My Friends,

A brand new spanking freshly minted 2nd Lt. will be in our ranks on Friday. My boy, Tim, is graduating from Quantico at 0900. The pinning ceremony will be at 1300 in front of The National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Here is why I am so proud of him. Tim had a pretty troubled youth. His older brothers and sisters were all very successful in school and made great career choices in their adult life. Kate, my oldest, is a very accomplished doctor out in San Francisco at UCSF. Megan, took her daddy's route and became an educator. She teaches 5th grade at Goodnoe. Ryan has been with the FBI the last five years. Tim graduated with a degree in finance from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, but was having a hard tome finding himself in the business world. He tried to go to Quantico before, but wound up with viral pneumonia his 4th day there. They told him he could come back. I never thought he would, but he did.

He did extremely well down there, graduating with a very high average on all his stuff with a 94 average. He also had a 294 on his final PFT out of a perfect 300, which is almost impossible. . As I type, they are having a company picnic that Tim got all the food donated from Outback Steak House. Needless to say, his platoon Sgts. were real happy with his procurement. In his second week there, they made him company banker, probably because he worked in a bank before entering the Corps.

Anyway, he also has a flight contract. After The Basic School, he is scheduled to go to Pensacola for flight school. He hopes to get helicopters, especially when he saw a couple of Cobras come into Quantico's air base two weeks ago.

I just wanted to say thank you for all the good people that gave me words of encouragement these past ten weeks. If he had not made it, I really think he would have been demoralized for a real long time. He wanted it badly. So, on Friday, at 1300, think about what I shall be doing, pinning gold bars on my youngest child. Needless to say, I am one proud Papa. Here is the website about the ceremonies, etc. http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/

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"I am one proud Papa"

And you should be Jim.

We will be thinking of you and Tim.

What a wonderful human being.
Thank you for including us on this journey --- we're all very proud of Tim.
I'm thankful for his fortitude, persistence, and desire to serve our country. We will be much better with him at our stead.

Looking forward to the pictures and safe travels to you and Kathi.

Oh Jim, how proud you sound! Brought tears to my eyes, your story. I will be thinking of you and Tim on Friday. I am so very happy for you, but most of all, Tim, who has worked so hard to get where he is today and done well too! Sounds like he has found his calling. I hope to hear all about it when you get back and pictures too!

Please relay my thanks to him when you see him.

Jim, how proud you must be! I'm sure Tim put forth his best effort so that he could please both himself and his family. Congratulations to both of you. You did a fine job with this young man!

You did a good job Jim, and YOU BETTER NOT CRY!!! LOL I go to the VA doctors tomorrow, and at 1300 eastern, I'll be thinking of you both! Ron

Well done Tim, your immense pride shows in your posts Jim, all the best for tomorrow

Pictures, Jim....lots of pictures....

As a former Marine I know the need for good young officers. It sounds as if the Corps has one in your son. Congratulations on a job well done by both of you.

Awe! Tim is just a late bloomer and I'm happy he's found his nitch! As one who has a degree in education, and has worked as an engineer for the last 15 years - coming up through the ranks - the initial degree means you can do it! Want you want to do with it comes later!

Jim - You have every right to be a proud Papa, because you supported your pup all along the way! Have fun tomorrow!

Congrats Jim! OOOOoorah!

Cheryl & Airey

Jim, today's the big day...I can see the smile from Texas!

Cheryl, I now know what you and Airey went through a few years ago...I don't really think you can understand it until you experience it

Jim congratulations to Tim. I can not imagine your pride and as I type this they should be lining up.

Semper Fi, Tim.

Congratulations TIM and JIM!!! and family! Enjoy your big day.

bursting with Pride

This does make one proud...We've been lucky enough to share this experience with Tim & Dylan, and I can't believe that TODAY is such an important day for them, and we are here for that too!!
I can't wait for pics!!