miss erica on Pop'o's lap with Grams and Grandma Cathy at a Storm Baseball game 1995 apx

posted by:darlene r.

photo removed

“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.”
Bethany Hamilton
greatest female surfer of our time

posted by: darlene r.

Thanks Katie & Waymon

my baby girl 'miss america'

An extra Special thanks to my friends Waymon & Katie... They are giving me my plane flights!! I worked with Katie at Michael's Arts & Crafts. I don't know what I would of done without their help! It is so awesome of them! I am sooo grateful, pleased and thankful. It's friends like that, that makes this crazy world a better place. I do miss seeing Katie everyday at work, so once in a blue moon we girls from Michael's try to get together. Just want to say thank you and God Bless them for their generosity! *HUGS & prayers to you :)

written & posted by: darlene r.

Training Week 8 ~TEAM WEEK~

This schedule is of course subject to change due to weather, holidays and the needs of the company. TD42 Monday **Start of Team Week** Team week is a time for the recruits to get caught up on any testing they need (swim quall, upgrade if required by their MOS or qualify on the range so they don't get dropped in training). But since not everyone needs to do that, the rest of them work around base in small groups doing odd jobs. Cleaning up the classrooms, working at the visitor center making things spic and span, working at the base laundry (where their cammies are washed) It is a nice break in their routine of hustle and bustle everywhere! The small unit field training will occur at MCT or SOI. Today they are supposed to have: ~Rifle re-qualification for those that need it ~Upgrades in swim qualifications for those that need it for their MOS ~Work around the base in teams of about 5-10 recruits doing odd jobs for different offices, laundry and even the pool ~Some will also have to go to dental if they are on the "hit list" for teeth pulling or fillings or cleanings. ~yikes~ This week is a nice break from the go, go, go, of the daily routine. TD43 Tuesday Today is a day of working parties (groups of recruits due maintenance around the base) or rifle re-qualification if necessary or swim qualification upgrade if required by MOS. At least it is a break from the normal routine.... Lead Series will also get to do the obstacle course and run some sprints to work on their speed. TD44 Wednesday Today is a day of working parties (groups of recruits due maintenance around the base) or rifle re-qualification if necessary or swim qualification upgrade if required by MOS. At least it is a break from the normal routine.. Tomorrow will be better. However, Follow Series will get to do that PT that Lead Series got to do yesterday: the obstacle course and sprints! TD45 Thursday Ok I promised a better post today.... Lead Series Final Travel a visit to the exchange a haircut rifle quall if needed still Follow Series Working parties still swim quall upgrade if needed still rifle quall if needed still TD46 Friday Graduation is only 4 weeks away!!! Today's agenda is essentially a flip-flop of yesterday... Lead Series Working parties again swim quall upgrade if needed rifle quall if still needed. Follow Series Final Travel a visit to the exchange a haircut rifle quall if needed still TD47 Saturday Today is a 7.5mi hike to help prepared them for the crucible; an academic study session for the big test, and last but not least the Company Commanders Inspection! So wishing the girls luck in their inspection.... posted by: darlene r.

Thanks Twila

Just wanted to put a special thanks out to Twila from Washington (and Danielle) for sending me the Marine recruit signs for my yard that was so sweet!

from: darlene r.

Letter dated : June 27th

Dear MOM,

I have a little time to write you, so here it goes. Today is Sunday (last week)

my Platoon just finished up its grass week, and that was exactly that,

we sat in the grass for hours on end learning about the positions and here and there,

we would go back to the sheds, which is a room with two walls and benches and

talk about DATA book and things of that nature. Tomorrow is the start of Rifle week

(which actually ended today) and then I'll be able to fire my M16 for the second time.

It barely has a kick, it's a 22 on steroids.

Oh, the gas chamber wasn't as bad as I thought, it stung a little on my neck then we

had to do jumping jacks in the room. I found out that I don't care for jumping off

a 70 foot tower ( as she tells bryan: "I don't care for running backwards at full speed,

speeding towards the ground")

We are working practically every day for Drill.

Yesterday we had PFT (physical fitness test) I could of done better with the hang time.

Run time 24:33 (3 miles)

Hang time 56 seconds

crunches 100 (in 2 minutes)

:) Love Erica

(Erica tells bryan that boot camp is sooo "cool", It's been hard,

but believe it or not its ALL mental, I can take the physical, in fact PT here is nothing compared to PT at the recruit station ---'I (mom) used to think is he trying to kill her? Thought she'd quit for sure!, I knew my little girl was tough, but I had no idea how tough!')

Hoping for another letter soon that gives us the update on her rifle week.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Happy Birthday America! Be Safe everyone!

posted by:darlene r.

checking the weather

I know today was a hot one here.

I have my weather bug set to Erica's address at Parris Island SC,

It was 100 degrees at 9 pm(2100 hours) last night there... now thats HOT

Poor things I do know with the humidity if its over 90 degrees they move training in doors

or on to some other training they can do.

Read that on the Parris Island site, I do hope it is true.

posted by:darlene r.