Well I dropped my son off at his recruiters office today and he got the bus for MEPS in Jax. I am very proud of him but will miss him like crazy. He is 21 but still my baby! I was wondering if anyone else has a son who is going in this day as well? If so maybe we could keep in touch and see if our experiences are the same?
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Talking to Your Son or Daughter about Becoming a Marine
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Mother
Hi Heather,
A mother, Laura Dorothea, has set up a community on Facebook, of moms that have sons that left on August 1, 2011 for Parris Island and set to graduate on October 28, 2011. If you want to join us this is the page: "USMC August 1st Paris Island Parents" Just ask to be a friend and wait for confirmation. Hope to see you there.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/10/2011
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Mother
Trying to find the fb page Laura-not having any luck.
Posted by: Maria Burkhead on 08/10/2011
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Mother
I have created a group on Facebook "USMC August 1st Paris Island Parents" if anyony would like to join. It's a great way for all of us to become better aquainted and get quicker responses too! I look forward to staying in touch.
Posted by: Laura Dorothea on 08/09/2011
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Mother
awesome!! much easier!
Posted by: Heather White on 08/10/2011
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Mother
Awesome, will try to find it - I am having trouble navigating this site at times. Thanks Laura.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/10/2011
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Mother
First good reason I've had to join Facebook, setting up my account now. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Eileen Savitsky on 08/10/2011
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Mother
It's so great to have this. It's nice to see that everyone is feeling similar things and the helplessnees that we hope will get easier as time goes on. They are going to be Marines and all we can do is be as supportive of them and each other while they make their way. For those that didn't receive the arrival call, get on the phone to the Recruiter and find out what happened. Waiting for that call is hard and when you get it you don't even get a chance to say anything. The phone is held in front of them to scream into, they can't hear you so be prepared.
My son, Stephen, is an only child. I support his decision to enlist. I wanted to be a Marine when I was his age, but medical reasons kept me out. It's certainly not easy not being able to talk with him and see how things are going and what he's feeling. If you copy and paste the link below it shows a schedule of their 13 weeks. At least we can see what they're doing.
http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/docs/MCRDPITrainingMatrix101001.pdf
I hope this has been helpful.
P.S. There was a woman whose 2 sons were at Ft. Hamilton ~ I want to thank her so very much for the hug when when my son left the room. we were the only families there at that point and it menat so much to me.
Posted by: Laura Dorothea on 08/08/2011
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Mother
thanks so much Laura - I have met so many "angels" on this site and I consider you one of them - I will check out this website and also FB page - Hope to see you there - My son left for Parris Island from New Orleans, LA on August 1 and set to graduate on Oct. 28th. I never received the phone call and his recruiter could not tell me why not. I am waiting for his addresss. Hoping to receive it soon. I miss him desperately.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/10/2011
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Mother
Hi, My son left on August 1 for Parris Island from Ft. Meade in Maryland. We did get the call at 3:24am on August 2. It was sad but also kind of funny hearing him yell the script into the phone. I wish I had recorded it to play back again and again.
My son's recruiter was able to share his platoon with me this past Friday so I was able to start sending letters. He was also able to tell me that he passed all the initial strength test and such. It was quite a relief to speak to someone who had some knowledge that my son was doing fine.
It was so wonderful to see so many posts from parents of children who left the same day. I feel so connected to my son when I read your stories.
Posted by: Eileen Savitsky on 08/08/2011
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Mother
Hi Heather,
My son left on August 1 from New Orleans and I still have not got the phone call that the recruiter said that we would get. I miss him so much and still cry when I think about him and what he might be going thru. I would love to keep in touch with you. My son is 24 and I didn't realize that being a Marine was always in the back of his mind. I was just recently told this by a few of his friends. We are very Proud of him and his decision to serve our country, but on the other hand as a mother I am very scared for him. The helpless feeling of not being able to help him or comfort him is breaking my heart. It aches for him and I can't wait for the letter with his address. And most of all, I can't wait for Graduation Day and to see him in that Marine uniform. But again I have mixed feelings, on the one hand I am afraid that he won't make it all the way through and on the other hand, I want him back with our family and in a good job since he graduated from computer drafing & design at ITT Tech.
God Bless your son, my son, and all the young men and women who have made the decision to serve our great country and may they find the strength and courage to face the journey and endure the hardships of their decision.
Please keep in touch and we can exchange stories.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/06/2011
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Mother
This is awesome-the response from everyone! I really hope that at least a few of our kids are in the same battalion(or whatever they call it!). As soon as I get my postcard with his address and info I will post it so we can see! Thanks for writing back everyone, makes me feel better to know I'm not alone in all this..;)
Posted by: Heather White on 08/05/2011
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Mother
Just like our kids we have to stick together and stay strong.
Posted by: Laura Dorothea on 08/08/2011
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Mother
My son left Aug 1st after being sworn in at the Fort Hamilton Brooklyn location. We live in northern New Jersey. It's been extremely hard not knowing what's going on or how he's doing. I think it's great if we all stay in touch.
Posted by: Laura Dorothea on 08/04/2011
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Mother
My son also left from Jax on the 1st. We got the phone call tell us he arrived safely alot sooner than we expected. It was about 6:30 that afternoon when the call came through. I miss him terribly and can't wait until we can get a letter from him. Would love to keep in touch with all of you. These few days he has been gone feels like a lifetime already!
Posted by: Elizabeth Carr on 08/04/2011
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Mother
Hi Elizabeth,
If your are on Facebook, Laura Dorothea has set up a community for the parents of sons/daughters that left for Paris Island on Aug. 1 and set to graduate on Oct. 28 as follows: USMC August 1st Paris Island Parents - Hope to see you there.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/10/2011
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Mother
Hi Heather,
My baby who is 21 also left on that day. I miss him so much and was so upset as the recruiter said that the boys would call monday night between 10pm and 2am to let us know that they got to Paris Island ok. The call never came (and I stayed up all night so just I wouldn't miss it) lol. Sis you hear from your son at all? I just hope they are all doing ok. I can't even imagine what they are going through. I feel like my son was going to have a such a shock when he got there as he said he was not nervous and didn't expect it to be too bad. Unlike the many others who have posted my son only decided to join the Marines in Oct on his 21st birthday. I look forward to hearing from you.
Posted by: Maria Burkhead on 08/03/2011
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Mother
Hi Maria
My son left August 1, 2011 from New Orleans, LA, we have not gotten that phone call that his recruiter said we would get. I also waited up that night. We have never left the phone unattended. If I had to leave the house, my parents would come to stay to answer the phone. It never came.
God Bless our sons and all the young men and women that have made the decision to serve our great country. As a mother, I am scared for them, but on the other hand Proud of them. God give them the strength and courage to endure this journey into the unknown.
My heart is breaking from the feeling of helplessness and the not knowing of how he is feeling and praying that he never feels that this was not the right decision.
I would love to keep in touch and exchange stories.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/06/2011
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Former Marine
My son left same day. Got the 3 second phone call. Would love to stay in touch.
Posted by: Lynda Wigington on 08/02/2011
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Mother
Hi Lynda,
My son left August 1, 2011 from New Orleans, LA, we have not gotten that phone call that his recruiter said we would get. I waited up that night. We have never left the phone unattended. If I had to leave the house, my parents would come to stay to answer the phone. It never came.
God Bless our sons and all the young men and women that have made the decision to serve our great country. As a mother, I am scared for them, but on the other hand Proud of them. God give them the strength and courage to endure this journey into the unknown.
My heart is breaking from the feeling of helplessness and the not knowing of how he is feeling and praying that he never feels that this was not the right decision.
I would love to keep in touch and exchange stories.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/06/2011
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Former Marine
Debbie,
My son is 26. He has talked about joining for some time now. He lost his job last year. Tried to find another for months. Moved back in with us and kept job hunting. One day he said he was going to go talk to the recruiter the next day. He signed up in December. I somehow believe losing his job was no coincidence because had he waited much longer he would have been too old to join. I am happy for him.
I can honestly say that while I do miss him, I am confident he will do well and this was an excellent decision. My son grew up with the Corps as his dad was a career marine and I was also a marine. It's a good life. I never, ever regretted joining the Marine Corps.
I believe your son will do well. I will pray for him (and the others) as I do for my own son. I will let you know his platoon number as soon as I get the letter.
God Bless!
Lynda
Posted by: Lynda Wigington on 08/09/2011
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Mother
Lynda,
Laura Dorothea has set up a community on FACEBOOK for the parents of sons/daughters that left for Paris Island on August 1st and set to graduate on Oct. 28 as follows: USMC August 1st Paris Island Parents. Hope to see you there.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/10/2011
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Mother
My son just left on August 1 from Maryland. He is only 17 years old but wanted to do this since he was 13 yrs. old. I already miss him, and cry each time I think about him.
Posted by: Reshan Blackwell on 08/02/2011
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Mother
Hi Reshan
My son left August 1, 2011 from New Orleans, LA, we have not gotten that phone call that his recruiter said we would get. I also waited up that night. We have never left the phone unattended. If I had to leave the house, my parents would come to stay to answer the phone. It never came.
I had so much hope for him. He graduated from ITT Tech in computer drafting & design. But several of his friends told me that he always wanted to be a Marine. I have mixed feelings about his decision, on the one hand I am afraid that he won't make it thru since this is his dream and on the other hand, I want him home in a good job.
God Bless our sons and all the young men and women that have made the decision to serve our great country. As a mother, I am scared for them, but on the other hand Proud of them. God give them the strength and courage to endure this journey into the unknown.
My heart is breaking from the feeling of helplessness and the not knowing of how he is feeling and praying that he never feels that this was not the right decision.
I would love to keep in touch and exchange stories.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/06/2011
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Mother
My son left August 1 from Maryland also and is also only 17. Did you go to MEPS at Ft. Meade on the 1st to see him off (I wonder if I saw you)? It is so hard to think about him turning 18 down in SC w/o his family. I know how you feel, I think about him always and always feel like I am on the verge of tears. It is such a strange mix of sadness and being so very proud.
I did call his recruiter on Friday and the recruiter did share his platoon with me and he let me know that he made it through all the initial strength tests and stuff. Hearing that from the recruiter was such a relief.
Stay strong for your son! I'm sure he misses you like crazy too!
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen Savitsky on 08/08/2011
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Mother
Yes - my son left Aug. 1 for Parriss Island - I have told so many people I didnt know that I would feel like I do ! Yes - it would be nice to keep in touch !
Posted by: Tammy Tucker on 08/02/2011
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Mother
It is funny how often I think of him. I didn't feel this sad when he was away at college for a year. Just feels so different & sad. I really feel that if I had gotten that 2 second phone call I might feel a little better. I can't believe he hasn't even been there a week yet-it feels like a year.
Posted by: Maria Burkhead on 08/05/2011
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Mother
Hi Tammy
Sounds like our sons will be graduating on the same day on October 28, 2011. My son is 24. How old is your son?
My son left August 1, 2011 from New Orleans, LA, we have not gotten that phone call that his recruiter said we would get. I also waited up that night. We have never left the phone unattended. If I had to leave the house, my parents would come to stay to answer the phone. It never came.
I had so much hope for him. He graduated from ITT Tech in computer drafting & design. But several of his friends told me that he always wanted to be a Marine. I have mixed feelings about his decision, on the one hand I am afraid that he won't make it thru since this is his dream and on the other hand, I want him home in a good job.
God Bless our sons and all the young men and women that have made the decision to serve our great country. As a mother, I am scared for them, but on the other hand Proud of them. God give them the strength and courage to endure this journey into the unknown.
My heart is breaking from the feeling of helplessness and the not knowing of how he is feeling and praying that he never feels that this was not the right decision.
I would love to keep in touch and exchange stories.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/06/2011
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Mother
Tamm;y,
Laura Dorothea has set up a community on Facebook so we can communicate with each other for sons/daughters that left for Paris Island on August 1st. The facebook page is USMC August 1st Paris Island Parents - Hope to see you there.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Landry on 08/10/2011
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