PHOTOS BELOW
Our son, Daniel, left for boot camp Wednesday June 24, 2009. He wasn’t suppose to leave until November, but an opening came up and he was anxious to begin his new life. My husband and I weren’t there to see him off due to a pre-payed vacation. Thankfully my mother and her husband had been staying with us for a few days and were there for their grandson’s departure. Honestly, I am glad my husband and I were leaving a few days prior to Daniel leaving. It was hard enough knowing Daniel would be on the East Coast while the rest of us were here on the West Coast.
My Mom, Del and Cody took Daniel to his recruiter’s station mid morning. Daniel left with one plastic grocery bag filled with a pair of pants and a shirt. Hey what about a toothbrush and toothpaste son? Or how about some clean boxers? Lol! I guess the recruiter didn’t leave specific enough instructions as to what he should pack. He just knew he was not to pack his computer, cell phone, and ITouch. Boy was that going to be hard for him. Daniel is one that can run all of them at once!
A few days after Brian and I were back from our trip, our house felt empty. It was strange walking into Daniel’s room and not seeing him sprawled out on his bed. We were also use to hearing him speak loudly while playing on his XBox via internet. We were quite excited receiving handwritten letters and hearing about his phone calls to his sweet girlfriend, Leilanie. She was so good about telling us that Daniel called. I still have each letter our son wrote us. Daniel said the first part of boot camp and the last part were the hardest. The first part was tough learning to do what your commander requested at all times. The last part they were prepping for their graduation. He graduated eight weeks later (Division 290) from Great Lakes, ILL. Our son sounded even more grown up then when he went into boot camp. They really do come out a man.
Daniel is now in Groton, CT where he is in Submarine Training School. He is very happy, has a great roommate, and can’t wait to get on his ship. He is due to come home sometime in December. We are anxious to see him face to face. I will include more pictures as I get them.
PHOTOS
Daniel and Leilanie in Great Lakes, ILL 8-09
Daniel leaving SM to LAX
Daniel TALL guy on front right. (6′3″)
Daniel in his room at Groton, CT. Just got an IPHONE. He’s happy now!
