Miss Ericas week home

the statue is of Molly Marine


I was thinking about all of you who did not get to see miss Erica in person. You would be amazed at the change in her. So sorry she couldn't meet up with you all.. it was such a busy and tight schedule.

Lets see she graduated on Friday 8/7

we drove to florida and flew home with the flight from he** on Saturday 8/8

early Sunday 8/9 went to church in dress blues, many "congratulations and be safe Marine"

were said to her, went to breakfast with the family,

that was the first time she got to see her brother and her great grandpa since boot camp.

Monday 8/10 was gym and a day with Bryan they went and saw Harry Potter.

Tuesday 8/11 was gym and day with friends.

Wednesday 8/12 was gym and Erica cleaned out her closet, we went and saw GI Joe.

Thursday 8/13 was Gym then Disneyland with her best friend.

Friday 8/14 was MCRD San Diego to finish our shopping

that really a little was done each day,

but today we had to get stuff from the base that she needed.

Saturday 8/15 was lunch at Rain Forest Cafe with family.

Sunday 8/16 was church and family, and pack.

Monday 8/17 was off to LAX and fly to North Carolina.

Tuesday 8/18 was check in at base and start MCT.

crazy week .... not nearly enough time.

But here we are only 10 days from MCT graduation.

I wish I could go, but alas I have not won the Lotto yet. LOL

Hoping for a phone call tomorrow.

I also wanted to tell you all, it has really helped me to write her blog...

its a great way to keep you all up to date and relax myself,

but the format will be a little different from now on.

As her job has top secret clearance and all,

she wont be able to give some info and I wont be posting all I know.

Mainly it will be generic stuff like type of job, round about location etc.

Her personal thoughts maybe just for laughs.

But I will still try to do what I can.

For example we all know Bryce is in Afghanistan, you know in some smoldering hot location that remains un-named LOL! we write, we send goodies, Kim and Val get calls rarely.

So soon enough that will be the boat Erica is in,

it also depends on her command what is allowed to be posted.

I have been watching another female Marine's blog, she is in a high clearance situation,

and can only say she is over seas.. and photos never show her face.

Just her working or her back LOL

But she has interesting insight. So if it calls for it I might have to change her blog to friends only.

But we will cross that bridge when and if we come to it.

I hope you all are having a lovely Labor Day weekend!

and keep your fingers crossed for a phone call tomorrow and maybe some more info :)

*hugs to you all ~Darlene

my girl

can you believe this is the same girl ...

what a year 2008 HS grad to Marine 2009

posted by: darlene r.

woohoo a phone call.. though it was very short

Miss Erica did call today... though it was very short.

She said it s****s there.. long days no showers, I told her I was gonna send some

baby wipes, two girls in the back ground cheered, then Erica said yeah!

It was so funny! Never heard anyone get so excited over wet wipes LOL

They are staying at the range now, she said they are all in an old airplane hanger,

called a hooch. They have been practicing a lot! They were there for test firing

on AT4's (tank missiles). They were taught how to use grenade launchers,

which she thought was so cool.

Then they had to throw grenades, though she said that was a little scary.

I talked with a guy from work today who is a retired Marine.

He said back in the day, they did not train everyone all the combat,

because they were non-infantry,

but now a days they want every one trained in case

they are in a situation and they would be able to handle it.

Erica said she would try to call again next sunday. :)

writen & posted by: darlene r.

keeping my finders crossed

for a phone call :)

Hotel Co. 3rd Platoon commanders/trainers

Erica's company

posted by: darlene r.

short note..

:) Received a very short note from Erica today...

"Well it's Monday (8/24/09) I've been here a week.

We are a "mixed" platoon 87 all together,

we are outnumbered by the guys 2 to 1.

Anyways its only training day six, each day counts unlike boot camp.

The food is good but to unhealthy for my taste.

Don't expect much letters, we get up between 3 am and 5 am

it depends on what's going on that day.

We PT before chow, straight after chow we run down to classes that

are about a half an hour away,

then we go to Prac. App. (practice application) where we practice hands on.

The classes are three to four hours long.

They changed my mos again and its completely different from what I what.

I'll write you soon and let you know.

Love you and miss you much,

Erica"

posted by: darlene r.

Senior Drill Instructor Sgt Jenkins & Pvt Erica

missing miss erica but...

I am missing Miss Erica but glad she is happy what she is doing.

Talked to a couple people today who's kids are in different companies,

and they have not received one phone call :(

I even got an email from Erica's company commander just letting the parents know that our Marines are safe and hard at work. That phones calls would be few and letters as well, if any, since they will be in the field. That if something should happen, parents are notified asap.

We are welcome for graduation on September 15th in North Carolina.

I wish I could go, but as you know I barely made it to Boot Camp grad, if it were not for friends and co-workers I would not of been able to.

If miss Erica does not get RA after grad I am Hoping that she can get it around christmas time.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

written and posted by: darlene r.