I have been blessed to witness many beautiful things; heck, living in the Ozarks has given me many beautiful views by itself. But I have to give it to the Marines – they know how to inspire awe in an Ozarks Hillbilly.

          My wife Tamerah and I just last week had the honor to be among the family members and friends of over 500 young men who had spent the last 3 months in hell – their words, not mine – in order to be the very best they could be, for us. These young men had accepted the challenge for many personal reasons; all the reasons pale next to one: “…to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America from all enemies, foreign and domestic.” That is a direct quote from the oath that each one of them took to enter the service of the Marine Corps. And I personally saw in the faces of America’s newest brave defenders the determination to do just that. It was breathtaking.

           
But to the beginning:

          We landed in San Diego in the early afternoon of October 14^th. As our plane was touching down, we saw three aircraft carriers and several other warships in the San Diego Bay – the Navy Base is right there next to the airport, as is the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, our destination – and I got a shiver just thinking about how much love and pride for our country existed in just this one corner of it. On a side note, that is the Navy Base in which young Russell Willoughby (Steve Willoughby’s son) is currently spending his days – he is a crew member of the USS Antietam which is in dry dock and will set sail in early 2011.

          When we got off the plane and made our way to MCRD I could tell that this would cause flashbacks from my own service time in the US Army. But nothing could prepare me for the sheer beauty of that small Marines Depot – a place for everything and everything in its place, as the saying goes, but not one blade of grass too long or one palm frond in the walkways. We checked into the billeting – the military’s version of an on-base motel – and went to check out our surroundings. The BX (Base Exchange) area was sharp, with good prices in the stores, and everything you would expect in a major mall. We strolled around the small post for a while until the 2 hour time difference made itself felt, and we turned in for the night.

          Thursday was “Family Day” and it was very full to say the least. We were on pins and needles – we knew that we would be seeing Cameran in just a few hours – and we were a bit anxious, as I’m sure you can understand. It was during this time that we heard from another family member that Cameran’s platoon had earned Honor Platoon for taking 3 of the 4 platoon awards possible between the seven platoons. Boy, the pride-factor jumped quite a bit at that bit of info! To top it off, their platoon – Platoon 1073 of Delta Company – had also set a Regimental Record in the Physical Fitness Test and had beat the old record by nearly ten points! Their platoon average score proved that they were not only more fit than the other 6 platoons, they were more fit than any other platoon to go through MCRD San Diego in HISTORY! Blow me away – they are truly the best.

          Our next event was the Drill Instructor’s Brief – this was our first introduction to the DI’s and the rules of the post. Picture lots of family members who had never set foot on a military installation of any kind much less a Marines Depot, hearing the military bearing of the legendary Marines Drill Instructors for the first time. It was wild to see the looks on some of the faces there. There were also lots of men and women who HAD been through it as a Marine or other service member themselves – they had that look of “yup, I know what you mean.”

          Then it was time for the MOTO Run – This was a “short” little 3 mile run primarily to introduce us to our new Marine – and this was our first glimpse of Cameran in over 3 months. Boy howdy! He looked GREAT!!! We couldn’t talk to him, as he was still in formation, but we could sure yell – and we did! I can just imagine the pride all those young men felt at seeing their family members, girlfriends and wives for the first time in 3 months – awesome.

          They had to get cleaned up after the run; to give them time we went to the post theater for more information from the Drill Instructors and commanders. We were introduced to every DI from every platoon, as well as the company First Sergeant. Q&A followed, and then we were directed to the Bleachers at the Parade Deck for “Liberty Formation”.

          The Parade Deck is a very special place. Easily ¾ of a mile or more long and 3 football fields in width, it’s HUGE. It’s also hallowed ground. This is THE PLACE where Marines are made – one of only 2 in the US (Parris Island, NC is the other one) – so for anyone but a Marine or a Marine recruit to step foot on it is strictly forbidden, and rightfully so. Luckily, no one tried while we were there; though the Drill Instructors informed us all that if anyone really wanted to step there, they were welcome to – that would of course require the dotted-line signature and a very special oath!

          When we were all seated, we heard a snare drum in the distance – the Marine Band San Diego was marching onto the Parade Deck: 50 Marines in perfect step, blasting out the best march music known to man. It was yet another awe-inspiring moment to be sure. When they were done, the families looked to our right, and there was the company formation – 7 platoons of Marines ready to march back into our lives, at least for the afternoon. We heard “Forward… MARCH!” and here they came! There was not a dry eye in the place. Our newest best defenders marched into place, halted, left-faced and parade-rested. I’m surprised you couldn’t hear us screaming for our Marines here in the Ozarks! The Drill Instructors said a few words to us, reminded our Marines of their instructions, brought the formation to attention… and then, “…Company… DISMISSED!!!”

          With a ROAR, our Marines broke formation, and ran to our arms. We got to spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out and listening to the amazing stories our Marines had to relate. Cameran smiled the entire time, and so did his momma and me. Words fail – the pride should have burst my chest…

          We heard about the legendary EGA Ceremony – the Eagle, Globe and Anchor – the very moment when the recruits cross that magical line they will never cross back over again; from recruits to Marines. This is a private ceremony between the Cadre and the recruits when they are awarded the emblem of America’s finest fighting force. I could see the look in Cameran’s eyes when he told us about it that he was close to tears again just thinking about it. The EGA Ceremony happens at the completion of the toughest 54 hours of their young lives: The Crucible.

          The Marine Corps website says the Crucible is “a test every recruit must go through to become a Marine. It tests every recruit physically, mentally and morally and is the culminating event in recruit training. The Crucible takes place over 54 hours and includes food and sleep deprivation and over 45 miles of marching.” According to our Marine, that obviously BARELY scrapes the surface. There’s the different Stations of Heroes, the testing, the monstrous hill climb and so much more – all surrounded by their brothers-in-arms that they all know beyond doubt they can count on and call on at any time without fail. They had been through Boot Camp together – they can handle ANYTHING together now.

          Cameran told his momma and me stories of the games the DI’s would play with recruits; some fun, others not so much, but ALL designed to make them count on each other and themselves, and gain the confidence to know that it all works. I knew what lots of that felt like from my own Army experiences, but the Marines take it so much farther, I just soaked it all in and puffed my chest out with even more pride.

          Our Marines had to go back to their barracks for one more night that night – the next day was Graduation.

                   Graduation day started strong – with the Posting of the Colors Ceremony at the Regimental Headquarters. All Patriots ought to witness this amazing ceremony. The Marines do this once a week – and nothing was out of place or halfway. In attendance was the other Regimental Commander from Parris Island. He was present for the Graduation Ceremony later that day too as the Parade Reviewing Officer – so our Marines got to be sent off by BOTH Commanding Generals whose primary mission is to make Marines out of mere mortals – something that rarely happens. AWESOME!

           From the Colors Ceremony we made our way back to the Parade Deck for the Graduation Ceremony. It began with the Marine Band San Diego and our National Anthem – and a call to all veterans to join them in saluting our flag and our freedom. I remember remarking to Tamerah that this was the only place I had been to since my own Army days that showed veterans that much respect outside of Branson. It really made me proud of our little hometown – Branson really is the HEART of America!

          As the final notes echoed around the Parade Deck, our Marines were visible in formation to our right. They marched into place to our thunderous applause and the ceremony began. Each platoon was led by their respective “Honor Men” – the one Marine per platoon who had bested all others for skill and knowledge on all things Marines – as the Guide-on (Platoon Flag) Bearers. These Marines were dressed in full Dress-Blues; perfectly stunning! The Honor Men marched to the center of the vast formation, and the Guide-ons were retired. While they were front and center, the Honor Men were awarded the Honor Man pins for their success. The Regimental Commander spoke to our new Marines for a few minutes, reminding them of what they had earned, and telling them how proud he was to call them fellow Marines, and then the Company Commander gave them the one order they had been working so hard for 3
months to hear:

          “MARINES…                DISMISSED!!!”

There was of course a lot more to tell, but it seems no time to tell it all. Even if you don’t have a son or daughter or other family member going through this amazing experience, I STRONGLY suggest you attend a graduation ceremony for one of our armed forces – you deserve to feel it, and they deserve to know you care.

          I am very proud of my son. I am very thankful to him for stepping up and offering his life for our safety. I am also very thankful to all other service men and women who have ever answered the call to duty. HIS TRUTH GOES MARCHING ON!

          Thank you Cameran – You make me proud!

-Matt Duncan

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