Thank God It's Friday!!!!!

It's Friday!!! WHOOP! WHOOP! Not much going on this weekend. The only important thing I can think of is when the University of Tennessee Volunteers take on the Tigers of LSU in the SEC Conference Championship game Saturday in Atlanta 3:00 CST. The only thing that will bring everythin to a complete halt... well for Tennessee and LSU fans that is. GO VOLS!!!!!!! Rocky Top, you'll always be Home sweet home to me. Good ole rocky top, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Rocky Top Tennessee, Rocky Top Tennessee. You know you are living in 2007 when ... 1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave. 2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years. 3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three 4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you 5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses 6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries or laundry 7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen 8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it 10.You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee 11.You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : ) 12.You're reading this and nodding and laughing 13.Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message. 14.You are too busy to notice there was no # 9 on this list. 15.You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a # 9 on this list. NOW you are LAUGHING at yourself, aren't you. Have a great weekend! SMOOCHES~

BEWARE - KLEENEX ALERT!!!

Since I'm having one of those days where I have absolutely nothing to write about I thought that I would share with you this poem that has been sent to me via e-mail. It's very powerful. Yes we can read this as if any military man or woman but I guess I'm just a little partial to the Marines... ya think? A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight My wife was asleep, her head on my chest My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white Transforming the yard to a winter delight The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep In perfect contentment, or so it would seem So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear And I crept to the door just to see who was near Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here Put down your pack; brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl ' on a day in December Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram' always remembers "My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ' And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag The red, white, and blue... an American flag. "I can live through the cold and the being alone Away from my family, my house and my home "I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another Or lay down my life with my sister and brother "Who stand at the front against any and all To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall. "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? "It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone To stand your own watch, no matter how long." "For when we come home, either standing or dead To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Memories of our trip ...

Yes, this is a long time coming. I'm so very sorry... I've been having major issues with my computer at home downloading pictures to Blogger. So without further ado... We left on Wednesday morning, October 17 around 4:00 am ... took our time traveling to Beaufort South Carolina. One couldn't ask for more beautiful weather for traveling. We traveled through the state of Alabama ... went right by Talladega Motorsports Park. Of course no race and since I was the only one in the van to have ever been there the others wanted to check it out. We checked into our hotel around 5:00 pm, unloaded the van, got into our rooms, relaxed for about an hour or so then off to find a place to eat. Found this wonderful place called Golden Corral. We don't have those here... excellent buffet... more than I could have ever eaten. Our waitor's name was Gil ... talking about one hot sexy young man... oh my ... if only I were 25 years younger... Kaitlin was "in love"... LOL She got so bum-fuzzled that she was acting really silly ... see We went back to the hotel room and tried to get some sleep... but we were running on pure adrenalin. Alarms went off around 5:00 am and we were off and running, literally. As we drove onto Parris Island it was pitch dark. We found a parking space, jumped out of the van and walked over to the bleachers where we where to sit. All of a sudden you hear this candence but could not see anything but darkness. Then from the lights of the families flashlights you could see nothing but yellow reflectors ... and there they were. Just standing there ... waiting for 7:00 am to come around. Oh my ... the chills that ran down my spine. At about 6:55 am you heard this loud command of "right face" and in complete unison Oscar and Echo Companies turned to the right. Everyone screamed and applauded. Now let me tell you, the Marine Corps NEVER starts anything late... NEVER... at exactly 7:00 am they are off for their 4 mile Moto Run... Calling cadence all the way. Of course, I could not understand what they were saying but I didn't care. My son had made it. He had become a United States Marine. Let me tell you, trying to find him was hard for me but Tony just knew how to do it. Matt has the harriest legs of any one human being I know. So when they came around he started looking down at the guys legs ... he found him... by the hair on his legs... there he was... there was my baby. After the Moto Run, we hung around base for a bit. We visited the Iwo Jima Statue there on Parris Island. Then we left for a little while as we would not have any contact with Matt until 1:00 pm... We arrived back on Parris Island around 11:00 am as they were having a ceremony for the families before we were allowed to see our Marines. After the ceremony we walked around a little more outside. There was this awesome Hummer sitting outside of the All Weather Training Facility. Then it got extremely quiet... so quiet that yes, even outside you could hear a pin drop. There they were... coming from their Squad Bays to the All Weather Training Facility... Ever so quietly marching ... not a word was being spoken, no cadence was being called ... Everyone started making a mad dash for the building as NO ONE wanted to miss anything. After all the families gathered into the building ... here they come... marching in by platoon... They did a small ceremony thing and then the Marines were released to their families until 1845 pm or 6:45 pm ... I couldn't get down to that floor fast enough. I was like a squirrel on crack... nobody had better NOT get in my way. I finally found my Marine and his friend Adrian ... here is one of the first pictures taken of them on Family Day. We found a place to eat lunch and just visit. Matt wanted to show us a few things around base. I am not posting the pictures of the things on base he showed us. But I will show you his rack and the awards that they won. I am going to show you the infamous yellow footprints and the building where they were at for 36 hours after their arrival to Parris Island. Here is Matt standing in the infamour yellow footprints. He will NEVER again have to stand there. This is the building where they do the Receiving process. Matt and the other recruits were here for 36 hours. Here we are outside of the Receiving Building, in front of the yellow footprints ... Matt talking to my mother and Tony. After we left this area, Matt wanted to show us where he had lived for the past 13 weeks. He had the bottom rack. Do you remember me telling you about the awards that the platoon had won? Well, here they are. By the time we had driven around base for Matt to show us around it was time for us to leave. My how time just flew by. I didn't want to go but I knew that I would see him again in only a few short hours. Friday morning rolled around and it was yucky. There was a 90% chance of rain that day. I was so wanting to see them march across the parade deck for graduation but Mother Nature had other plans. Thanks Mother Nature... This is what it looked like as we drove onto Parris Island Friday morning. I could not get any real good pictures of the graduation as it was held in the All Weather Training Facility. I did, however, take my camcorder and have a excellent video. The graduation started promptly at 9:00 am and lasted approximately 1 hour. This was something to see .. Once again a mad dash was made by all to find their new Marine. Here is the very proud Marine Family ... Oh yeah... remember me telling you too about Matt's SDI knowing who Dixiechick was? Matt was ragged to death from this man aboud "Dixiechick" ... well here he is ... Matt and his SDI. Well that pretty much sums up our trip. I know that I'm leaving a whole lot out but you get the picture.

Operation Christmas Tree

I just came across this and thought it well worth posting. Goal is to send 5000 trees this year. So far they only have 2009. The deadline for donations is Wednesday, November 28. Remember too that all donations are tax deductible. Here are a few facts about this great cause. Operation Christmas Tree was started after a gentleman from Westminister's daughter was deployed to Iraq. They wanted a "bit of home" during the holiday season for the brave men and women who sacrifice so much. They faced the issue on how to ship. After brain storming they came up with the idea of shipping two foot tall tress to as many service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, which included their daughter. This was a major success among those that did received the trees. It was then and there that they decided to make Operation Christmas Tree a yearly project until the troops come home. They have teamed up with the Armed Forces Foundation, a registered non-profit in Washington, D.C. to collect donations for this project. The cost of a tree with lights, decorations and shipping is $20. Here is the link to the website http://www.operationchristmastree.com/ . There you will be able to find the link for donations. All donations are greatly appreciated. This will help make the holdiay season brighter for those who are away from their families and who are making the ultimate sacrifice.

Now I know that I don't play along very often. Since I'm totally brain dead after being off a week, making the 31 hour round trip ride to Jacksonville, NC, spending time with my family, eating way too much turkey, doing the shopping thing on Black Friday, spending way too much money, putting Matt back on a bus on Saturday, I thought that I would participte this week. This weeks Manic Monday word is "rank". Thanks Mo There are many ways one could describe "rank" ... but the very first thing that came to my mind was ... Well I know you knew that was coming... LOL Pvt Matt Happy Monday & SMOOCHES~

Road Trip

Yes you heard me correctly I said ROAD TRIP!!! Leaving out today for North Carolina to pick up my Marine for Thanksgiving. So as we head out today, I want to leave you with a few things that I'm thankful for... in no particular order... For my Heavenly Father above because without him I would be total wreck. I am thankful for my family. For my mother and daddy - I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for them. For Kaitlin, my daughter who is exactly like me - dear God please help me!! For Pvt. Matt, my very brave son - nothing else can be said here. For Tony, my true soul mate - for being the most understanding, loving and thoughtful partner I could have ever wish for. I am thankful for my home. Everytime I start to complain I remind myself that I could not have a roof over my head. For the food on my table, the shoes on my feet and the cloths on my back. I am thankful for my working legs to carry me through each day, my eyes to see, my lungs to breath, my brain that I can think. I am thankful for my blogging buddies... because without y'alls support I would have never made it through boot camp. I am thankful for our troops who give the utlimate sacrifice for after all FREEDOM ISN'T FREE. So from my family to yours I want to wish each and every one of you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Absolutely Nothing

I have absolutely nothing to write about today. It's cold here. My brain is frozen. I can't think. Thank God It's Friday. Will leave late Monday night headed to North Carolina to pick up my Marine for Thanksgiving! WHOOP! WHOOP! Don't know how much posting I will be doing next week. I'm off work all week. But I just know one thing is I can't stay gone an entire week. Have been there and done that and catching up was overwhelming. BOO HOO - Barry Bonds, Mr. Steriod Head himself, was indicted yesterday for perjury and obstruction of justice. It appears no one will sign him... BOO HOO His playing career is OVER... BOO HOO I know that Vinny is tickled pink this morning. It appears that A-Rod and the Yankees have come to an agreement. He signed aa record $275 million, 10-year contract, and if he sets a home run record he could earn more. On a brighter note, the No. 3 University of Memphis Tigers are playing in New York at Madison Square Garden. They beat Oklahoma last night. WHOOP! WHOOP! GO TIGERS!!!!! A few days ago Sandee from Comedy Plus awarded me with Winning Attitude Award Here is what she said ... Mel over at Monday Morning Power created a new award called Winning Attitude Award. How cool is that. This award is all about having a winning attitude and here is what Mel had to say: This award seems like a natural given what my site is all about. This award is based on positive thinking and is meant for those blogs who base their existence, in part or in whole, on Positive Winning Attitudes.There are two ways to post this award on your site; the award only or the code and award. To get your preference go HERE. Remember, the creator of this award is Mel and a link back to his blog post is in order. So today I'm choosing to give this award to ... Bond @ The Big Leather Couch, Don't you just love sitting on the comfy couch? Travis @ Trav's Thoughts, just one of many who helped me during Matt's boot camp experience Lala @ What? Mermaid?, One wonderful young lady ... Linda @ Are We There Yet?? , One very cool mom Sarge Charlie - One great American he is Empress Bee - Because she's married that great American Lois @ Low Downs from Lois, because she was so very kind to write my Matt during boot camp as much as I did. ;-) So go ahead y'all and pass this on to other deserving bloggers that have winning attitudes. See I told y'all I didn't have much to say today. My brain is still trying to thaw... ;-) Have a great weekend y'all! SMOOCHES~

Another Rant - LEAVE SANTA ALONE!!!!!

Ok I think things are going just a little too far now! Just saw on Yahoo where Santa will not say "HO HO HO" anymore instead he is to be saying "HA HA HA". This from Sydney Australia... Santas were told NOT to use the "HO HO HO" greeting because it is offensive to women. WTF??? Instead they have been told to use "HA HA HA". The article said that one reason was that "HO HO HO" was too close to the US slang term for prostitute and that it could also frighten children. Again WTF??? Gimme a freakin break now... Show me a little kid who does not understand that "ho, ho, ho" has any other meaning. They have NOT been told this. Should Stanta change is behavior because a few women find it offensive? I think not! What about the male prostitues? Should they also find it offensive? My opinion is if any woman or man for that matter, is offended by Santa saying "ho ho ho" then they should be medicated and carted off in a white jacket until the holidays are over. I cant believe that anyone would be offended by something that brought them joy when they were children. Don't punish the kids just because you have no common sense. Ahhh yes here we go back to "Common Sense"... remember the Obitutary that I posted on Tuesday??? Leave Santa alone!

I am on a rant today ....

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me for a moment of silence in remembrance. For Common Sense has served us all so well for so many generations. Obituary for Common Sense Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't legally defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. Do you still remember him? I met one person yesterday who sure doesn't. Why did I post this you may be asking yourself. Well let me explain. I promise that I will make a long story very short but you will get the jest. Yesterday I made a visit to the doctors office to pick up a billiing statement to turn into my insurance company. While I was there the lovely receptionist was asking me about my recent trip to Parris Island. Ahhhh yes how my face just lit up ... the proud smile that crossed my face ... the excitement as I pulled out my small photo album that I carry in my purse with memories of Parris Island and my Marine... my voice as I was stuttering ... couldn't get the words out quick enough... There was several people in the waiting room ... the ones that I had my back to ... they were in no way part of the conversation. As I was every so proudly showing Mrs. D my pictures and I heard this woman's voice and she said ... "Oh, so your son is a Marine?" I whirl around and ever so politely and proudly say ... "Why, yes ma'am he is!" Then it(she) started in.... she said that she was an Army wife, that her husband had served a couple of tours in Iraq, yada, yada, yada ..... and then she preceeded to do NOTHING BUT BAD MOUTH THE MARINE CORPS. Let me tell you I was livid.... so being the gracious southern lady I am and very proud Marine Mom I just looked.. no wait... glared at her and said politely said "Thank you for your opinion, however I don't believe that I was talking to you. And please thank your husband for serving our country for after all FREEDOM ISN'T FREE" Now some may say if I were in your shoes I would have said more than that but you know I didn't. I did not in any way want to embarass myself, my son or the Marine Corps. I wanted to be the bigger person and show class and dignity. Which I do believe I did with that statement. Thank you for allowing me to share this rant with you today.

Thank you

There is no way that I could have said this any better myself. In doing some research I ran across a writing from a Marine Corps Chaplin, Father Denis Edward O'Brian. This is so very touching. So today to all the Veterans out there ... THANK YOU. To all our brave young military men and women who are currently defending our freedom ... THANK YOU. After all, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE. What Is a Veteran? Marine Corps Chaplain, Father Denis Edward O'Brian Veterans Day Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the evidence inside them, a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's alloy forged in the refinery of adversity. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking. What is a vet? A vet is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel. A vet is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th Parallel. A vet is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang. A vet is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back at all. A vet is the drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account punks and gang members into marines, airmen, sailors, soldiers and coast guardsmen, and teaching them to watch each other's backs. A vet is the parade-riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand. A vet is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by. A vet is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep. A vet is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come. A vet is an ordinary and yet extraordinary human being, a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. A vet is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more that the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known. So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say, "Thank You." That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded. Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU." Yes they are very special people because without our veterans we could not live with the freedoms that they have fought for. When we see our brave men and women who are currently serving our country let's not forget to thank them too.

OH. MY!!!

Ok, so yesterday I got this in my e-mail box from Vinny and yes it may explain a lot on why LSU wins ... kinda neat, uh? I'm just wondering too why kind of shoes she's wearing... Then this morning, I get to work, open my e-mail and this is what I find.... Do you see NOW why middle age women should NEVER go to Mardi Gras and drink???? I wonder what kind of shoes they are wearing??? Hope everyone has a good weekend. Nothing much going to be happening around here. I've got to go back into Matt's room and re-clean. I swear by the looks of things you would think the young man never left. Matt JUST CALLED ME!!!! He will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!! WHOOP! WHOOP!!! Have a GREAT weekend!!! I know I'm going to!!!! SMOOCHES~

A Huge THANK YOU and a few more things

Everyone remembers way back in July when Kyra from The 108 made this wonderful tribute for all to post. You know the one... you probably have it on your side bar too ... the one of me and Matt and Matt in the dog tags.... Well, Kyra, being the wonderful person she is said that when I got Matt pictures of him in his beautiful dress blues that she would re-do it .... well folks... HERE IT IS!!!!! Isn't it WONDERFUL??? Don't you just LOVE IT??? I know that I sure do!!!! THANK YOU KYRA!!!!! So go ahead grab it... you know you want to... and replace the other one with this one .... ok ... go ahead now.... you can do it.... GRAB IT!!!! ;-) Did you know that November is National Adoption Awareness Month? For more information go to http://www.adoptioncouncil.org/ Adoption is something that hits very close to home with me. My younger brother and I both were adopted as infants. I was 6 weeks old and he was 8 weeks old. We do not have the same biological parents. Mother and Daddy never kept it from us that we were adopted. I can remember as a young child asking my Mother what it meant to be adopted. She would tell me that because my biological mother could not take care of me properly and give me all the love that she thought that I needed, that she gave me to a loving family who could give me all that she could not. She said that I was like the most beautiful rose in the garden and I was picked especially for her and Daddy. I do have a lot of people ask me "Don't you want to find your parents?" My answer is "No, I know who my parents are. My parents are Kenneth and Dolores. Now they may not be my biological parents, but they are the parents who taught me all my morals. My parents are who gave me unconditional love. My parents are the ones who held me when I had a bad dream or spanked my rear end or grounded me when I did something wrong. That's who my parents are. My parents never showed any difference between my older brother, me or my younger brother. The loved us all the same. Kim, my older brother, was my parents biological child. After he was born, Mother was told that she could not have any more children. She and Daddy wanted more. So they chose the road to adoption. I'm so glad they did.

Dona Nobis Pacem November 2007

Happy Peace Globe Day! November 7, 2007 For my son .......... I'm still not feeling very well, just ask Bond. Talked to him early this morning. I did want to get my Peace Globes up. Nothing fancy... just plain and simple.

Because I just don't feel like it.

Don't feel like posting today. A couple of reasons why 1. Put Matt on a Greyhound this morning at 10:45. 2. Sick. I have NO VOICE what so ever. Just not in the mood. Maybe tomorrow. Just trying something out too Let's see how much extra cash I can generate... never hurts.

Getting ready for another rollercoaster ride.

My how the time does fly. Time always seemed to drag by when I was a kid. I now understand what my mom, dad and grandparents meant by now wishing time/life away. Sunday will be spent trying to get all Matts cloths back together for him to take, a very pre-Thanksgiving dinner, tears of joy and tears of sadness. Wishing that he didn't have to go so soon but knowing that this is his life now. Then on Monday, I will once again put my son on a bus, only this time I will be putting him on as a Marine, a proud young man... The Greyhound will be pulling out of Jackson around 10:45 a.m. headed for his next step of training. I am beginning to have some of the same fears and worries that I had on July 23. Yes, I know that the very worst part of his training is over. Yes, I know that he will be able to call me on the weekends. But once again I am sending him off into the unknown. Yes he did go through a major transformation from a young child to a very proud young man. He has the courage, dedication, strength, commitment and honor to be one of the very few ... Matt is an extraordinary young man and one that I am so very proud and honored not only to call My Son but to call My Marine. So let's all fasten our seatbelts on this rollercoaster because I can fell that it's going to be a very bumpy ride! What is a Son? A son is a warm spot in your heart and a smile on your lips. In the beginning, he is charmingly innocent, putting his complete trust in you. He comes to you for a hand to hold and for the security only your arms can provide. He shares his tales of adventure and knows how proud you are of his discoveries and accomplishments. All his problems can be solved by a hug and a kiss from you, and the bond you share is so strong it is almost tangible... Time passes, and your innocent little boy starts to test his limits. He lets go of your hand to race into the midst of life without thinking ahead or looking both ways. His problems have grown along with him, and he has learned that you can't always make his life better or kiss his troubles away. He spends much of his time away from you, and though you long for the closeness you once shared, he chooses independence and privacy. Discoveries and accomplishments aren't as easy to come by now, and sometimes he wonders about his worth. But you know the worth of that young man. He is your past and your future. He is hopes and dreams that have made it through each and every disappointment and failure. In your heart, your son is precious and treasured. Together, you struggled through the years trying to find the right amount of independence for each new stage of his life, until finally, you had to learn to let him go. Now you put your trust in him, leaving that son whom you hold so dear totally in his own care. You hope he always remembers that you have a hand for him to hold and arms to provide comfort or support. Most of all, you hope that he believes in himself as much as you believe in him, and that he knows how much you love him.