Letters from Justin and RJ...

Here are some words from my sons that I can share with.

Letter from Justin: 3-21-08
He made it to the base safely. Things have really gotten him into a lots of actives when they first arrived…he get all his gears, learn their songs, creeds, chants, cadences, formations and everything. He also go through medical by getting everything tested.. eyes, nose, mouth, flexibility and tons of shots.

His company ships down range for boot camp on Friday but he may have to join the next one so they can pulled his wisdom teeth out during the time. The first day they arrived, they kept them awake for 48 hours straight then really “Smoked” them in hard core. They make them do a lots of push up and sit ups till they fall over and make them do some more if they fail. Justin said he is having hard time to lift his arms. He also mentions there was a lots of yelled and he have lost some voices. They had to be up early in the morning which is 4:30am and it freezing out.

As soon, he into boot camp will be a lots way harder then he was when he first arrived but he looking forward to it. He want a challenge. He want the pain cause without pain there is no gain. Reason why he said this now but know that when he go through it. He will hate it at times but overall he think he will be glad he joined.


Letter from RJ: 3-?-08
He doing ok and misses Emily. He is going through the process raft right now. He have a new friend who is his buck mate “Shawn McHalhon” who is from Michigan and they became good friend. They flew together to Georgia. They have support each other from going through the stress.

He mention that his heal hurt really bad and it getting worse in each day. He keep telling himself that he can do it and trying so hard. He and his friend have really pushing through it.

Letter from Justin: 4-03-08
He is in basic/boot camp now. It had been a week and have not had any free time. They got on the bus to go down range, meaning going from processing to Boot Camp. This base is 50 square miles big! It a biggest Military base. They had them close their eyes so they didn’t start talking to each other. When they were pulled up, they were so nice to them then the second they stepped off the bus, they were screaming in their faces and it all began.

They are getting tons of stuff at the boot camp which they get rifles, hiking bag, sleeping bags, utility belts and etc. They had to marched about 3 miles there and then had to carry it all back. It weighs like 80 lbs. Since they have marched and RAN at least a few miles a day.

They also hiked 3 miles to a team building course. The course are fun. The next day they went to another obstacle course over water. They also went to Eagle Tower and it 65 feet tall and that is Justin favorite so far. They have done a lots of fighting lessons and pug gel fighting, too! He liking it so far.

Justin did see RJ but don’t think RJ see him. Justin was hoping to see RJ at the church.

Letter from RJ: 4-03-08
RJ doing ok. He started Boot Camp. There are 54 of them in the barracks. He hope it will get fun soon.
He mention that the graduation information will be send, soon! He really misses home life and misses everyone back home but 15 weeks will go by fast.