Hero's Journey

My Son, Chase, left for bootcamp last Monday. After he left, I felt like I was checking his Position Location Information (PLI) every half hour to see if it was moving towards MCRD San Diego. We waited anxiously to get the "I have arrived safely at MCRD San Diego" phone call. It came it about 23:30 and we were excited and relieved to receive it.

I think back to the day I went to boot camp August 10th, 1992. It was the first time I ever went to the airport and thus the first time I had ever flown. The first time navigating an airport. The first time I had someone yell at me for no reason than that I was standing there. The first time....

My son on the other hand has traveled extensively across the country. He has lived in a dozen or more houses, attended more than that in schools. He has backcountry hiked in Alaska with firearms to protect him from bears, and tracted the streets of San Franciso and surrounding areas as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, only armed with the Gospel.

My son has dragged my sorry but along on several hikes and in some ways I would say that he saved my life. He was my best friend while we were in Alaska, and over the last 20 years he has always been a great young man. He is spiritual, polite, caring, and empathetic. He is also tough and full of grit and I have seen him suffer to let other people feel comfortable.

Our family is the typical Marine Corps family. We have "family" all across the world. From Spain to Japan, from San Diego to Washington DC. The Marine Corps ethos has colored the fabric of our family richly with hues and pigments that are rich and vibrant. I am so grateful for this Warriors life, that I have been given and that my Son now embarks upon. So as he starts his hero's journey - do me a favor if you have read this far - say a silent prayer for my boy, for his success and safety at boot camp. I'd appreciate it.

Josh