Getting ready to set foot on OORAH NATION!! WOOT WOOT!!
Really wish I was taking my laptop with me in order to blog, but I'm already making Aislynn carry my crazy luggage of a purse as "her" own carry on. Poor kid.
Anywho... Chelsey is coming into her 3rd and final day of the crucible. I came across this before I wrote my last letter to her, and thought I'd share it with you guys.
"It's the night before the Crucible
And it's quiet in your Bay
And as YOU toss and turn this night
Your Mom and Dad begin to pray.
A prayer not of completion
For we know you're highly skilled
It's more a prayer of vigilance
That you're safe upon the field.
We're closer than you think my Daughter
We'll be there with every step
And while you dream of finishing
It's your Parents who haven't slept.
Time to wake, it's three a.m.
Before the rising sun
So square away your gear and get
Your ALICE and your gun.
The march today will be feat
A hundred "klicks" it seems
But YOU and your Platoon stay sharp
You're soon-to-be MARINES.
Your "war belt" weighs a thousand pounds
As you slog through mud and slime
And you know before this trial ends
The "Reaper" you must climb.
Your arms will ache from carrying
The injured "up and over"
An obstacle some forty feet
You can do it; you're a soldier.
The MRE's are dry as H---
Takes canteens to quench the thirst
Your stomach feels like it's inside out
An you think it can't get worse.
Four hours sleep in fifty-four
It's the turning of the wheel
Battlegrounds aren't made for wimps
Just Marines of time-forged steel.
This is what you've trained for
With sweat and tears and blood
Remember that when you're on your belly
Crawing through the mud.
Your bayonet will strike its mark
Your shots will all be true
For now a Warrior you've become
It's what you've trained to do.
You're not worried about appearances
A mirror is not in sight
And where your long hair once was
You sport a "high and tight."
A flash of light, a "moon beam"
Strikes eerily upon your face
You wear a mask of tubes and straps
You're disguised to withstand mace.
Rappelling down the sides of cliffs
Or moving through the mire
You've been trained by the very BEST
It's a test of strength by fire.
And when you feel you're at the point
Where completion can't be done
Stay true, stay fast, you're almost there
The race is nearly run.
You'll soon join ranks with Brothers
Those who have gone before
It's not easy but then it never was
To become "Esprit de Corps."
And in the last few hours when
You know you've survived the worst
Think of all the bone-weary times
For this moment you've rehearsed.
You'll wear your necktie two blocked
Blouse creases fore and aft
You'll walk a little taller now
All things past ARE past.
Standing on Parade Deck
At the end of thirteen weeks
You exemplify strength and courage
As tears run down YOUR cheeks...
Take refuge in your confidence
You've brought honor to your team
YOU are now a WOMAN my Daughter.
A UNITED STATES MARINE."
And it's quiet in your Bay
And as YOU toss and turn this night
Your Mom and Dad begin to pray.
A prayer not of completion
For we know you're highly skilled
It's more a prayer of vigilance
That you're safe upon the field.
We're closer than you think my Daughter
We'll be there with every step
And while you dream of finishing
It's your Parents who haven't slept.
Time to wake, it's three a.m.
Before the rising sun
So square away your gear and get
Your ALICE and your gun.
The march today will be feat
A hundred "klicks" it seems
But YOU and your Platoon stay sharp
You're soon-to-be MARINES.
Your "war belt" weighs a thousand pounds
As you slog through mud and slime
And you know before this trial ends
The "Reaper" you must climb.
Your arms will ache from carrying
The injured "up and over"
An obstacle some forty feet
You can do it; you're a soldier.
The MRE's are dry as H---
Takes canteens to quench the thirst
Your stomach feels like it's inside out
An you think it can't get worse.
Four hours sleep in fifty-four
It's the turning of the wheel
Battlegrounds aren't made for wimps
Just Marines of time-forged steel.
This is what you've trained for
With sweat and tears and blood
Remember that when you're on your belly
Crawing through the mud.
Your bayonet will strike its mark
Your shots will all be true
For now a Warrior you've become
It's what you've trained to do.
You're not worried about appearances
A mirror is not in sight
And where your long hair once was
You sport a "high and tight."
A flash of light, a "moon beam"
Strikes eerily upon your face
You wear a mask of tubes and straps
You're disguised to withstand mace.
Rappelling down the sides of cliffs
Or moving through the mire
You've been trained by the very BEST
It's a test of strength by fire.
And when you feel you're at the point
Where completion can't be done
Stay true, stay fast, you're almost there
The race is nearly run.
You'll soon join ranks with Brothers
Those who have gone before
It's not easy but then it never was
To become "Esprit de Corps."
And in the last few hours when
You know you've survived the worst
Think of all the bone-weary times
For this moment you've rehearsed.
You'll wear your necktie two blocked
Blouse creases fore and aft
You'll walk a little taller now
All things past ARE past.
Standing on Parade Deck
At the end of thirteen weeks
You exemplify strength and courage
As tears run down YOUR cheeks...
Take refuge in your confidence
You've brought honor to your team
YOU are now a WOMAN my Daughter.
A UNITED STATES MARINE."
We're expecting a 2 minute call from her on Sunday to let us know if she graduated or not, but c'mon... really? We already know! She's a Romero for crying out loud! Once you put your mind to it and your eyes to the Lord, there's no stopping you!
SEMPER FI, BABY!
Faith and Love,
Casey
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