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1 posted on 01/07/2007 7:03:05 PM PST by TNoldman
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations Grandpa!

Yep -- D.I.s are a breed apart from other men..
During your 13 weeks on the Island you learn to hate those men with passion.....

Then - when you realize you're about to succeed.....graduate....wear that Globe and Anchor and be referred to as "MARINE" --- instead of "shit bird", "maggot", or being constantly told you were lower that whale shit and that was on the bottom of the ocean.....

Yes- in that last few days on the Island the D.I.s will usually let you know they're proud of you, and ready to welcome you into THEIR Corps.. The hate turns immediately to something closer to love......the kind of love one has for a brother you just KNOW will be at your side or back through ANYTHING...

I was fortunate enough to remain with several of my Parris Island brothers through further training after the Island and then deployment to I Corps in Vietnam..

It wasn't until after our first night of horror under attack that seemed to never end -- did we come to realize the value of those dreadful and boring months of training on the Island and Camp Lejeune. The dawn clearly brought home the justification and NEED for places like Parris Island, Camp Geiger, etc....

We were still alive... We had none of our own killed that evening -- a few wounded. The cleared fields of fire before our positions were littered with dead and dying.. The first and second rows of wire had corpses entangled -- there were only a few corpses that made it as far as our side of the second row of wire.. We had 4 rows of wire and still two unfired rows of Claymores before us...

Those poor bastards had made the mistake of attacking a prepared and disciplined Marine position..... They died.
It was clearly the strength of body, spirit, confidence that can come only from a shared training experience in places like Parris Island, Camp Lejeune and their West Coast equivalents that builds ability and confidence in your brothers that kept EVERYONE above the sandbags firing instead of crawling into the bunker in a false sense of safety.

May the Lord strengthen your grandson's shield and sword arm -- and keep him safe. He's with some good men, and the best warrior leaders on the planet.

Semper Fi


46 posted on 01/07/2007 8:34:11 PM PST by river rat (You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations! It is an amazing thing to see those new marines on the parade deck. I know you must be very, very proud.


47 posted on 01/07/2007 8:38:46 PM PST by Flora McDonald (Stand The Storm!)
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To: TNoldman; freema
Now he takes his place among the few, the proud, the Marines. His heart has been transfigured to serve with honor. He will do well. Yes. It would be hard to find a family that visits their son or daughter on Thursday and Friday ceremonies to not find their eyes glitter a bit, and have to swipe away the tears.
The loud thump of some thousand boot heels clicking together as they where brought to attention, the passing and review, the Marine Band playing Semper Fidelis. The memories are now in your mind. That Thursday as he was handed the Marine emblem to put onto his field cap.
Such things are precious to behold. Honor bound.
Do both have a great upcoming day, I gotta hit the rack.
48 posted on 01/07/2007 8:49:55 PM PST by Marine_Uncle
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations!


49 posted on 01/07/2007 9:02:50 PM PST by NonValueAdded (Saddam is Dead! Bush's Fault. [Pray for our patriot brother, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub.])
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To: TNoldman

So happy for your pride, so impressed by grandson's accomplishments and so very glad for our nation that we have men like these.

Congratulations!


50 posted on 01/07/2007 9:10:07 PM PST by La Enchiladita (People get ready . . .)
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations to the new Marine (and his Grandpa) and tell him we thank him for his service.


51 posted on 01/07/2007 9:20:05 PM PST by barker ( A smile is a curved line that sets things straight.)
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To: TNoldman
Welcome to the family and congrats to your grandson. My son graduated from MCRD bootcamp in October 2001. There's still the School of Infantry and MOS training ahead.
53 posted on 01/07/2007 10:04:09 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: TNoldman
Richard - -

Heartiest of congratulations to you and William!

Highest regards! - -

- - From a Marine Dad

.

56 posted on 01/07/2007 10:54:35 PM PST by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except to convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations and an enormous thank you to your grandson!! I remember how we felt when we watched our son graduate from Basic Training. I shed tears too and know just how proud you are right now. God bless you all! :)


57 posted on 01/07/2007 11:05:22 PM PST by Chena
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To: TNoldman

Outstanding!!!


58 posted on 01/08/2007 2:52:01 AM PST by RaceBannon (Innocent until proven guilty: The Pendleton 8)
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To: TNoldman

Congrats to you and your Grandson. Nothing like a PI graduation.


59 posted on 01/08/2007 4:08:35 AM PST by Recon Dad (Marine Spec Ops Dad)
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations!


60 posted on 01/08/2007 4:09:20 AM PST by Tribune7 (Conservatives hold bad behavior against their leaders. Dims don't.)
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations to you and Semper fi to you Marine Smith. May God bless you and all Marines!


61 posted on 01/08/2007 4:41:34 AM PST by jmaroneps37 (Millions of Democrat babies aborted in 1988 or earlier did not vote this year.)
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To: TNoldman

DI = Bad terminology
Drill Instructor = Correct terminology

Semper Fidelis!


62 posted on 01/08/2007 4:51:10 AM PST by fontman
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To: TNoldman
Congratulations, you should be very proud. Boot camp,some of the best days of my life, of course I was in San Diego not PI.
63 posted on 01/08/2007 8:56:20 AM PST by SF Republican
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To: TNoldman

I know how you feel. My son graduated Friday from the Coast Guard Boot Camp.
More than me being prod of him. He is proud of himself.



64 posted on 01/08/2007 9:03:26 AM PST by FlatLandBeer
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To: TNoldman
Posting the pic here. You may want to ping the participants on this thread, fyi.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">

66 posted on 01/08/2007 10:23:52 AM PST by RushCrush (Do Work!)
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To: TNoldman

Congratulations to him--may the Lord keep him, and his fellow Marines, safe while on duty wherever that may be...

I can hear the pride in your post! :)


70 posted on 01/08/2007 7:13:40 PM PST by krunkygirl
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To: TNoldman

Thank you and your family for their service.


72 posted on 01/09/2007 7:12:55 AM PST by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: TNoldman

May God bless your grandson and keep him safe. You have every right to be so proud of him!


80 posted on 01/09/2007 12:33:17 PM PST by DallasSun
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