"Dear Mom & Bree and the Middletons,
"Sorry that this is only my third letter. I would write more but we never have time. Anyway, thanks for the letters and the picture of Theo. I love getting mail.
"For Alexis, the chow here is good. And I have eaten mashed potatos and even brownies (once). The brownie was really good.
"So I don't know much about Family Day other than I get to see you. And I am excited about Disneyland. (Can't wait.)
"The second phase starts next Friday when we pack up and drive to Pendleton. Don't worry about the address it is the same, they just forward it. Yes, Pendleton will be lots of rifles and hiking. (Marines call it "humping it".)
"Joe's good. He has gotten some mail, too. And hey! Make the letters as long as possible.
"Church is good. I like that there are no DIs and I like the talks.
"One question. Who is coming to graduation? GDad and Gma? UB & AA? Dad and Debi? Theo?
"Anyway, I want to tell you all I love you and miss you all so so much. I can't wait to see all of you in 2 months (and go to Disneyland :) Well, got to finish getting ready for tomorrow.
"Love your favorite recruit,
"Jacob Turley
I am always relieved when I get a letter from Jake because it means he is okay. And he sounds upbeat and happy so that is also reassuring.
It looks like letters will arrive on Thursday so if you are following this blog, look for updates (letters) on Friday. Thanks again to everyone who is writing him. He appreciates it and so do I. Anyone who thinks they are going to go to graduation, either let him know or let me know. (Except those people I already know about.) Love you all, too!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
More Mail
"Dear Mom,
"I want to thank you and everyone for the letters. And I miss you very, very much. So I think this letter will be for the blog.
"So I arrived at MCRD San Diego at around 3pm. A DI (Drill Instructor) came on the bus, told us to get off and onto the yellow footprints. Then they took us inside and gave us a few bags to carry. Then they had us make our phone calls. After that they had us sit cross-legged against a wall for about an hour. (It sucked.)
"Since we were the first bus load to arrive, they had us do some filing. We filed papers for about 8 hours. If someone would have given me the option, I would have quit right then. That was the worst experience I can think of in my entire life. Then they got all the recruitees together and marched us to the chow hall for morning chow. The rest of the day we set up our house and bunks. The rest of that week was spent running around getting x-rays, shots, peeing in a cup, doing papers, drawing blood and a few other things.
"Oh. Did I mention that the first day we didn't sleep? That Friday, we met our real DI and moved into our house. [That would have been August 29.] If you want to know what Friday was like, watch Full Metal Jacket.
"The past two weeks went by real fast. One day we got our rifles and learned how to march with them. We had a lot of classes; some about first aid, history, the Corp values, and a whole lot of other subjects. We have also had a few martial arts classes.
"It is Monday, the 15th, I think and Saturday will be initial drill. That is pretty much the end of Phase I.
"Next week is swim week. And that Friday we will be going up north to Camp Pendleton for a few weeks. I am really excited for our time at Camp Pendleton.
"So, I want you all to know that I love you and miss everyone a lot. And I want to thank everyone for the letters. They help a whole lot.
"Love, Your Future Marine,
"Jacob Turley
"PS Mom, I forgot to cancel my gym membership. If you could try and get it cancelled or have Dad put money in my bank account [:)] that would be much appreciated.
"PSS Give Theo lots of love for me."
Again... lots of love for Theo. Only. Well, not really. I can tell that he misses all of us. Maybe more accurately, he misses the comforts of home, but I think that means he misses us. And I also think that he sounds really good. I am amazed that he writes longer letters than I thought he would; something for which I am truly grateful.
To everyone who has written letters to Jacob, thank you. And please continue to do so. He seems to really like getting mail.
"I want to thank you and everyone for the letters. And I miss you very, very much. So I think this letter will be for the blog.
"So I arrived at MCRD San Diego at around 3pm. A DI (Drill Instructor) came on the bus, told us to get off and onto the yellow footprints. Then they took us inside and gave us a few bags to carry. Then they had us make our phone calls. After that they had us sit cross-legged against a wall for about an hour. (It sucked.)
"Since we were the first bus load to arrive, they had us do some filing. We filed papers for about 8 hours. If someone would have given me the option, I would have quit right then. That was the worst experience I can think of in my entire life. Then they got all the recruitees together and marched us to the chow hall for morning chow. The rest of the day we set up our house and bunks. The rest of that week was spent running around getting x-rays, shots, peeing in a cup, doing papers, drawing blood and a few other things.
"Oh. Did I mention that the first day we didn't sleep? That Friday, we met our real DI and moved into our house. [That would have been August 29.] If you want to know what Friday was like, watch Full Metal Jacket.
"The past two weeks went by real fast. One day we got our rifles and learned how to march with them. We had a lot of classes; some about first aid, history, the Corp values, and a whole lot of other subjects. We have also had a few martial arts classes.
"It is Monday, the 15th, I think and Saturday will be initial drill. That is pretty much the end of Phase I.
"Next week is swim week. And that Friday we will be going up north to Camp Pendleton for a few weeks. I am really excited for our time at Camp Pendleton.
"So, I want you all to know that I love you and miss everyone a lot. And I want to thank everyone for the letters. They help a whole lot.
"Love, Your Future Marine,
"Jacob Turley
"PS Mom, I forgot to cancel my gym membership. If you could try and get it cancelled or have Dad put money in my bank account [:)] that would be much appreciated.
"PSS Give Theo lots of love for me."
Again... lots of love for Theo. Only. Well, not really. I can tell that he misses all of us. Maybe more accurately, he misses the comforts of home, but I think that means he misses us. And I also think that he sounds really good. I am amazed that he writes longer letters than I thought he would; something for which I am truly grateful.
To everyone who has written letters to Jacob, thank you. And please continue to do so. He seems to really like getting mail.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Family Day
Okay... I found the information on Family Day.
Family Day is November 20... and begins with an optional breakfast from 6:30 -9:00 am at The Bay View Restaurant. There will be shuttle buses from the restaurant to take us to the next event. (Jacob does not get to attend this with us.)
The briefing and welcome begins at 9:30 am at MCRD. We learn the dos and don'ts for Visitor's Day. Then at 10:30, the recruits will participate in the Motivational Run... this will be the first chance that we get to see Jacob. The next scheduled activity is not until 12:30 so I am not sure what goes on for two hours but I sure hope that the recruits do not run for two hours!
At 12:30 to 1:00 there is a Liberty Formation which is a ceremony where the recruits change from recruits to U.S. Marines. Then at 1:00 to 6:00 Jacob will be given Liberty and can hang out with us although he may not leave the base. There is a lunch held at The Bay View Restaurant where we can meet the Drill Instructors from 2:00 to 5:00. From 4:00 to 6:00 there is a Family Open House where all the families can meet. At 6:00, Liberty ends and Jake returns to the barracks.
The schedule for Friday is breakfast from 6:30 to 9:00; again, optional. At 8:00 there will be a Color Ceremony... raising of the flags and a performance by the Marine Band and Color Guard. We are allowed to arrive at the reviewing stands at 8:45 and the graduation ceremony begins at 10:00. Then lunch follows at 11:00 and Marines eat free! Then I think we get to take Jake and go, but not sure on this just yet.
You can read all about it at http://recruitparents.com/bootcamp/graduation-sd.asp.
Family Day is November 20... and begins with an optional breakfast from 6:30 -9:00 am at The Bay View Restaurant. There will be shuttle buses from the restaurant to take us to the next event. (Jacob does not get to attend this with us.)
The briefing and welcome begins at 9:30 am at MCRD. We learn the dos and don'ts for Visitor's Day. Then at 10:30, the recruits will participate in the Motivational Run... this will be the first chance that we get to see Jacob. The next scheduled activity is not until 12:30 so I am not sure what goes on for two hours but I sure hope that the recruits do not run for two hours!
At 12:30 to 1:00 there is a Liberty Formation which is a ceremony where the recruits change from recruits to U.S. Marines. Then at 1:00 to 6:00 Jacob will be given Liberty and can hang out with us although he may not leave the base. There is a lunch held at The Bay View Restaurant where we can meet the Drill Instructors from 2:00 to 5:00. From 4:00 to 6:00 there is a Family Open House where all the families can meet. At 6:00, Liberty ends and Jake returns to the barracks.
The schedule for Friday is breakfast from 6:30 to 9:00; again, optional. At 8:00 there will be a Color Ceremony... raising of the flags and a performance by the Marine Band and Color Guard. We are allowed to arrive at the reviewing stands at 8:45 and the graduation ceremony begins at 10:00. Then lunch follows at 11:00 and Marines eat free! Then I think we get to take Jake and go, but not sure on this just yet.
You can read all about it at http://recruitparents.com/bootcamp/graduation-sd.asp.
Graduation Day
I just found out that Jake's graduation from boot camp is November 21, 2008. It is the Friday before Thanksgiving in San Diego so hopefully with all of us knowing this early, we can all make plans to be there. I know that Jake wants all of us to be there to see him graduate.
There is also something called Family Day which I don't anything else about at this time. In a letter I received from his company commander, it referred to "enclosed material" which I did not receive. So I am trying to find out more information and will let you all know.
Keep Jacob in your prayers. I appreciate all the support you are giving to him.
There is also something called Family Day which I don't anything else about at this time. In a letter I received from his company commander, it referred to "enclosed material" which I did not receive. So I am trying to find out more information and will let you all know.
Keep Jacob in your prayers. I appreciate all the support you are giving to him.
Monday, September 8, 2008
A REAL Letter
Today we received an actual, handwritten letter from Jake. Yeah! Here is what he had to say:
"Dear Mom,
"Hey, its me your favorite son. Just wanted to tell you I love you and miss you a whole bunch. Also I want you to know I'm alright and actually having some fun. I'm sorry I have not written you until now but this is the first time I have had free time. And I think I am graduating on the 22nd or 21st but I don't know for sure.
"As for my address, it's in a typed up letter sent a few days ago. But ya, I have been having some fun. We have only PT'ed twice. The rest of the time we are marching or eating. So, I'm sorry about my penmanship (Note from mom: be glad I am typing this instead of scanning it in) and how scatter-brained I am. So I just wanted to tell you and everybody else I love you and miss you lots.
"Jacob Turley
"P.S. How is Theo doing?
"P.S.S. Sorry about the phone call I had just been running and was out of breath."
Things I have learned: Jake likes the word "so". He loves us and misses us. He is even having fun. Something that I am very happy about. And, last but not least, Theo is maybe the most important one of all of us since Jake only inquired about him.
Just kidding... sort of. Actually, I love it that he loves little Theo. He is a good uncle.
"Dear Mom,
"Hey, its me your favorite son. Just wanted to tell you I love you and miss you a whole bunch. Also I want you to know I'm alright and actually having some fun. I'm sorry I have not written you until now but this is the first time I have had free time. And I think I am graduating on the 22nd or 21st but I don't know for sure.
"As for my address, it's in a typed up letter sent a few days ago. But ya, I have been having some fun. We have only PT'ed twice. The rest of the time we are marching or eating. So, I'm sorry about my penmanship (Note from mom: be glad I am typing this instead of scanning it in) and how scatter-brained I am. So I just wanted to tell you and everybody else I love you and miss you lots.
"Jacob Turley
"P.S. How is Theo doing?
"P.S.S. Sorry about the phone call I had just been running and was out of breath."
Things I have learned: Jake likes the word "so". He loves us and misses us. He is even having fun. Something that I am very happy about. And, last but not least, Theo is maybe the most important one of all of us since Jake only inquired about him.
Just kidding... sort of. Actually, I love it that he loves little Theo. He is a good uncle.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Mail! Sort of...
Aubree retrieved the mail this afternoon and came running back to the house. A letter from Jacob! Yeah! And the envelope was a bit bulky indicating (you would think) a long, newsy letter. Not so. Sigh.
The letter was actually typed written, double-spaced and a form letter. Here is what it said:
"Dear ______________, (Jake wrote in "Mom" here)
I have arrived at MCRD San Diego and have been placed in my training platoon. I am fine and in good health. While here at Recruit Training I am not allowed to receive certain items such as vitamins, alcohol, pornographic material, gambling devices, tobacco products, and combustibles. Please do not send any packages (i.e., cookies, candy, socks, underwear, etc.). Also prescription medication cannot be sent under any circumstances. A medical officer authorized to treat recruits will provide all medication to me. While here at Recruit Training I will not need you to send any money, I earn enough money to cover all expenses that will occur while going through day-to-day training here at MCRD San Diego. I apologize that this letter is short but in the beginning we are somewhat pressed for time. To talk to other parents you can go to www.recruitparents.com and go to the message board link. Also My Senior Drill Instructor's e-mail address is Pierre.Tedtaotao@usmc.mil. He said you could e-mail him with any specific questions you may have. I promise to write later.
You can reach me at the following address:
Recruit Turley, Jacob C
1st BN Delta Co Platoon 1065
4000 Midway Avenue
San Diego, CA 92140-1061
Sincerely, "Jacob Turley"... this part was his actual signature.
Then there was another letter enclosed from his Company Commander. It had a lot of information about what was happening (sort of) but mostly said that my recruit could use positive letters from home. Please feel free to send Jake a letter. I don't know how often he will write anyone, except of course me, but it would be great for him to hear from you all and feel of your love and support.
The letter was dated August 29 so maybe Friday's are the day they write. We'll see.
The letter was actually typed written, double-spaced and a form letter. Here is what it said:
"Dear ______________, (Jake wrote in "Mom" here)
I have arrived at MCRD San Diego and have been placed in my training platoon. I am fine and in good health. While here at Recruit Training I am not allowed to receive certain items such as vitamins, alcohol, pornographic material, gambling devices, tobacco products, and combustibles. Please do not send any packages (i.e., cookies, candy, socks, underwear, etc.). Also prescription medication cannot be sent under any circumstances. A medical officer authorized to treat recruits will provide all medication to me. While here at Recruit Training I will not need you to send any money, I earn enough money to cover all expenses that will occur while going through day-to-day training here at MCRD San Diego. I apologize that this letter is short but in the beginning we are somewhat pressed for time. To talk to other parents you can go to www.recruitparents.com and go to the message board link. Also My Senior Drill Instructor's e-mail address is Pierre.Tedtaotao@usmc.mil. He said you could e-mail him with any specific questions you may have. I promise to write later.
You can reach me at the following address:
Recruit Turley, Jacob C
1st BN Delta Co Platoon 1065
4000 Midway Avenue
San Diego, CA 92140-1061
Sincerely, "Jacob Turley"... this part was his actual signature.
Then there was another letter enclosed from his Company Commander. It had a lot of information about what was happening (sort of) but mostly said that my recruit could use positive letters from home. Please feel free to send Jake a letter. I don't know how often he will write anyone, except of course me, but it would be great for him to hear from you all and feel of your love and support.
The letter was dated August 29 so maybe Friday's are the day they write. We'll see.
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