Customs, Courtesies, & Marine Corps Events...

There will be events that you and your husband are invited to for many reasons it could be for the entire unit/battalion/ect or a base function. Whether it is announced through email, a flyer or in a formal mailed invitation you will see the desired clothing attire on the invitation. If it is not written specifically call your hostess, FRA (Family Readiness Assistant) or FRO for more detailed information. The Marines will know what to wear because believe me their command will tell them more than once. There are a few options for the women though.

Formal Attire for Ladies: Ankle to Floor length Formal Evening Gowns
Change of Command/Retirement Ceremonies: Attire for Ladies: Dress
California Casual: Consists of Skirt, Shorts or Nice Jeans (no ripped, torn or faded items)
Conservative Casual/Business Casual Attire for Ladies: Crisp Pants, Skirt and Modest Blouse

Depending on where you’re stationed will dictate the above information and can vary from time zone to time zone. Unless it is 120* please do not wear a mini-skirt to a formal event; not only is it against the rules and inappropriate but some senior Marines and wives may call your date/husband out in front of everyone or off to the side and get in trouble because of something that could have been avoided by following the rules.

Make sure that you “repondez s’il vous plait” or RSVP meaning, “please respond” so that the hostess will know how many to account for regarding seating and food. You wouldn’t want to throw a party at your house and invite 40 and only 10 RSVP so you cook for 10 but 50 ends up at your house. So out of good manners and respect for the hostess and command please RSVP! Another big thing at Marine Corps functions is to show up on time. Generally this means 15 minutes before the actual start time to get situated in the room, say your hello’s and find your seat. Do NOT have your cell phone on and if it has to be on for emergencies please put it on vibrate. They typically remind you before any ceremony to turn it off out of respect for others. You do not want to be the one whose phone rings an inappropriate or loud ringtone during colors or other sacred ceremony. You’re husband/date will NOT be very happy with you. Also, when the flag is passing, the National Anthem or Marine Corps Hymn is playing or the Pledge of Allegiance is being said as the spouse or parent of a Marine, it is customary to stand as well and place your hand over your heart.

Formal and Social Marine Corps Events
There are more ceremonies than this but for the most part these are the ones that wives would be invited to and a part of with the exception of Mess Night.  So much contraversy surrounds Mess Night though I had to include it on here.


Change of Commands:
When the commander of a unit changes from one Marine to another, a ceremony is held involving all members of the unit. A parade or formation takes place which pays respects to the outgoing commander and family and formally introduces the incoming commander and the family. After the ceremony, a reception is held in honor of the two commanders.

Dining In:
This is the spouses’ version of Mess Night for NCO’s and up. You must follow a set of rules set by ‘Mr. Vice’. Your Marine will be fined if the rules are broken in any way. The fines are for and in all good fun and any money collected goes towards a unit goal. The traditions in this event are very interesting, make sure you arrive a little early and listen in to hear all of the fun!

Hail and Farewell:
A casual event held at the Officer’s Club or a central location to welcome and say goodbye to the Marines and their families joining or leaving the unit. This event is for NCO's and up.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball:
A formal event filled with the history of the Marine Corps and your unit. It happens typically around November 10th each year. This is another event held with rich tradition, a guest of honor and many ceremonies. Get dressed up like a princess, go get your makeup and hair done, get pictures taken, be charming and enjoy the cocktail hour!

Mess Night:
This is a Marines only event! Toasting, games, dinner and a guest of honor will pass on their knowledge and wisdom to everyone in attendance. I get a lot of ladies asking if it is mandatory or if their husbands are somehow not being truthful about their whereabouts. This is a true and factual event ladies and is very much so mandatory so do not worry too much ladies it is beyond our control no matter how much we complain about them always being at work. We should form a Marine Corps Spouses Mess Night on their Mess Night! LOL!

Roll Call/Memorial Ceremony:
A ceremony held for the family and friends of a Marine who's typically died in combat. You won't get an invitation to this generally; if instructed to do so the FRO may let wives of the battalion know. It is a prayer, the Marine's friends speaking as well as the command giving their condolences to the Marine's family. Most people have seen the pictures of the Marines knelt in prayer in front of a helmet, rifle, dog tags and boots. There is a small ceremony in the field but this is the one with the entire battalion to honor the life of the Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Wetting Down:
This is a social and personal preference event when a Marine is promoted typically starting at SSgt rank. The party is thrown by the Marine(s) being promoted and can be very fun to attend. The rule of thumb is that the party should cost the amount of the new rank’s first pay raise. Families are typically invited and it is held at someone’s house or a housing areas multipurpose room. If not held at someone’s home the Marines have been known to have a nice dinner and then go to a bar.

Unit Meetings:
As stated previously if you want to participate in command sponsored events and assisting the FRO you will be invited to go to meetings held bi-weekly or monthly meetings. This is where the FRO may suggest wife/parent socials, coffee mornings, workout evenings, Jane Wayne Days (where the wives get to put on camo paint and see how the husbands do their daily work routines in a fun female friendly way), baby showers, deployment send offs, care packaging, sponsorships, parent participation, Mass Communication Tool, and just getting together to brainstorm on how to make the unit better for all of the families involved in the unit.

Basically, the Marine Corps lifestyle is a learning experience so soak it all up.  There's alot to learn, do, and participate in.  Enjoy your time in and your Marine.  Lots of retired Marines' wives tell me they miss the moving, crazy training schedules, work hours and the fellow wives bonded by our devotion to our Marines.

Volunteering for the unit...FRO's, FRA's, Advisor's oh MY!

The first or second time for you are at a unit sponsored event; it may seem awkward but your Marine should always make an effort to introduce you to those in attendance whether junior or senior. It will get eventually get easier but a smile and friendly conversation is appreciated by all. Believe me I know how uncomfortable it is being sociable with new people in a military environment which can be a little intimidating even for a people person like me. It is definitely better than being standoffish since this is your new “family” so make sure you meet the FRO (Family Readiness Officer) and his or her team.

I've learned the hard way that it is so true that there is strength in numbers so introduce yourselves to all of these people.  They will be the ones who will help you in good times and bad for small and large issues. If you wish to volunteer and be active now is the time to get a name and number to offer your assistance via email at a later time. There are quite a few volunteer positions readily available within the command depending on your availability. Family Readiness Advisors, Family Readiness Assistants, Family Readiness Volunteers, and Event Volunteers are just a few that help out the command and Marines in various ways at various times of the year. Family Readiness Advisors are typically the higher up wives of each company as well as the Col’s wife. They basically assist the FRO and aid the FRA’s as well as perform other duties as needed. Assistants (FRA’s) assist the FRO with the family’s needs of their specific company or squad. So if ECHO Co wives, parents or family members need a phone number or address to the commissary, MCCS, or base stables the company FRA’s are here for you. FRA’s also assist the FRO with more complex needs depending on your specific FRO’s confidence in your skills and knowledge of the Marine Corps resources and wives requests. There should be about 2 FRA’s for each company or squad in the battalion. Volunteers assist at events which require numerous people for various activities, games, handing out items, decoration, ect. It is a great position to take stress off of the FRO and isn’t a committed position such as the FRA. Either way there are meetings every few weeks or so to keep everyone in on the happenings of the command and to assist the FRO in pre-planning for events.

I haven’t really spoke on the positivity of volunteering but I wouldn’t be anywhere near the person I am right now if I hadn’t had been exposed to some very good people from my arrival here.  I also let myself be open to the possibilities of helping which is important. Some people just complain about the way things work and don't educate themselves on why it is that way or try and help to modify the situation.  At first I was apprehensive to be around these people thinking that if I screwed up anything it could possibly have a direct impact on my husband’s job. That doesn't typically happen though and I just wasn't aware of how it all worked.  I didn’t know at the time how the hierarchy goes and how I could put some of my communication and customer service skills to good use. I loved starting when I did, learning what I have and being exposed to the very optimistic and uplifting people. I eventually didn’t just say I wanted to help I took the initiative to go to the FRA Intro classes at MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services), L.I.N.K.S courses and took the privacy test needed in order to help with our unit. I made sure to try and helped our FRO at every location and in between as well because there is always something that can be done. The FRO works with the unit to plan how simple or extravagant the events will be for the most part. Some events can be very detail oriented and some have been plain and simple both have good reasoning to make it easier on the guests or command. I hope every Marine wife knows that this is a family organization and no matter if you’re husband is deployed, at home, WIA, or KIA we are all here for each other and as wives stronger with each other than apart. We gain strength and knowledge knowing what each other is going through especially from the experienced ladies.

Veteran's Day...

Some of my favorite cadences (catchy songs the different branches sing while jogging to keep morale up and in step):

I don't know, but I've been told,

The Marine Corps is mighty bold.

And up upon the bolden scene,

Stands the United States Marines.

Sound off 1 2,

Sound off 3 4,

1 2 3 4 United States Marine Corps

The only ones with the guts to fight.

They fight all day, and stand guard at night.

Sound off 1 2,

Sound off 3 4,

1 2 3 4 United States Marine Corps

Now on land, sea or in the air,

They get the job done no matter where.

So when they come home from all the battles,

To show off the all their heroic medals.

The Marine Corps is the job for me.

Sound off 1 2,

Sound off 3 4,

1 2 3 4 United States Marine Corps!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mama, Mama can’t you see?

What the Marine Corps’ done to me...

They sat me down in the chair,

When I looked I had no hair

Mama, Mama can't ya see???

What the Marine Corps’ done to me...

I used to drive a Chevrolet,

but now I march around all day

Mama, Mama can't you see?

What the Marine Corps’ done to me...

I used to drive a Cadillac...

now I carry one on my back...

Mama, Mama can't you see?!?!?!?

What the Marine Corps’ done to me...

After I passed the really hard test...

They stuck a ribbon in my chest.

Mama, Mama Can’t you see?

What the Marine Corps’ done to me...

I'm walkin tall and feeling good,

I'm doing things I never thought I could.

Throughout these few days every year of remembrance, honor and celebration I personally wanted to take the time to say how humbled I am to have known, know, have met and work with so many brave, courageous and heroic current and prior service members. There are so many countless others out there who are just as outstanding as these service members who’ve left such a positive impression in our lives.

Wherever they are now I want to say thank you for all you have done, sacrificed and will continue to sacrifice for our country. Anthony & I go to Balboa Naval Hospital quite a bit for his appointments and see the results of slight and life altering injuries to these selfless Americans and almost everyone we see has a smile on their face. All politics, statistics and bull crap aside, these men and women signed up, trained, went to all of the wars and more recently Afghanistan and Iraq for the greater cause and the bigger picture; for you, me, our kids and our kids’ kids.

The many people and sometimes perfect strangers, who’ve helped us cope with the initial shock of the injury, transport to the states, and now recovery and rehab are all angels on earth. Giving back to those in need is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. I will personally never forget any of our earthly angels and will teach my girls to give back to others and go my entire life donating to and volunteering for those organizations out there to help not only the service member but their families during a crisis. Whether it is sending care packages, doing a Hike for Heroes, visiting the injured in the hospitals, going to a memorial, helping with the Wounded Warrior project or otherwise the ideas are endless but help is needed in ways too great to put into words. 

So enjoy the parades, football games and days off during this time. Yet please educate the not knowing, teens and kids why they get a day off of school and those who’ve come before them to make it safer for them to live their lives. Age appropriate of course explain why the towns, streets, houses, and cemeteries are overloaded with American flags, red, white and blue wreaths and why veterans are in their Sunday best for ceremonies and parades. These events are for our Veterans and their families. Have a great weekend and God Bless the USA!!

Things to NEVER ask a Marine Wife...

I know I've already posted this but I wanted it to be on this site as well since many can relate to this...enjoy again... :)

1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be hurt?" (This one ranks in at number one on the "duh and NO SHIT" list. Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds —but thanks alot brilliant, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.)

2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it." (This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.)

3. "At least he's not in Iraq." (This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf? )

4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/Mothers Day/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?" (Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. There are no personal time off days, sick days, or any civilian things like that. He cant call in to work. Please don't ask again.)

5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?" (Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored, and drinking massive amounts of wine always helps keep me busy.)

6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?" (This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands AREN'T counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Afghanistan b/c there is work that needs to be done.)

7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it." (We do learn coping skills. We figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.)

8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through." (This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 6-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband, your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, and he flew comfortably on a commercial plane. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a crappy Hyundai Excel with a Mercedes convertible.)

9. "Wow you must miss him?" (This one also gets another big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.)

10. "Where is he exactly? Where is that?" (I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and that it is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day —and on maps everywhere.)

11. "Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there." (Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.)

12. "Don't you miss sex! I couldn't do it!" (hmmm, no I don't miss sex. I'm a robot. seriously...military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)

13. "Well in my opinion....." (Stop right there. I didn't ask for you your personal or political opinions. Unless you've walked in my husbands shoes or my own you have no idea how we live or feel...keep it to yourself.  Civilians have no idea on this subject so try not to interject your thoughts and opinions into my life.  The negative and emotional comments are counterproductive so don't even say them!)

Last, but not least....

14. "OH, that's horrible...I'm so sorry!" (He's doing his job and he's a complete bad ass. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our Marines/soldiers/airmen/sailors fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)

If you want to say anything, say thank you. After all, we are sexually deprived for your freedom :)

Marine Corps Birthday...

In honor of our beloved Marine Corps Birthday....

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!"

-Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

The United States Marine Corps is more than just boot camp, social events, training, deployments, hierarchy, and even Birthday Balls.  There are very deep roots and reasoning attached to all of these functions and traditions.  So ladies hold your head high when these men invite you to these function because they are truly a part of the few and the proud and you are lucky to be an extension of them. 

The United States Marine Corps traces its roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War, formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas at Tun Tavern (which to me explains why a lot of the ceremonies and traditions are centered around alcohol) in Philadelphia on 10 November 1775, to raise 2 battalions of Marines. That date is regarded and celebrated as the date of the Marine Corps' "birthday". At the end of the American Revolution, both the Continental Navy and Continental Marines were disbanded in April 1783. The institution itself would not be resurrected until 1798. In that year, in preparation for the Quasi-War with France, Congress created the United States Marine Corps. Marines had been enlisted by the War Department as early as August 1797 for service in the new-build frigates authorized by Congress. The "Act to provide a Naval Armament" of March 18, 1794 authorizing them had specified the numbers of Marines to be recruited for each frigate.

Since then there has been countless missions and wars from the Civil War to Operation Enduring Freedom (or OEF) that the Marines have had a huge participation in. At the inception of the Marine Corps the need was basically infantrymen and has grown to now include pilots, security forces, administration personnel, and so many more jobs including our never failing, brave and hardworking infantry (aka grunts).

Everyone from presidents to high ranking officers and even celebrities have commented on how important, committed and passionate Marines are to the mission of keeping the United States of America safe. These men’s dedication and persistence is what makes us stand perfectly still and hold our hands over our hearts while the National Anthem is being played. These men have pride and honor for their jobs more than any civilian will ever know. When they celebrate their Marine Corps Birthday these men are not just using this day as an excuse to party hard, have a day off or to slack off. Not every Marine gets to have dinner in a classy location surrounded by flowers and alcohol. They are celebrating and honoring their current brothers and past Marines the ones who could attend and the ones who could not. Some who have come and gone and the Marines who have died in combat for Americans freedoms and safety not hesitating to give this ultimate sacrifice if it means we’ll be able to sleep peacefully one more night. As wives we have an overwhelming sense of pride for OUR Marines, their service and commitment to duty and I know their pride is over 10 times more than what any of us could ever imagine. We are all in this together and no we didn’t say the oath but being married to your Marine you are also part of this amazing Corps! So I hope everyone has an amazing Marine Corps Birthday! Have some cake, kiss your Marine, and enjoy this day!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!

the crazy news...Afghanistan!

My husband, Anthony had some big plans even before his MEU deployment was over. Out of the thirteen hundred or so in the battalion from the MEU (ship) deployment my husband volunteered along with almost two hundred more to go to Afghanistan to assist another battalion. He didn’t even ask me before saying YES to his CO! I wasn’t necessarily mad just concerned and worried. What is a good Marine Corps wife to do though? I knew that would be an option sooner or later and possibly numerous times, he is a grunt and therefore trained from the beginning in war tactics and was anxious to use his skills in real life. He lived for this and wanted to do his part to help. I didn’t have a choice but to say, “go get ‘em” when he called and needed to hear my approval and support for him. He wanted to know I was behind him and would always be so I swallowed any anxiousness, fear and dread and did just that. My only comfort was that it wasn’t another full 6 or 7 month deployment. It was only going to be for four months. I knew his higher up’s and they had been there before, I knew they were the best the battalion had to offer. Because of the seriousness of the situation, we went home for a few days on his leave period to tell the parents and family. We gathered them all together for dinner meeting at a restaurant (public place so no one could freak out, faint or scream) and let them all in on Anthony’s next deployment. No one screamed, fainted or freaked out, it was just an eerie silence and sense of worry in the room. They all had questions and concerns about everything and wanted to know more information which we didn’t really have. Anthony simply promised that I would keep everyone informed as much as possible just like I always have while helping the Family Readiness Officer for his unit. When information came in and was relevant, I passed it along to them.

Let me tell you the veterans and their wives who shake every Marine and Soldier’s hand in Maine bring tears to my eyes! They are there morning, noon and night to do this service and show their support when many Americans wouldn’t even think about doing this small gesture during their busy day. They provide basic necessities, food and free cell phones and land lines for the troops to call home. I can only imagine the pride and warmth in their hearts to do this for our men and women going to or coming from harm’s way. The pictures on their website are just so motivating and make me want to give more considering how much time they give for our guys!

Mail and custom care packages were formed and were shipped. I loved helping the FRO during all of this. I came to meet so many wonderfully inspiring and resourceful parents who wanted nothing more than to get the items the men were requesting and somehow produce mass quantities of it for their benefit. Because of my select Magnificent Parents; I know every single Marine got care packages with their much needed items and lots of goodies. These really great families volunteer for organizations which are just so supportive of our Marines. So our Marines moved around from Camp to Camp and did mission after mission. Days went by, at first we were focused on how long it would take to get there, their mailing addresses once they got there, what exactly would they need in this climate (which could be 120* in some spots, very steep mountain terrain, and the sanitation conditions aren't as convenient as in the USA) how much of it and how often, when would phone calls and emails start rolling in, keeping in contact with other wives and parents who possibly needed the previous information, ect. There is always just so much information in any deployment which some families may or may not need to be passed along to them.

Unfortunately for my husband, while there he was in a small arms fire fight and was shot several times. Luckily out of all those bullets only one of them hit him and went through his leg behind the knee. Out of the other bullets one went through the remote controlled IED scrambler on his back (and it still worked afterwards) and one went through his yellow smoke canister (he got to keep this bullet). He was the first one in out of the almost two hundred to get WIA (Wounded in Action). Anthony is the team leader he called in his own injury, found his guys and they were able to get to him, tourniquet the wound and medevac him out of the hot zone. He was in as good of spirits as could be expected during this time and I was told Anthony asked for ice cream knowing he was going to Camp Leatherneck for treatment.  I was like ICE CREAM!!! REALLY!?!?! He's so silly!

He knows how lucky he is since if any of those others would have hit him he would probably not have been here today. Thankfully, all of his command has been so supportive and reassuring. From our prior Bn CO (Battalion Commanding Officer) the current command and friends who didn’t volunteer to go and were back here near me, everyone has been by my side emotionally and physically. I couldn’t have asked for anything better than their words of encouragement and love in a stressful situation. Currently we aren’t sure which way the tide will turn for Anthony’s leg. We are getting second and third opinions on his progress and end results. He wants nothing more than to be the best Marine he can be and continue to be in this supportive and family oriented organization. There have been many changes during our time here so far and there will continue to be many more in the near future.

Unfortunately, the situation out there only got worse after Anthony’s injury. The other wives who got the phone call and the one who got that terrible knock at the door with Marines in their blues will always be connected by this deployment because it changed our lives forever.

Homecoming...

One of the best things about deployments besides the gifts your Marine gets you is their arrival!! Depending on the type of deployment, the location of their deployment and what base you are stationed at will determine the kind of Homecoming Reception your unit has.

I know that on MEU’s sometimes they let Marines get off the ship and use their leave time early instead of waiting the extra week or more to make it back to land for the big homecoming. It was a really great relief for some to see their heroes early and an exhilarating surprise for others to have their husbands standing outside their door! The Facebook posts from so many wives that weekend were so moving and I melted thinking of how some of these strong, hardened Marines thought of a plan to fly home before everyone else and catch their wives off guard with no makeup on, the house a mess, a full load of dishes in the sink and probably a pile of laundry! LOL! Hilarious but yet thoughtful and romantic at the same time!

Some families stay at home and let the Marines drive their own vehicle from their drop off location and choose to not wait for hours on base for their arrival. For our first deployment I wasn’t even in the state myself because I was unaware of how incredibly amazing the homecomings can be. Not all homecomings have the rolled out carpets and velvet ropes. Not all homecomings the Marines march in together in formation. Not everyone’s experience is the same but at times it is a very surreal, somber, emotional, heartfelt, heartbreaking, and thrilling event which can be an exhausting for the reasons stated above.

This particular homecoming though I was pumped up for because not only had I helped the FRO and families during this deployment quite a bit but I felt like my heart was in the production of helping our other wives set up, prepare and assist family members during the waiting game before the busses arrived with the men. Now on the family readiness side we thought we were pretty prepared. We had plenty of coffee makers, ice, balloons, snacks, water, kids’ patriotic paintings, mini flags to line the streets and canopies for families to sit under. This is where the Semper Gumby comes in at. It was thought to be beneficial and convenient to have Homecoming Arrival time frames for the family members to go by. As Homecomings can be the times were incorrect and our time frames were early by about 5-6 hours. Thankfully, all of the parents and wives I talked to were very patient, understanding and cooperative during this time especially knowing their Marines are so close to being in their arms. When the busses started to arrive and head towards the armory it was a sight for sore eyes. Unfortunately but expectedly some of the attendees wandered off thinking they’d get to get their men early but all it did was to stall the transition and accountability process. We were about 300 yards away from the armory on a different street. From where all of the families were at we couldn’t see the Marines coming up to us from a distance. We were near a BEQ (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters or barracks rooms) and there were Marines walking around in their cami’s all day so we didn’t really even know when they had been released from the armory to walk our way. Would they all be marching into the Homecoming location? When they started trickling in two and four at a time people were on pins and needles; but was it really them? We all stood on our tip toes trying to catch a glimpse of a familiar face since all of these Marines seem at times to look alike!! I’ve heard so many stories of ladies who grabbed and hugged the wrong Marine! LOL! Hilarious but I didn’t want it to be me!

Slowly but surely hugs, tears, screams and jumping commenced; they were on their way! Eventually after a long tiring day we all found our Marine and were able to hug for the first time in nearly 7 months! They had all had long and stressful days so all they wanted was to eat some Carl’s Jr. or McDonalds, get a shower and head home. Another deployment down and many more to go in these years to come! My husband had information for me in the next few hours that would change my world forever. Little did he know that I was already aware of the situation but hadn’t come to grips with it just yet…