doesn't feel fair for you to have to miss Thanksgiving and Christmas with your family again due to deployment". I thought for a second and told her, "Well, Mom, I WILL be with my family for Thanksgiving and Christmas." In knowing that, and in having the support we do back home, I know Lubbock will contine to shine and do amazing things until it is time for us to leave here and come home. Thanks again for thinking of us, I hope everyone's holidays will be as good and as joyful as ours!

With God's Love and mine,

Morgan S., Lance Corporal, USMC"

Marine Jokes

I came across a bunch of Marine jokes today that I had printed out and sent to my oldest son while he was at bootcamp. I thought we could all use a laugh. I'll start with one of the funniest. Now, remember that these are all in fun! ;)

Rules For Dating a Marine's Daughter

Rule one:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early".

Rule six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. this is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff t-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule nine:
Do not lie to me. On issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a tank coming in through the desert in Iraq. The voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.


Army Ranger, Marines and crocodile shoes....

An Army Ranger was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana and he wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking.
After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the Ranger shouted, "maybe I'll just go out and get my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes made at a reasonable price!"

The vendor said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you will run into a couple of Marines who were in here earlier saying the same thing."

So the Ranger headed into the bayou that same day and a few hours later came upon two men standing waist deep in the water. He thought, "those must be the two Marines the guy in town was talking about." Just then, the Ranger saw a tremendously long gator swimming rapidly underwater towards one of the Marines.

Just as the gator was about to attack, the Marine grabbed its neck with both hands and strangled it to death with very little effort. Then both Marines dragged it on shore and flipped it on its back. Laying nearby were several more of the creatures.

One of the Marines then exclaimed, "Damn, this one doesn't have any shoes either!"


New Basic Training Rules
In an effort to ensure proper training and readiness among the military services, Congress has approved the following changes to basic principles of recruit training:

Haircuts

Marines: Heads will be shaved.
Army: Stylish flat-top's for all recruits.
Navy: No haircut standard.
Air Force: Complete makeovers as seen on the Jenny Jones show.

Training Hours:

Marines: Reveille at 0500, train until 2000.
Army: Reveille at 0600, train until 1900.
Navy: Get out of bed at 0900, train until 1100, lunch until 1300, train until 1600.
Air Force: Awaken at 1000, breakfast in bed, train from 1100 to 1200, lunch at 1200, train from 1300 to 1400, nap at 1400, awaken from nap at 1500, training ceases at 1500.

Meals:

Marines: Meals, Ready-to-Eat 3 times a day.
Army: One hot meal, 2 MRE's.
Navy: 3 hot meals.
Air Force: Catered meals prepared by the Galloping Gourmet, Julia Child, and Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse. All you can eat.

Leave And Liberty:

Marines: None.
Army: 4 hours a week.
Navy: 2 days a week.
Air Force: For every four hours of training, recruits will receive eight hours of leave and liberty.

Protocol:

Marines: Will address all officers as "Sir," and refer to the rank of all enlisted members when speaking to them (i.e., Sgt. Jones).
Army: Will address all officers as "Sir," unless they are friends, and will call all enlisted personnel "Sarge."
Navy: Will address all officers as "Skipper," and all enlisted personnel as "Chief."
Air Force: All Air Force personnel shall be on a first name basis with each other.

Decorations/Awards:

Marines: Medals and badges are awarded for acts of gallantry and bravery only.
Army: Medals and badges are awarded for every bullet fired, hand grenade thrown, fitness test passed, and bed made.
Navy: Will have ships' engineers make medals for them as desired.
Air Force: Will be issued all medals and badges, as they will most likely be awarded them at some point early in their careers anyway.

Camouflage Uniforms:

Marines: Work uniform, to be worn only during training and in field situations.
Army: Will wear it anytime, anywhere.
Navy: Will not wear camouflage uniforms, they do not camouflage you on a ship. (Ship Captains will make every effort to attempt to explain this to sailors.)
Air Force: Will defeat the purpose of camouflage uniforms by putting blue and silver chevrons and colorful squadron patches all over them.

Career Fields:

Marines: All Marines shall be considered riflemen first and foremost.
Army: It doesn't matter, all career fields promote to E-8 in first enlistment anyway.
Navy: Nobody knows. The Navy is still trying figure out what sailors in the ABH, SMC, BNC and BSN rates do anyway.
Air Force: Every recruit will be trained in a manner that will allow them to leave the service early to go on to higher paying civilian jobs.


A sailor in a bar leans over to the guy next to him and says "Wanna hear a MARINE joke"? The guy next to him says "Well, before you tell that joke, you should know something. I'm 6 foot tall, 200 lbs, and I'm a MARINE. The guy sitting next to me is 6 foot 2inches tall, weighs 225, and he's a MARINE. The fella next to him is 6 foot 5 inches tall, weighs 250, and he's also a MARINE. Now, you still wanna tell that joke?"

The sailor says, "Nah, I don't want to have to explain it three times."

Psalm 91

Praying the Prayers of Psalm 91 over our military today.

TJ, my stepson has been on my mind all day today, as have many others who are leaving 3/7 this time of the year. TJ has reupped and transfered to Bridgeport, California. My thoughts are a little on the sad side as this transition in his life occurs, I feel like I am loosing 3/7 family. All of the young men of 3/7 have become very dear to my heart. They will soon be gone again in a few months. This Prayer straight from the scripture is for those who are currently serving and I feel it will pave the way for 3/7 in their future.



He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge—
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Remember Pearl Harbor

65 years ago today our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor. It was "a day that will live in infamy". It is so important that we remember our history and honor those who served our country then and those who continue to do so today. My family is grateful for their service and sacrifice.

I Am A Blue Star Mother

I am a Blue Star Mother.
I am the Mother of a United States Marine.
He gave me my title
I will give him a heart full of wonder at this accomplishment
And a voice that praises his desire to serve
I will place my faith in his military training
And in God's protection.
I will give him the prayers that will follow him
Where I cannot.
I will be strong when I want to cry
And brave when I want to cower.
He will know I am behind him every step of the way.
Because I bear the title of
Mother of a United States Marine!

IED Hunter

Beth at Blue Star Chronicles has a funny video that I think all you Marine parents will love. Click here to watch it. Oh the things our Marines will do to entertain themselves...

A New Team Member

We now have a new contributor to our blog! Blondiebee (another Marine mom and Lubbock Marine Parents officer) has joined me and I know the blog will be twice as good now. I can't wait to see what she has to say! I'm thrilled because now if I post something stupid, it won't be blamed on the whole group! ;) Too much responsibility!

Oh, and I have an update. Steven (my oldest son) has his plane tickets! I can officially go into high gear excited mother mode! He'll be here in less than 2 weeks!

Semper Fi Fund

I want to make you aware of a wonderful organization called the Semper Fi Fund. They are an organization that provides assistance to injured Marines. Some families like to give to charity in lieu of gifts at Christmas, and this is an excellent one. If you get a chance to visit the website, be sure to read the Heroes' Stories.