I met Gray when he was 16, so it’s a little hard to believe Colleen’s little brother (now my brother-in-law) is old enough to defend our country. Apparently the Marine Corps doesn’t find it hard to believe because they’ve found a spot for him in Iraq for the next 6 months. This will be his first overseas tour, as a First Lieutent and a pilot, and we are all very, very proud of him.
I don’t really know what it’s like to be a Marine Corps wife. Jeff was in the Reserves and he was out by the time we got married. I do see the pride, though, when I talk to my mother-in-law, Caroline, about her role as a Marine Corps wife to my father-in-law, a Marine Corps Major General. I witness the honor at every Marine Corps ball I’ve ever attended (yes, I got to meet the Commandant last year!) I feel the love and support every time I look at Gray and Katie, practically still newlyweds. I feel proud as I watch them buying a beautiful house that she will make into a home while he is off defending his country.
- Gray and Katie and me during their visit to Charlotte a few months ago.
Gray has email. I don’t know how often he will have access to it, but thank God we have that lifeline to him. Katie is already keeping us updated at every moment about where he is and how he’s doing. And although when I look at Gray I sometimes still see that teenager who was more than willing to snag us some beers from a cooler at a certain Fourth of July party so that we could play drinking games, I also see a Marine. And I am proud.
Comments
8 responses to “The strength of family, the strength of a Marine”
With both a brother and a father not only in the military but also in Iraq I can sympathize. I’m very proud of both of them. Good luck to Gray and Katie.
Last blog post from Chris – Granola bars, Nuclear bombs and … sex
With both a brother and a father not only in the military but also in Iraq I can sympathize. I’m very proud of both of them. Good luck to Gray and Katie.
Last blog post from Chris – Granola bars, Nuclear bombs and … sex
A good friend of mine did 3 middle-east deployments in the Navy over the past 5 years, and I don’t know how different it is in the Marines, but via either email, instant messaging, or even sometimes a webcam, I heard from him a few times a week.
Last blog post from Heather – What Kind of Person Studies for a Personality Test?
A good friend of mine did 3 middle-east deployments in the Navy over the past 5 years, and I don’t know how different it is in the Marines, but via either email, instant messaging, or even sometimes a webcam, I heard from him a few times a week.
Last blog post from Heather – What Kind of Person Studies for a Personality Test?
I appreciate the post, Melissa. He’s an amazing Marine and husband… and I know in my heart he’s doing what he was called to do. That makes me more proud every day to be married to him. Love you and miss you so very much! Hopefully in March we’ll get a girls weekend together!
I appreciate the post, Melissa. He’s an amazing Marine and husband… and I know in my heart he’s doing what he was called to do. That makes me more proud every day to be married to him. Love you and miss you so very much! Hopefully in March we’ll get a girls weekend together!
[…] going to be an aunt! My brother-in-law, Gray, and his wife, Katie, are expecting! This will be the first niece/nephew on that side of the family, and it is so […]
[…] going to be an aunt! My brother-in-law, Gray, and his wife, Katie, are expecting! This will be the first niece/nephew on that side of the family, and it is so […]