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Where I Am From....

I wrote this several years ago and just came across it again and I wanted to share it. Hope you enjoy it!

I am from a peaceful, small lowcountry river town; from shrimp and grits
and ketchup breakfasts.

I am from a small home with a large family, dirt roads and barefeet, kick the can under the street light, three wheelin' down the deep hole, gas in the ear.

I am from trawlers and baby goats and Rainbow Brite and Rick Springfield posters; from Brownie uniforms and Halloween carnivals taking 1st place dressed as a 2 headed person with my best friend Marci.

I am from Sunday morning church, big deep dimples and pear trees;
from old weathered Bibles of those gone ahead and trips with my MaMa
to visit my cousins.

From Little Miss Sunbeam, Happy Rain and Romper Room...I see___; from Wizard of Oz coming on TV once a year and snuggling up in my PJ's to watch with the rest of my family.

I am from Southern Baptists and organists; from ordained pastors and pot-luck dinners every week.

I'm from Graves and the land of cotton, Dixieland, peach cobbler and shrimp and gravy.

From the World War II veteran with lots of stories to tell; and the candy man in the big red van with lots of candy to share.

I am from beaches and lighthouses, treehouses and zip glides; from docks and crab pots, marshes and oyster beds.

I am from God, I am a child of His.

My beautiful children

The Graves Clan

Southern Savers

I have started extreme couponing over the past couple on months. Today I went to Bi Lo and spent $71 and saved $134. How awesome is that? Tomorrow morning after I drop the kids off at choir practice, I will head over to Publix and see what I can do there. I don't have too much to get at Publix, only a few things that I just can't pass up! It amazes me that more people don't use coupons. AND, it amazes me that certain people get sooo aggravated with people who do use them. Oh well, I try to go when it isn't very busy, so as not to disturb other people.

So, this is the blog I go to to get all my secret deals! Shhhh, don't tell anyone else!

Fall Festival...come shop

Oh, do I love the fall weather! Which also means that it's time for fall festivals. Which means guess where I will be tomorning? Shell Point Elementary School...so come by and visit! Perfect time to get started with your Christmas shopping!

Happy Veterans Day

Parris Island Marine Corps Band

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

Congratulations Pvt J. R. Albridge

I am so incredibly proud of you!

Crucible Journal (Part 10)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

SUNDAY - Parris Island - LIBERTY SUNDAY

Dear Journal,

0500. Got up and dressed. Morning chow was good. After we went out on the Parade Deck so the Drill Master could mark the deck with chalk for our Graduation Ceremony. We were all talking about our families yesterday and who was coming up on Thursday. Today we were trading "My Mom on Thursday" stories…"My Mom is gonna cry and hug me for about 30 minutes! ….. "My Mom is gonna run everyone over when we are dismissed." and "My Mom is gonna already be standing at attention next to me!!"

We had noon chow, then started cleaning up the squadbay and our weapons. We have to turn them in on Tuesday. Since we are now Marines, the Drill Instructors treat us like we are FMF (Fleet Marine Force). They expect us to act responsibly and act like Marines (in accordance with all the things they taught us). It is a much nicer atmosphere.

The rest of our short week will be just getting processed for final orders. Monday through Wednesday, everything we do is in preparation for Family Day and Graduation!!

Now that I finished Crucible, the anticipation of seeing my family is growing. I keep asking myself, "How could it have gone by so fast?" And before, it seemed as if this day would never get here!!

…Praise to you Lord for bringing me through this, and I ask that you bring my family safely to me…

The rest of the day we had Liberty, so we basically chilled and hung out most of the day. We got to shop if we wanted. Our DI's told us we had to buy something. They are so cool. I bought a watch because today is the first day I can wear one!

Well, I have to go now…....I'm next in line to make an important phone call!!!"

This is the Last Journal Entry. Thanks to Peggy pginbr Delta Co Marine Mom

Author

Crucible Journal (Part 9)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

Where's My Warrior's Breakfast?

Dear Journal,

We went down to the Warrior's Breakfast. It was a steak and eggs all you can eat feast! My first time through the line, I got steak, eggs with ham & cheese, hashbrowns, biscuit, toast, waffle, orange juice, milk, cereal, a banana, and a cinnamon roll. After eating all that, I went back through the line and got more eggs, French Toast, a bagel, another biscuit, another banana, and a Mountain Dew! We ate so much that our stomach's hurt. The coolest part was we could talk to each other and eat. We could never talk during chow.

Later we stepped out for our barracks at 1000. We spent the rest of the day doing gear inventory, cleaning our weapons, cleaning the squadbay, and packing our seabags for home!! We didn't eat noon chow today…no room! But, the evening chow was awesome…and…we got to strut our stuff around some!! It is good not to have to say "This Recruit…" before every sentence. We can also now call the Drill Instructors "Sergeant" instead of "Sir."

This is a day I will never forget. I wish I could stay awake, but I am so tired…I just want to sleep.

I'll finish up tomorrow…."

Crucible Journal (part 8)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

SATURDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE

Dear Journal,

0300. Before we stepped out to conquer our final hump back to the Base, the First Sergeant briefly reviewed the EGA ceremony with the whole Company. At 0330 we stepped out to take on our last challenge… our last obstacle as United States Marine Corps Recruits! The hump back is a good 10-miles long and was NOT easy!! We all limped along with our feet sore to the core. My blisters kept bleeding through my bandages and socks. I changed socks 6 times! The pain was irrelevant now… we continued on, because no one wanted to be dropped this close to the end. We have no watches so we don't really know how long we've been humping. The DI's have been amazingly supportive this morning. They started telling us "That's already two miles down. Not long now men." But I know that was not two whole miles...maybe a little over one at the most. They just want to keep our spirits up.

We stopped for a foot check at the base of the Ceculas Climbing Wall. Since we had not completed this obstacle, it was added to our final hump. We took a few moments to rebandage and regroup. I keep repeating to myself, "You're almost done!" Then, one by one we climbed up and over the wall, falling to the other side as gently on our sore tender feet as possible. Right foot…Left foot…Climb, Climb, Pull, Pull…holding on with all our might to get over. NO WAY any of us wasn't going over that wall!! 'Cause on the other side was our reward. We were almost home! The closer and higher we got to the top, the more it motivated us! When we fell to the other side…we were amazingly energized! One-by-one we fell over and over the top of that huge wall until we were all together.

I watched the last of my platoon go over the wall thinking, "Have I really earned this? Have I worked hard enough? Do I deserve it? Am I ready to be a UNITED STATES MARINE?"

"Not far to go now men…just a couple more miles." The DI's have been saying that for over 4 miles now. I don't think about it anymore, 'cause I am almost to my dream. When the sun was rising we reached the DI Bridge. Once we were across, the DI's started Jody calls and we all joined in! As we got closer to the main base, the Jody calls got louder and louder!! Then, I looked up and what do you think I saw?? The trail back was lined with flags! Our State Flags!! As I passed all the different State Flags, I grew more and more eager to see my………...THERE IT IS!!!! My HOME STATE FLAG! I never felt more proud to see that flag!! And right then, the loyalty of all the folks back home overwhelmed me. I was shaking. I couldn't wait to get to the Parade Deck and hold that pin in my hand!

We proceeded down past the flags, toward the Parade Deck. We put our gear down and formed up around the Iwo Jima Memorial. The Color Guard raised the flag on the memorial. The Chaplain read a prayer specifically written for the finish of the Crucible. It was beautiful. The Company First Sergeant called the Company to attention. After that we were brought to Present Arms (salute) and the National Anthem was played. My heart was pounding out of my chest, so I didn't hear one word until…

"o'er the land of the free…………………
and the HOME……………………………….
of the …………………………………BRAVE!!!!!"

After the National Anthem, the First Sergeant turned us over to our Senior Drill Instructor to carry out the plan of the day. With tears of pride and joy streaming down our faces, we heard the Marine Corp Hymn being played over the loudspeaker…

"From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;"

I tried to mouth the words but just couldn't.

"We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;"

From the corner of my eye, I saw the DI's on my row.

"First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;"

…I'll never forget when my Drill Instructor stepped in front of me, congratulated me, handed me my emblem, and shook my hand. I will never forget holding that tiny pin that symbolized huge honor. Most of all… I will never forget when he patted me on the shoulder and said… "Congratulations, "MARINE."

"We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine."

Crucible Journal (part 7)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

FRIDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE continued

At about 1800 we arrived back at our huts for the Night Infiltration Course. I can't even think of how to explain this, so to quote my Mom, all I can say is… "Oh…My…GOD!" This was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life! It is the last obstacle of the day and is a 5-mile night hump! The DI's said it was 5 miles but I know it was way more. There was no time limit and everyone had to complete it even if it took all night! One of the Crucible Instructors told us that Lima Company was out here until after midnight.

Anyway, I bandaged my feet as best I could. I kept thinking that last night's hump was only 2.5 miles, and since this one is twice as long…I have to make it work. I am NOT going back now. With only my thoughts to motivate me, I put on my boots and was ready for the course.

I wanted the leads to slow down the pace. My feet are now shot! All the care I took, the moleskins, the tinactin, thorlo socks…I still got blisters! A few have popped and are sore. No scabs yet because my feet stay wet. How I had the strength for this hump is beyond me? Lord, someone must be praying for me back home, because I don't even remember the prayer we said last night. I did dream I think, but I can't remember what it was.

And just so you know, this wasn't even close to last night's hump! We were under siege!! There were rounds being fired at us, bombs going off around us, (simulated of course) but the sounds and all the smoke shocked us never the less. At boot camp I got used to going to bed at 1900 hours. So, here it was after 1800 and we are just into a 5 mile hump! About half-way through it got to a point where I didn't feel the pain. I was running on pure determination. We are all very sore and close to starving now. The sleep deprivation is really getting to us. I don't know how long the hump took us, but we flew through it 'cause most of us didn't want miss any of our 4 hours of sleep!

When we got back to the huts after the Night Infiltration Course, we hygiened, prepped our packs for the next day, and ate the last of our MRE's (if there was any left!) During the day this is what I ate: Late morning I had my Mexican Rice. Then, just before we started the Night Infiltration Course I ate my Tuna with Noodles and my applesauce pak. When we got back to the huts, I finished off the last of my MRE's with the BBQ Pork & Rice and my mixed fruit pouch.

Tonight we hit the rack earlier because we wake up an hour earlier. Oh, I remember the dream now…I was lost and walking around in the dark with my cammies on, carrying all my gear. I kept asking people where my street was. Finally someone showed me. And all I remember is that when I walked up to my house it was completely dark except for one light in my bedroom window.

Tomorrow is the real test. We hit the rack at 2300 with a lot on our minds…

Crucible Journal (Part 6)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

Friday

Dear Journal,

Back again… In case you've been wondering, there are portable toilets set up for us to use around the Crucible site. Earlier, we tied the door shut when one of the guys went in! Funny stuff! For another guy, who was in there WAY TOO LONG (we think he was sleeping), we started beating on the thing and rocking the thing back and forth and front to back to scare him and make him fall off the seat! He flung the door open and with the biggest eyes I've ever seen he goes, "Wha…wha…what happened?" We were all rolling! The DI's just laughed at us. That was so fun. And it was good to share a laugh with those guys after all they've put us through.

To pass the time, we try to guess who has honor platoon. Before we left, they told us the top scoring platoon for Final Drill, but nothing else. So we have all been speculating on who is second, third and so on. But, we know it is our total scores for everything that counts in figuring honor platoon…including crucible. Four other guys and I have a little side bet going on who wins. The bet is one cracker package each. Winner takes all!

We had another 10 or so obstacles that we had to get through by the afternoon! The first one was called Jenkins Pinnacle. We had to break up in 8 teams and cross over these suspended logs tied with cable…with all our gear…carrying additional supplies…and we were timed! The next obstacle was Basilone's Challenge where we had to climb two-by-two over an 8 foot log.

We also finished up the last stations of the Leader Course. In teams of six we strapped 2 long wooden boards to our feet and had to walk together over a "mine field." The walking part was easy, it was getting all six of us strapped in those things that took up the most time. It's funny how the foot pain comes and goes. Believe me every part of my body hurts, but when I am focused on a task the pain seems to go to the back of my mind. Maybe we don't feel it anymore because we are losing our minds with no food and little sleep!

We had another foot check before the next hump to the next station. Just as I thought my blisters are worse. I know they are going to pop any second. I heard one guy scream last night when the medic poured peroxide on his popped blisters. While I was sitting there, I took off my cover (hat) for just a second for some comfort. It is what kept me going each day through boot camp, and this is the first time I had to do it on crucible. It is not the physical comfort of removing the cover from my head, but what I have tucked inside. See, I have a picture of my family back home pressed inside, and they are counting on me to get through this. Even the dog is in this one!

More later…"

Crucible Journal (Part 5)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

Dear Journal,

FRIDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE:

Got up at 0400. Each platoon's daily schedule is different. 1104 and 1105 may be scheduled for an obstacle that 1106 and 1108 completed yesterday, and 1109 and 1110 may be on their way from re-supply to take the same challenge. With 500 guys out here, there is no way for us to do obstacles at the same time. So last night after Prayer and the Marine Hymn, we talked to each other quietly about the other obstacles we saw. I should have slept more.

We stepped out for our first challenge of the day. The first Station was a good 3-mile hump from our huts. The obstacle was a tire suspended 4' with the side painted red. All members of our squad had to go through the tire without touching the red. We did all make it, but it was hard. The tire was swinging and spinning…guess that was the challenge. After we finished up there, we moved over to the Bayonet Assault Course. This course is exactly the same as the one at the Base. Lots of hooking and jabbing here! Kind of fun actually. But we are all run down.

From there we went to the Day Infiltration Course. We had 25 minutes to go through the whole course dragging with us a real team member (casualty), 2 large ammo cans, 2 small ammo cans, and 2 water jugs… filled with concrete!! God, I wanted to be the one being dragged! But, another Recruit had pulled a muscle, so we took turns pulling him. We are all filthy and covered in dirt now. We stopped for a sock change and foot check. My blisters are filling with fluid now. I put a double layer of moleskin on but it comes right off when my socks get wet.

Then we humped over to the Day Movement Course. And believe me, they don't call it "Movement" for nothing! This course had booby traps all over! And if we tripped them, that team member became a casualty. The more traps we tripped during the course, the more difficult it became because we had to pull the casualties along with all our gear. We are so tired and hungry and sore and aggravated. We are over halfway through. I'll write more later…

Crucible Journal (part 4)

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

THURSDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE continued

Dear Journal,

One of the Warrior Station obstacles is built around an enemy-mined rope bridge called the "Two Line Bridge." It is just two very long ropes, basically, that wobbles…and impossible to cross when two are on it. So, as a team we determined it was best to cross it one by one. But we are timed…so we had to move quickly. We had to cross with all our gear on, carrying those heavy ammunition boxes! When we were finally forging on and were well on our way, we lost one of the guys.

"If one fails …We all fail."

So, I was the last person on the bridge and I just couldn't leave him there. He was either going to have to start over from the beginning of the rope, or I could help him. So, I let go of the rope with one hand and kept a good strong grip with my other. I extended my hand out towards my fellow Recruit. He grabbed my arm and I pulled with all my might to get his hand back up to the rope. "Lord, I can't pull any harder. I know I'm going to drop him. Please give me strength." And, just when I thought the rest of the team had moved on ahead of us….through my clinched eyes I heard rounds of "Come on Man!… You've got him!… Pull- Pull!… You're almost there!" My team had come back to encourage me! And then…somehow…he was safely holding on to the rope. Everyone was shoulder bumping me after. It felt like this was real-life! Like I really did save someone…Wait! I really did!! My Crucible Leader said, "You did, you saved a Recruit from failing this. Well done!" I tell you NOTHING feels like this. No matter what you do to make yourself happy, new cars, watching a game, hunting… none of what you do for yourself compares to the feeling of helping another human being! NOTHING! Maybe, I CAN do this after all! I WANT to do this!! Man, I know Mom and Dad would be so proud of me! I wonder what they are doing right now?

At another Station called Cpl. Day's Defense, we had to run into firing positions and engage pop-up targets in and around a building with 10-rounds in two magazines. We only had about a minute to fire. That was cool! If I wasn't so tired, I would have wanted to stay there all day! Afterwards, we humped back to the huts and chilled until 2100. At 2100 we stepped out for a re-supply hump. Each squad had to carry 2 large ammo cans and 4 small ammo cans …again filled with concrete for 2.5 miles! I could not believe this! After all we had done today they "told" us that our huts had been stripped so we had to re-supply. That was the last obstacle for the day. So we humped back to the supply station. We are getting grouchy now and short with each other. It was so dark and we couldn't see 2 feet in front of us. The DI's said the last 2 companies did this run in 2.25 and 2.3 hours. I don't know our time yet, but I know we did it in better than 2.0 hours!

I guess you are wondering how I am doing with my 2.5 MRE's! Well, we are responsible for rationing them out ourselves. So, today I ate 2 of my 3 cracker packages with peanut butter and grape jelly. I also ate my peanuts, pound cake, and beverage powder. The beverage powder is like PowerAde. We just had to pour it in our mouth and swish it around inside our mouth with some water. We couldn't put anything into our canteens but water. We also have 2 coffee packets…same deal…pour in mouth…swish with canteen water. My plan was to eat as light as possible today, saving the most of the MRE's for tomorrow. I just made sure I hydrated a lot.

When we got back, we had to sit and wait for 0000 (midnight) to come around… before they would let us go to sleep! I held my eyes open somehow, but inside I was already sleeping.

More tomorrow…"