We Got To See Thomas

Sunday
August 30, 2009

We woke up this morning and had our coffee in bed since we didn’t want to fight bugs outside. However, when I took the dogs out the bugs didn’t seem as bad as yesterday when we arrived. We both got cleaned up and headed off to Parris Island around ten o’clock.

First Sign We Saw Entering Parris Island


Our New Marine

We went to the exchange and started looking around for some marine T-shirts and other marine memorabilia. We didn’t know for sure what time Thomas would get his three hours of time off so it would just be a waiting game. We didn’t mind since it was our sole purpose today. We did learn from a girl that worked in the exchange restaurant that the recruits would be coming in around one o’clock. We went to the front of the exchange and just watched all the new Marines coming in hoping that either we would see Thomas or he would see us. After all the new Marines came in and we didn’t see him we figured he was heading to the phone center to make phone calls. Sure enough we got a phone call from him around 1:15. It was great to hear his voice. I told him where we were and that we would be waiting on him. He wanted to call Haley, his girlfriend and then would come see us at the exchange. The anticipation of seeing Thomas for Gina made minutes seem like hours. We kept watching Marines coming to the exchange trying to see if any of them were Thomas and then finally I recognized him when he was about 200 yards away walking with two other Marines, Bradley Ritter and Jarrett Goff. They are both from Kentucky.

Our First Sight of Thomas


Don't They Look Sharp!!!

We talked for a little while outside and then they wanted to go in the exchange and buy a watch. So off they went. Earlier when all the new Marines came into the exchange they were all buying watches which seemed odd to us. Then Thomas told us that’s how you can tell the difference between a recruit and a Marine since a recruit is not allowed to wear anything outside of his uniform and a Marine can. The exchange must have sold over a thousand watches yesterday.

Thomas Buying A Watch


Thomas's Buddies Buying Their Watches


A Happy Marine


Gina and Her Marine

From there Thomas and his buddies wanted some candy and a soda and Gina & I got a slice of pizza. We then went outside under the trees and visited with them. We got to hear a few stories and took a few pictures of them.

Pfc Ritter, Pfc Goff, & Pfc Thurston

(Three of America's Newest Marines)


Bradley Ritter and Jarrett Goff


Pfc Ritter


Pfc Goff


Pfc Thurston

He had wrote us earlier and told us he got advanced to “Private First Class”. We learned that the Drill Instructors only chose three individuals out of 74 and Thomas was one of them. The time seemed to be flying by as we sat and talked. At 3:30 we said our goodbyes since they had to be back at their barracks by 3:45.

Saying Our Goodbyes

We are so proud of Thomas and glad we got to meet two of his buddies. We felt really special because we got this chance to see him and spend a few hours with him a week before family day and graduation.

From there we called both Jarrett and Bradley’s parents to get their email addresses so we could send them some pictures of their son’s. Gina enjoyed speaking to them and we look forward to meeting them on family day. We left the base and drove around Beaufort and found a TJ Maxx, JC Penny, and Belk’s. Gina had to go into each. She didn’t find anything to buy but she still enjoys looking. In all our excitement we forgot to go to the commissary after Thomas left so we headed back to the base to pick up a few items at the commissary. From there we headed home. I downloaded all the pictures from my camera and then emailed them to Jarrett and Bradley’s parents. I then uploaded them to our online album so Nicole and Ashley could see their brother. Gina called them so they would know.

By this time Gina wanted to lay down so she went to bed and I set up in the recliner reading. I finally called it a night and went to bed.

I do not know how to express the gratitude that Gina and I felt yesterday watching these young new Marines. I know that each one of them volunteered to serve and defend this country even if that means going in harm’s way. These men & women today brought tears to my eyes seeing them in all their excitement and knowing that they are the one’s picking up the torch and carrying it on for the next generation to enjoy the same freedoms that we have enjoyed.

Until tomorrow, Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.