It's all about the Letters To Boot Camp... The true story of one guy making his way through 13 weeks of Marine Corps Boot Camp on Parris Island. And one mom doing all she could to help him and his platoon make it to the finish line.
To:
All the Past, Present, and Future Warriors of the United States,
Every Parent, Spouse, Sibling, and Child
Who’s loved one has stood on those Yellow Foot Prints,
And to my son, JD.
Semper Fidelis.
Introduction
My Son is a United States Marine.
When JD first told me he was going to join the Marine Corps I have to say I was almost sick with terror. After all, the Marines are indeed the first to fight.
I tried to talk him into the Air Force, not because I think the Air Force is easier or less dangerous. Simply because in my “Mom Mind”, 8 weeks of Basic Training sounds much better than 13 weeks of Boot Camp. Of course, deep in my heart, I knew all along he was Marine material from the very beginning and no matter how much I tried to change his mind all my efforts would be futile.
See, there was always just something about him. Maybe it was his fearless attitude, or his natural respect of others. Maybe it was the way he always took pride in himself, his loyalty to his friends and family, his great strength, gentle heart, or perhaps his ability to turn off his emotions when necessary to get an ugly job done. Who knows, but I saw all of it in him while he was growing up. So yes, even though at first I didn’t like it, I knew he was following the right path even if one day it might put my beloved Son smack dab in the line of fire. And that was that.
It was his dream, his goal, and my job to back him up anyway I could. And I did just that!
This book is all about one guy making his way through Boot Camp, and one Mom doing all she could to help him and his platoon get to the finish line. Inside this book are the actual letters between us, along with side notes of things I didn't say and explanations as to what or who we were writing about.
Boot Camp is like an 80 hour a week hard labor job with no time off, so you'll notice there are many more letters from me to him. I had a lot more time than he did and I made sure to write him daily from the time I had his address until the last week, when I knew he wouldn’t receive my letters in time. The only things I've changed are the names and the dates ever so slightly. I think it's good to see the whole picture. Understand, I am by no means a professional writer… I am just a Mom with a story and some information to share. I can be rude and my language isn’t always appropriate, but I am who I am and to try and change that for the sake of being proper would surely distort my message.
I heard another mother put it like this, "Our children choose the Marines, and we get drafted."
Honestly, I have never heard a statement so true. But, I would never give up the pride in knowing that my Son is indeed “One of The Few.” Drafted or not, I'm a Marine Mom now, and I love all my Marines!
Semper Fi.
-Hayden Hodges
A Proud Marine Mom
Phases...
* And so it began….
It’s hard work to just get on the bus.
* Receiving and Phase One
After the bus ride, all you can do for your Recruit is pray and write.
Write all the time!
* Phase Two
It’s not easier; it’s just a little different. All you have to do is keep going.
* Phase Three
The Final Phase of Marine Corps Boot Camp
From Basic Warrior Training, through the Crucible
and across the Parade Deck to Graduation
* After the Last Letter to Boot Camp
One phone call home and one awesome graduation on Parris Island
©2012 by Hayden Hodges
Publication Date: May 23 2012
ISBN/EAN13: 1477422153 / 9781477422151
Page Count: 304
Publication Date: May 23 2012
ISBN/EAN13: 1477422153 / 9781477422151
Page Count: 304