LP is HOME!

It's official. My brother is home!

Our trip seemed to take forever, but I think it was the nerves and excitement that dragged it out. After a night in Knoxville and a night (and a huge OT win for the Pens) in Beaufort, South Carolina, we finally entered Parris Island to see LP for the first time!

Thursday was Family Day and it began with a motivational run at 7:00 AM. We drove onto Parris Island and stood near the Peatross Parade Deck, braving the sand fleas and waiting for the recruits to come out. Finally, they marched out and we scoured Platoon 1026 for LP.

After five minutes of searching and multiple pictures taken, we spotted him. They stretched for a bit before starting their 3-mile run. The crowd, all dressed in red (1st Batallion's color), cheered. They ran past us and onto the street to finish their very last challenge as a recruit. My heart broke when one of the recruits twisted his ankle and fell at the very end of the run.


After the run, we waited for a presentation by Brigadier General Padilla. We learned about everything he had accomplished, heard about the rigors of the Crucible, and watched them march in formation in their uniforms. Finally, they were released for five hours of liberty. We rushed down the stairs, searching frantically for him. When we finally found him, he was already crying, overwhelmed and relieved. All four of us stood there, hugging and crying for what seemed like forever.


Finally, we walked to his squad bay barracks to see where he lived for the last three months. We met Senior Drill Instructor Pider and helped carry his bags out to the car. LP seemed strange. He was quiet, marching, standing straight, and wouldn't smile. I was worried that the Marine Corps had taken my brother from me. He seemed paranoid and sat stick-straight in the backseat of the car. Whenever I made a joke, he would start to smile, then close his mouth tight.


We went to Backyard Burger for lunch. Although the food was subpar, LP thought it was delicious - his first greasy burger in quite awhile. He told us stories from boot camp, talked about how tough the Crucible was, explained how rough the drill instructors were on him. Still, he sat stick-straight in his uniform, the picture of the perfect soldier.

After lunch, we went to Parris Island's Marine Museum. While we were there, I walked up to him and gave him another hug. When I let go, a woman in her 80s, leaning on a walker, asked me if she could hug him, too. I said, of course, and she did. I noticed a tear fall down her cheek as she pulled away.

We drove around the island, checked out the PX, watched other recruits do some shooting drills, and saw the famous yellow footprints where Marines are first dropped off and taught how to stand like a soldier when boot camp begins. Slowly but surely, LP began to relax. He drank a Monster and started to rap along with Waka Flocka.


Time flew and his liberty ended. I wanted nothing more than to steal him and take him home. We watched him march away from us for the last time.

The next morning, we headed back to the island for graduation. The stands on the Peatross Parade Deck were packed with family and friends of the graduates. Our family friends, Sidney and Sid, made the trip from Richmond, Virginia to watch LP graduate.

The graduation ceremony was awesome. The Marine Corps band played a few pieces, we saw the bulldog mascot (Hummer), and the graduates marched past us. I absolutely love the sound when they turn in unison. Every movement was timed to perfection. It was incredible. One of the guys in LP's platoon passed out during the ceremony and had to be taken off in a golfcart.



At long last, the drill instructors dismissed their new Marines and they turned and shouted, "Aye, Staff Sergeant. Ooh-Rah!" LP was finally a United States Marine. At his order, we practically ran out of there, ate a big lunch, and drove to Knoxville for the night. We talked the entire way there - hearing more of his stories and learning his new lingo. My favorite? Flashlight = Moonbeam.

He started to relax, bought a couple magazines, and drank another Monster. I knew I had my brother back when he mocked me at dinner. Some things never change, right?


Yesterday, we delayed our departure from the hotel because we had a surprise homecoming party planned for LP. When we got into town, he changed into his uniform to show Jamie and Jenn. Little did he know, 20 of his closest friends were also at our house, waiting for his arrival. His reaction was precious. He didn't know what to do and just smiled in complete shock. Jamie and Jenn had decorated the house, Dad grilled out, and we spent all day, catching up and celebrating his return home.

It was so wonderful waking up and seeing him in the living room today. I can't stop hugging him. He is exactly the same, wrestling me every chance he gets. He finally feels comfortable laughing out loud. Don't get me wrong - he has changed. He stands taller and holds doors open. He has grown up and has every right to be proud of what he has accomplished.

He leaves for North Carolina on May 2nd, so I'm cherishing every moment I get with him until then. Having him at home is definitely what I'm most thankful for this Easter.

Also, I know I'm biased, but I think he makes the most handsome soldier ever.



My brother, my best friend, my Marine.