Category Archives: Marines

N. C. State Capitol, Raleigh

Dear arrived in North Carolina 5 days after Katie and me. We met up with him in Raleigh last Saturday and spent the night before we headed back to Camp Lejeune. On our way we took the scenic route so we could stop at the state Capitol. It seemed small compared to other Capitols we’ve visited. We noticed that there were churches on most corners across all sides of the Capitol.

This was our suite at the Marriott Residence Inn, Crabtree. We were happy for the comforts here after a very long Saturday filled with adventures we weren’t expecting.

The Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor and those who lost their lives that day are being remembered Wednesday on the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack that brought the U.S. into World War II. Dear’s father and several uncles served during World War II.

Today (Wednesday) we are making a round trip to Raleigh to pick up Andrew and Katie’s used car that ended up needing a couple recall issues fixed. Yesterday their couch, loveseat, washer, dryer, and mattresses were delivered. We now have comfortable seating that we’ve been looking forward to for 2 days. Dear installed the garage door opener and it’s working like a charm. Katie and I didn’t realize when we ordered the washer and dryer that we would need extra installation parts like hoses, etc., so Dear will be making one more trip to Home Depot or Lowe’s.

So…are you done with your Christmas shopping? I’m not done. I’ve hardly started and my house is not decorated. Hope that makes someone feel better out there.

It’s Luh-Jern not Lejeune…

For years people have been pronouncing Camp Lejeune like it’s spelled but the family that the Base is named after finally decided to correct everyone and give them the proper pronunciation.

We’re still working on the inside of the house and I’ll post before and after photos later. For now I’ll just show you some of the good food we’ve been eating cuz y’all know for me it’s all about the food! There are several middle of the road restaurants in Jacksonville, lots of fast food joints some having double drive throughs. I’ve never seen double drive throughs. There is one restaurant that has more unique and very well made food and we really enjoyed it.

My lamb was delicious and Katie’s steak was tender and good.

The mussels had a great sauce for dipping. Now that Dear has joined us in North Carolina we’ll be going to this restaurant again. If you ever find yourself in Jacksonville, North Carolina we highly recommend Ducks Grille and Bar.

Cities adjacent to huge military bases draw a multitude of establishments you won’t see in such quantities elsewhere. I couldn’t number the barber shops on my fingers and toes here. There are Tattoo parlors galore. Furniture stores with next day deliveries are in abundance. Tobacco Shops and car accessory shops and video shops. This town probably has one of the highest ratios of 18-22 year old residents because of the military camps here.

Have a great Monday y’all…

We’ve Gone Beyond…

…and back.

3 full shopping carts of goodies for Katie and Andrew’s Base housing. Katie had a pocket full of gift cards that she had received at Bridal showers. We spent it all. When everything was bagged up we had to lug 4 shopping carts out to the car. Today we continued our quest to get some essentials. The more we work around the house the more we find we need. You know things like scissors and trash cans

On Saturday we are driving to Raleigh to pick up a used car that Andrew’s step brother found for Katie and Andrew. We’ll pick up Dear from the airport and drop off our rental car. This next week we’ll be breaking in the used car and making sure everything works well.

Grateful!

We are so grateful that God brought us safe to Camp Lejeune and that Katie has her and Andrew’s keys to their new home.

It was no easy feat for the two of us to get all these suitcases off the luggage carousel at the airport, into the shuttle van, into our first hotel, into our rental car, out of the rental car and into the new home. We are both so happy to have that part of this journey over! Today we shopped till we dropped.

Tomorrow we have to attend a fire safety course on Base and try to get cable/internet services set up. Wow, we are heading into December already. Do you have your tree yet?

Happy 236th Birthday USMC!

November 10, 2011 is the 236th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corp. Since Andrew is on deployment Katie and he will miss this years Marine Ball celebration.

Katie and I are delivering cupcakes to the local Marine recruiting office today to wish them a happy birthday.

Semper Fi! Oorah! Happy Birthday to the Marines!

The Blue Star Service Banner

Katie received her Blue Star Service Banner in the mail this week and we are proudly displaying it in our front window…

The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.

On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional Record: “…The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother – their children.”

During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the flag as well as guidelines indicating when and by whom the Service flag could be flown or the Service Lapel button could be worn.

The Blue Star Service Banner typically displayed in windows is an 8.5 by 14-inch white field with a blue star(s) sewn onto a red banner. The size may vary but should be in proportion to the size of the U.S. Flag.

Today Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces including the National Guard and Reserves of all military departments. The banner displayed in the front window of a home shows a family’s pride in their loved one serving in the military, and reminds others that preserving America’s freedom demands much. It can also be displayed by businesses and organizations as well.

There are some sorrowful things in our world and my world right now. It is wonderful to have hope in all God has done for us through Jesus Christ…

Hope you have hope in the one who is able to save all that is lost.

Corinthians 4:16-18

New International Version (NIV)

 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Just in Time…

…for the Major League Soccer season opener in Seattle my flagpole was ready to hoist it’s flags. We’re proud to wave the American flag and our Seattle Sounders flag, too. We also have our Marine Corp flag that will be waving proudly.

 

Dear mixed up the concrete base for the flagpole on Saturday. On Monday we were ready to set the telescoping flag pole in and to raise the flags. Josh and Dear did the honors. Long may they wave! We take them down at Sunset since we do not have a light to illuminate the Stars and Stripes.

Last night at the opening ceremonies they had representatives from all the Military Service Branches. They unrolled and held and waved huge flags on the pitch. The Few. The Proud. The Marines. They were the brightest and the best. They never flinched, slouched, or let go of the flag. I bumped into a few of them during halftime and complimented them. Of course they replied “Thank you Ma’am” , because they are very polite, too.

 

Our daughter is marrying a Marine and we are proud of him! OO-RAH!

The origin of OO-RAH ~

U.S. Marines were the word’s first proprietors, using it to express contentment or to set expectations. And although use-dependent, the word OO-RAH can take on a variety of meanings. Now after languishing in military jargon obscurity for decades, it has rapidly become much more commonly known as even civilians associate its use with Marines.

The spelling of the word has never been standardized, as is often the case with phonetic interpretations of a sound that can only be properly formed at the bottom of the lungs. Variant spellings include “OORAH,” “OOHRAH,” and “OOH-RAH.” However it is spelled, it is recognizable as distinctly Marine whether spoken or written, and it can easily be distinguished from the Army version, the venerable but significantly less motivating “HOO-AH.”

Hope your Wednesday is going well. I’m a wee bit tuckered out from all the partying and fun we’ve been having around here this week. I slept in and missed my Zumba class this morning. I’m enjoying a little sunshine but I hear it’s not suppose to last so for the time being I’ll bask in it. Tomorrow I’ll be making corned beef and cabbage to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

These things I warmly wish to you-
Someone to love
Some work to do
A bit o’ sun
A bit o’ cheer
And a guardian angel always near.

~

Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.

~

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
God is good, but never dance in a small boat.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

How Precious is This!?

 

Our future son-in-law Andrew who is a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune received this letter today. He really appreciated it and got a big kick out of it. I think you will too! Any teachers out there who want to make someone who is serving in the military feel appreciated this would be a worthwhile project. I think Andrew will have fun answering this letter.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

India Company Graduation ~ MCRD Parris Island

 

On Graduation day we saw the sunrise again for the third day in a row. I dropped Katie off at the Parade Deck stands so she could grab some good seats for us. Then I zoomed down to the visitor’s center to grab some coffee and a little nosh for us.

The sun came up and things actually got a little cooler when it did. Doesn’t our girl look sweet in the sunshine? Graduation wasn’t due to start till 9:00 A.M. so we had lots of time to occupy ourselves. People watching is always fun.

 

Finally the platoons marched in precision onto the parade deck to the beat that the Marine Corp band performed for them and us. The band played some patriotic songs and of course the National Anthem but then out of the blue they played the following song combined with a great swagger and the audience was surprised and cheered!

 

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning,
No one could be sweeter than my sweetie when I meet her in the morning.
Where the morning glories
Twine around the door,
Whispering pretty stories
I long to hear once more.
Strolling with my girlie where the dew is pearly early in the morning,
Butterflies all flutter up and kiss each little buttercup at dawning,
If I had Aladdin’s lamp for only a day,
I’d make a wish and here’s what I’d say:
Nothing could be finer than to be with Carolina in the morning.

Then I zoomed in to catch our Marine. Andrew is 2nd one back.

 

They marched closer to the stands just before they would be released for their 10 day leave. Andrew is 2nd row third Marine in.

 

First row third Marine in…

Love this smile when he spotted Katie.

Congratulations PFC Andrew for graduating and earning Expert on the firing range.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.