You may have heard me mention my nephew joining the Marine’s before but here’s a little more info about him…
Calvin, 18 years old, went from being a homeschooled high-schooler working two jobs, to a nobody in MARINE CORP boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina.
Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem. –Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985
He prepared as much as he could and did really well on all his exams but his first letter home said it was nothing like what he expected. He said it was NOTHING like the YouTube videos!
It’s MUCH worse. There is a lot of mind control. “PICK IT UP! PUT IT DOWN! PICK IT UP!”
He shipped out just before Halloween (the day after my daughters 2nd birthday to be exact) and he will be gone until January. Ya know, unless he breaks something really bad has to come home. So he will be gone for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even his birthday which is also in December.
He is having a tough time and has been begging for more letters from home…. SSOOOOO I decided to get some help from YOU!
Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share. –Ned Dolan
If you have or know a family member in the military, if you love our men and women for their service or even if you’d just like to encourage a brave young man going through a tough time, PLEASE leave a comment below with your words of advice or encouragement and I will put together an uplifting letter to mail to him!
In the name section of your comment please leave the name you’d like for me to refer to you as. Also, if you’d like to write your own personalized letter to him, please email it to me and I will mail it for you!
It doesn’t have to be long or take much time to write, anything uplifting will greatly be appreciated and will significantly improve his day!
Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They’re aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They’ve got really short hair and they always go for the throat. –RAdm. “Jay” R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995
Please let him now we are thankful for his service!
Wow. With a 17 yr old son about to graduate high school, it’s hard not to read about your nephew and think about my own child. I would say this to him: You are on the path to greatness. You chose a path that may not be simple, but the easy way is rarely the most rewarding. As tough as things get, know that you are being prepared for challenges you may not be able to even comprehend may exist in your future. Stay strong. Dig deep and know that you will survive this. Fortitude will get you far. Take it day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute if you have to. Just know you will get through. Thank you for what you are doing for our country.
Tell him that it’s tough, but he WILL get through it. My cousin went into Marine boot camp about 13 weeks ago. He was always the most sensitive out of all my cousins, the one we thought would go into some type of teaching profession or something. We were all surprised when he wanted to join the Marines. The first few weeks were horrible, and I think he was looking for a way to come home. Right now though, at this very moment, he’s doing the Crucible part and then he’s done. So it’s beyond hard, but it does end. Good luck, Calvin!
Thanks everyone, these are all very sweet comments! I’m Calvin’s mom! Nikki congrats to your cousin! How exciting for him, as soon as he finishes the crucible he will be a Marine and get his Eagle Globe and Anchor! 🙂 That’s awesome!
Calvin, you are doing an amazing and selfless thing by joining the Marines. It is going to be the hardest thing you have ever done, but will also probably be one of the most rewarding. That’s usually how it goes, right? When we accomplish something that takes EVERYTHING WE HAVE to get through, we feel so much stronger at the end of it than we ever thought we could have.
You can make it through this and you will make a fantastic Marine when all is said and done.
Thanks so much for your willingness to serve our country. I know that with hard work and dedication you will make a fine soldier. I pray the God will bless you and keep you safe, Calvin! Praying for you here in our home!
He is doing a wonderful job! We all appreciate your dedication to this country and to keeping us safe!
I love this idea!! My stepbrother is in the Air Force and he was in a similar situation, missing Halloween, birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas during his first year. I remember him calling and saying that he was so sad that he couldn’t see my son dressed up for Halloween. Funny thing, though, he never really was super duper overly bonded with my son, but this almost brought him to tears.
To your nephew: You are making such a huge sacrifice for us and we are all truly grateful. While this time is hard for you in the present, you will get through this with God’s guidance, and your faith in Him. You will look back on this time and hold your head up high and know that you can get through anything. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to hearing about your accomplishments on the other side!!
Calvin, I am proud of you for doing something you believe in. You are doing an amazing thing by supporting our country.
It makes it so much more real when you know somebody who is serving!
Keep your chin up, Calvin!
I also have a nephew who is in the Marines – he has yet to be shipped out overseas. We’re looking for that to happen in early 2012. I know boot camp was tough & it’s even tougher when you have to be away from family at times that are important to you.
Know that your family is so proud of you, as I am so proud of my nephew. We all thank you for the service you are doing for this country & for helping to preserve our freedom.
My prayers & best wishes are with you – stay safe!
Very proud of your nephew… that’s a big decision to make. Just sent you an email with some words of encouragement for him.
As an Army wife, and sister of a Marine, this post touches my heart. He will be in our prayers!
We are all so very proud. We all love you so much, Calvin! Thanks to Amy for doing such a nice post for Calvin. Thanks to Traci for raising such a good son. Thanks for all the nice comments. Grandpa and I miss you, but we are rooting for you as you are doing what you felt in your heart was the best. Thanks to you and all those in the military and their families.
I just stumbled on this site by accident and I couldn’t resist. Calvin, no matter how hard it gets, you’ll make it! Take if from someone who made it 40 years ago. Thank you for your courage and love of country to make this sacrifice for all of us. Of course I don’t know you, but everyone who is in or has served in the corps are brothers.
From an old Rottweiler; not as trim but still as big and mean as ever.
Hoorah!
the pain and discouragment you feel now is susposed to happen. you will remember these feelins and on the battle field you will succeed. i have been over seas and fought the good fight. i love the corps, i would do it again if i had to. dont give up stay strong and when you get your EGA you will understand why youve gone through this all. keep charging and semper fi
Calvin,
My son is leaving for boot camp today and I am very worried for him and all of the military! I am so grateful for your service to this country! What you are enduring to keep all of us safe…is remarkable!!! By now ,you have probably completed your training and are indeed a Marine!!!Congratulations and Thank You for your service!!!Semper Fidelis!!!
My son, Harold L. Hppe III joined the Marines on July 27th, he will appreciate a letter of encouragement from you which will help him to endure the 13 week boot camp. He like you left two jobs and is in Parris Island, SC for boot camp. So a word will help.
Hope, Harold, L
2nd RTBN PLT#2084 Co G
Box 16245
Parris Island, SC 29905-6245
Thanks
My son is in Boot Camp right now he went in April 4th and will graduate July 1st. He is having a really hart d time right now. He has the swimming coming up next week and is not to good at swimming so he worries about that. He is 24 and has tried since 18 to get in and finally made it in so he is not a quitter. He is homesick. I really appreciate what you are doing. Thank you Calvin for your service.
My nephew had a hard time with the swimming portion too. He still is not a great swimmer, but he made it. Best of luck to your son!
Hello All,
My 17 year old daughter just left June 19, 2016 to Parris Island. She joined the Marines as well. I’m having a very difficult time myself. I can only imagine what she’s going through. I have her address now and I will be writing to her daily.
Calvin, Thank you so much for your service.
Amy,
My son left for the Marine Corp recruit training on Monday. I know that your nephew left quite some time ago but I was wondering when I get his address if you would write some words of encouragement to him? All the blogs I have read have said that they can’t get enough letters. I would greatly appreciate it if you would. Please let me know. I thank your Nephew for his service!
Yes, absolutely! Letters are gold! Just let me know when you get it!
I need help. My uncle left for boot camp in August and we just got his mailing address. I want to write him so bad but I don’t know what to say.
They all love getting letters! I’m sure he will be thrilled no matter what you say. Tell him how things are going at home? Any news about other family members – birthdays, engagements? Anything that lets him know you’re thinking of him!
My son left to boot camp in San Diego, just last Monday. One week down, twelve to go. I don’t have his address yet, but have been writing letters to him daily. Please thank your nephew for his service. These young men and women are my heros!!! Please continue to pray each day for all that serve our country. Semper Fi!
I have only one child who joined in the Marine Corps for boot camp last June 26, 2017 and I am very worried for him and all of the military. Please give them encouragement, prayers and support or maybe texting/writing. I am really appreciate for your help and moral support ! Thank you very much !!!
My son just left for boot camp in California on Monday, and I am such a nervous wreck! Every thought is going through my head….”Is he ok? Is he safe? Has he found friends so they can lean on each other when the times are tough? etc etc etc”. All I can say is my strength to stay positive and to be strong is all for him. Otherwise I’d lose my mind! LOL! I don’t have his address to write yet, but I have already started writing letters so they’ll be ready to send when it’s time. I have started including an inspiration or uplifting quote in each of his letters. Thank you everyone for the positive and uplifting idea to write! Say a prayer for all our military!
Hi Lisa,
My oldest son, Andrew, left our home state of Maine for USMC boot camp at Parris Island on December 5, 2017 and as I write this message, I am now sitting next to my husband and children as we return home from his graduation ceremony just two days ago!
If my calculations are correct, your son should be preparing to enter his ninth week of training at this point (based on the date stamp of your post above) and by now, you must have his mailing address. I too had all of the same anxieties that you describe and I cannot stress enough how important it is for family members, friends and loved ones to write and do so as often as possible. Andrew explained to me that the recruits do form a brotherhood and as they progress through the different phases of training, things do become “easier”. The fear, stress and uncertainty that they first experience upon arrival eventually transforms into a level of strength, motivation and sense of accomplishment like no other!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son and I wish him much success in the remaining weeks of training. Enjoy Family Day and graduation in the coming weeks …it’s an experience he and your family will never forget.
Semper Fi!!!
Signed a very proud mom of a US Marine ??
Lee Ann Arnold
Hi again,
Don’t know why my post inserted question marks by my signature…that was supposed to be a heart! Lol
Also, I wanted to mention something that I sent to my son. Do a Google search for “Words to my son before the Crucible”. As I explained in my mailing to Andrew at the time, although the words were not my own, the words of the passage are beautiful and could not have been more true! Also, I used Pinterest and other web searches for inspirational quotes and sayings to include in my letters to him. Hope this is helpful!
Best,
Lee Ann