A Week In San Diego!!!

I know this Blog is all about Brian and his journey, but reality states that we, his family, are also going through a journey of our own. Brian enlisted. We were drafted! Anyways, I am including some photos and tales of our week in San Diego.

Molly, Danny and I arrived in San Diego late in the afternoon of October 30, 2008.

This was Molly's second plane trip and Danny's first.

After getting our rental car and a GPS monitor (Thank you Fred for suggesting this!!!!!) we arrived at our hotel. We stayed at the Days Inn which was a well worn, well loved, older, inexpensive hotel with a pool and much appreciated hot tub! We settled into our two room suite, then headed across the street to eat dinner at Extreme Pizza. The kids hung out in the pool until closing (10 pm) and I hit the hot tub! Pure Heaven!!!! We met some other kids and parents who were also Marine Families!

October 31, 2008 Halloween!!!!

After a good night's sleep, we had fresh,

hot cooked scrambled eggs, pancakes and OJ for breakfast.

Compliments of the hotel. We visited MCRD and hiked around the base... MCRD ( Marine Corps Recruit Depot). We spent about five hours there. The base is absolutely massive. The buildings have a Hispanic flair with tiled roofs and golden stucco siding and arched entries.

Rct. Stetson Carr, Friend's son in MRP.

We attempted to visit a fellow Recruit Mom's injured son in MRP (Medical Rehabilitation Platoon) but were unsuccessful in doing so. The Recruit Commander did deliver a message to the Recruit for us.

We met a 30 year career Marine who recommended we have lunch at the Base Recreation Center. He escorted us to the

Rec Center which was on the far end of the base. The

Rec Center had a movie theater, bowling alley, pool tables and arcade. There was TV and a bar as well. We ordered really good, inexpensive food and enjoyed a very nice lunch. We also rented some bowling shoes and bowled 10 games. Danny was by far the best. Molly was a close second and although mom came in last, it was agreed that mom showed the most improvement!

Look at that form!!! Molly has it down pat.

Mom likes the red bowling ball. It was the

lightest one I could find with finger holes that I could fit into! Danny... such a professional!!!

It cost us a total of $20 for our lunch, bowling shoes and games!! What a bargain!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008.....

Yiayia Molly's 80th Birthday! We sang the Happy Birthday song to Yiayia on the phone.

Today's destination.... The San Diego Zoo!!!!!

We spent about 6 hours at the zoo from early morning until late afternoon. It was a hot day and we saw a ton and walked a ton.

Amazing to us were all of the plants...

especially the cactus!

Some cacti were small with flat wide 'leaves'. Others were taller than we were, skinny, too! And some were beautiful purples and fushia colors!

We saw elephants,

Snakes,

flamingoes, rhinos,

and other strange creatures too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We rode on the tram. Having some fun now! Found out they only sold one way tickets

so we had to buy two - one way tickets for each of us..... Silly!!!!

After lunch and souvenirs, we headed back to the hotel. A dip in the pool, then Dinner at ..............

This turned out to be our favorite place to eat!!! We ate here many times!

November 2, 2008....

SeaWorld

with Auntie Suzie and Uncle Fred

We met Suzie and Fred at the entrance to SeaWorld at 10 am. Suzie was our tour guide! Oh what fun! We walked all day long.... and saw the Halloween themed Seal

Show!

We got soaking wet... on the rides. Danny had to buy some dry clothes! When it came time to see the Orca Whale shows, Danny bought rain ponchos for us!!!! He did not want to get all wet again!

After a full day of dolphin shows, Orca shows, polar bears, belugas, and more than I can possibly describe here.... we walked out the gates preparing as Sea World closed down for the night... It was 7 pm!!!!

November 3, 2008

Meet & Greet at Cafe Coyote!!!

We picked Yiayia Vivie up at the airport in the morning. She got checked into her hotel room, then we just hung out round the pool for much of the day. Pizza for lunch - poolside!

In the evening we headed to Cafe Coyote in Old Town to finally meet many of the Recruit Parents that I had been corresponding with during our recruit's 13 weeks of Boot Camp.

The DeAngelo Kids with Molly and Danny!

Julie, Dani, Sandra and Me!

The Drill Instructor's Creed

United States Marine Corps

Drill Instructor's Creed

These Recruits are entrusted to my care.  I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of the Corps and Country.  I will demand of them and demonstrate by my own personal example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill.

The Crucible!!!

The last week in October, Brian and his fellow Recruits experienced The Crucible!!  This is a final assessment of mental and physical skills learned during the previous twelve weeks of training.  It is an awesome experience which the Recruits look forward to.  I read the book IntoTheCrucible and was absolutely amazed at how comprehensive this assessment is.  If you are interested in learning more of what Brian experienced I would highly recommend reading this book.

The Recruits must complete some 40 physical challenge courses together with their fellow Recruits.  Each Challenge course is named after a Medal of Honor recipient. Each challenge is constructed in such a way that it can only be completed via a team effort.  None of these challenges are able to be completed by any one individual. It is physically impossible.  In order to complete each challenge course, the Recruits must demonstrate committed  team work, mental strategy, leadership, and physical abilities.  

The Recruits take turns being the Leader of the group.  At each challenge course, the Recruits are taught about the Medal of Honor recipient and his/her story.  They are required to evaluate their team's accomplishment or lack thereof at the end of each course.  They must interpret the story of the Medal Of Honor recipient and it's underlying message.  Ultimately The Crucible instills in these young men not only the physical abilities of Warriors, but more importantly, the Corps Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Without an intimate understanding of these Values, the team cannot successfully complete their challenges.  

During the 54 hour Crucible, the Recruits are allowed to sleep about 4-8 hours and have a total of 2.5 MREs (Meals Ready To Eat).  Brian said reality puts The Crucible at 60 + hours.  They are lucky to get 3-4 hours of sleep and 2.5 MREs go really fast!!!  The Crucible begins at 0200 (2 am) on the first day, ending about 1000 (10 am) on the last day.  This is only after a grueling climb to the top

of a very steep hill best known as The Grim Reaper, then a nine mile hike back to base where these dog tired, yet very proud young men, Recruits, receive the coveted  Eagle Globe and Anchor emblem and  the honor of being called  United States Marine.

Private Conom, Brian P. USMC

2008 Brian's Journey Continues; Boot Camp

First Week of Boot...aka Recruit Training!

Brian arrived at MCRD SD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego) late on August 11, 2008.  We had been told not to expect to hear from him, but were pleasantly surprised when at 11:11 pm PDT, Brian called on the home phone to inform us that he had arrived.  It was a scripted call, "Recruit Conom calling to inform you that he has arrived safely at MCRD. This Recruit is doing well. I love you. Bye."  John was fortunate to have answered the phone.  After the 10 second call, John ran upstairs, with the biggest, brightest smile and told me that Brian had just called.  I am so happy that John answered the call.  Just seeing his happy face was so awesome!  On Friday, August 15, 2008, approximately 7 pm PDT, we received another call from Brian. Danny and I were camping at Deception Pass at the time.  John called us on my cell phone (thank goodness for cellular technology!) and told us.... "Bri called! He is doing great!  He sounded really really good@"  Brian had told John that the entire platoon (about 95 - 100 Recruits) had a total of 15 minutes to make calls home.  He said that they had started training a couple of days earlier and all was good.  I called my mom right after talking to John to tell her about the call, but she already knew all about it

 because my most wonderful husband had called his mother in law immediately to tell her all about it.  I was so touched by this.  John is such a good man.

September and October 2008!

I wrote Brian every single day that he was gone at Boot. Believe it or not, I kept my letters fairly short, never more than one page in length (okay both sides of the paper, I suppose, counts as two pages - details details!!).  I often sent him Marine jokes or Recruit questionnaires that were pretty funny.  Of course, John, molly and Danny also wrote to him.  Countless others wrote to Brian during his time at Boot as well... Both of his Yiayias, Aunts, Uncles, Godmother, even a Great uncle from Detroit, family friends, former teachers and

 principals, cousins, my child care cherubs ... and the list goes on.  This Recruit definitely knew he was missed and loved.  He was so very fortunate to have so much support and encouragement from so many people.

Brian sent home a total of nine letters over the course of the 13 weeks of Boot Camp.  As I hadn't expected him to write at all, I felt quite blessed.  I didn't exactly stalk the Main Man, but I did find that whenever there was a letter from Bri, it was always placed very carefully on top of the stack of mail, so it was the first thing I saw when I opened our box!  A couple of times, our Mail Man even delivered the mail personally to my door!  Most of Brian's letters were short - perhaps 3-4 lines.  It would take everyone in the family many days to decipher his handwriting. Molly proved to be the most skilled decoder!  His letters would say "Hi Family, How are you. I'm having fun..... ."  A couple of letters were actually two pages long!!!!  These took a little longer to decipher.  It also took several more family and friends to assist in the decoding task!  I would photocopy the letter and everyone would 'write in' their interpretation of the letter.  It became quite a fun challenge actually.

In October, Brian was selected for Special Forces - Presidential Support Duty testing.  He spent several hours with psychological assessments and such. In the end five out of fifty Recruits were selected.  Brian declined the 'offer' saying he thought that one to two years of active duty in Washington DC, guarding the President of the United States, would be boring.  Of course, Yiayia Vivie said she liked the idea of Brian being bored in Washington DC!

All in all, Brian's letters always sounded upbeat and positive.  He said that the first few days in August, he got yelled at a lot by his DIs (Drill instructors), but that he figured it out quickly, so they moved onto others.  He continually talked about shooting his weapons and had great respect for his DIs.

When Brian enlisted, he thought of going into RECON (Reconnaissance) for his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).  Along the way, he changed his mind and decided that he soooo very much enjoyed the whole shooting of weapons and such that perhaps, down the road, he may want to become a Marksman Instructor, so he selected Infantry 0311 Rifleman as his MOS. The training for this will begin after he is through Boot.

2008!!! Brian's Year In Review

Private Conom, Brian P. USMC

February thru July 2008

February 2008  

Brian, now 18 years old, undergoes extensive physical, mental, psychological and cognitive testing at MEPS (Military Enlistment 

Protocol Station) in Seattle and officially enlists with the USMC (United States Marine Corps) DEP (Delayed Entry Program).

For a few years prior to this Brian had been exploring the various military branches to see which would be the best for himself.  He included Mom and Dad in the process of enlisting with the Corps.  His RO (Recruiting Officer) spent hours in our home, on the phone and in her office answering our questions and concerns.  

We had a very positive recruiting process.  "We" were never promised anything specific and were always given frank honest replies to our questions.  We truly felt as if the RO wanted what was best for us and Brian as well as the Corps.  If the Corps wasn't going to work for Brian, then they didn't want him to enlist.  

Of course, Brian did enlist!  Just the action of enlistment began many changes in Brian.  For one, he began to attend school!  Brian's goals were to graduate from Kamiak High School in June 2008 and to prepare for Boot Camp in August, 2008.  

Every weekend and most Wednesday evenings from February to August 2008, we would drive Brian to the Everett Recruiting Office so Brian could train and work out with Recruiters and fellow Pooles (pronounced 'pool - eez'; the given name for DEP recruits).

June 2008 

Brian graduates from Kamiak High School.  In this day and age a graduate receives not only their diploma, but also a WASL Certificate of Success, and a Culminating Project Certificate of Completion.  We don't know what Brian did for his culminating project. I do know it had something to do with his future as a US Marine.  

July 2008 

Brian has four wisdom teeth pulled. All Recruits with wisdom teeth have them removed during Boot.  The RO highly recommended that this be done prior to boot camp. Brian is sooo glad he did not wait until boot.

We threw a combination Graduation/FareWell Recruit party for Brian.  Brian wanted to keep this party to close family friends and family.  We ended up with just under 40 folk feasting on salmon, salads and Brian's favorite; cheesecake!  

Uncle Louie and Aunt Joe from Eastern WA were unable to make it to the July party, but they made a special trip to Seattle just to see Brian before he left for Boot.  This culminated in a big dinner feast at Yiayia Vivie's!

August thru December 2008

August 2008

Brian has his 'last supper' with us at the Outback Steak House.  Ribs were his chosen last meal!   Brian decides he won't become a military barber after he shaves one three inch strip

Danny's 'Badge of Honor'; His 'shaved' head - hair styling by big brother bri.

of Danny's head!  Danny wore his 'shaved' head like a badge of honor.  He was shaved by his big brother!!

August 11, 2008

Dad, Mom, Molly, Danny and Yiayia Vivie arrive at MEPS to witness Brian's 'swearing in' just before he boards his plane for boot camp.  The Army Captain who officiated the swear-in of about 12 Marine Recruits and 2 Army Recruits shared that these young men have already started to serve their country just by enlisting. Voluntary enlistment numbers have been exceptionally high! It is the first time in history, while being in a 'war' situation for this length of time, that our country has not needed to implement the 'draft'.   

08/11/2008 BC swears in at MEPS

To watch our son, stand at attention, so serious, so sure of what he is doing.... well it brought tears to John's eyes (in addition to the rest of us) -- need I say more. As Brian left to board the bus that would take him to the airport, he just seemed to be at home, for the first time, in a long time.