Week 2...Check!

This is probably one of the hardest weeks for Justin, and it probably just got a little bit harder for him... Last Friday, Justin's Grandma on his dad's side passed away. She had been fighting a long time battle with Alzheimer's, and was a tough cookie and lived on until the age of 88. When I found out the news, a co-worker who has a son in the Navy, experienced a similar experience with the passing of her brother while her son was at boot camp. She gave me the number of the American Red Cross, and told me that they would be able to notify Justin about his grandma's passing.

 

Justin called me at 5am on Saturday and told me he received the news, and asked me the general questions. When did she pass, how did she pass, and when the funeral was. Since this was the first call I had received from him since the 10 second phone call I got on Monday where he told me he made it safely to BCT, this wasn't the first phone call I was looking forward to, and I can only imagine he felt the same way. It was hard on him, and I felt awful, but we all knew he would've wanted to hear it sooner, rather than later, and not through a letter.

Justin was able to call later again that day and he was doing better. He said that he was able to keep his mind off of the news with the stuff they had him do during the day. They apparently issued the group their weapons today, but because of the news and conditions, they decided to take away Justin's weapons until Monday. He thought it was kind of funny, but understood why they did it.

I just received a letter in the mail from Justin today. Justin said in his letters that the first few days haven't been as bad as he was expecting, but they haven't been fun. He mentioned that the yelling isn't as bad as he thought it would be, but doesn't understand why they can't laugh at the drill sergeants jokes... He also said that he was able to run 2 miles in under 16:35 minutes, but will definitely need to work on push-ups and sit ups.

There are 36 males (for now) and 10 females. The drill sergeants have already been yelling at people that they will not graduate, and one who might get sent home in his platoon. He thought they were doing it to try and motivate people, but it might be true with this guy. He has not mentioned that they've been threatening to kick Justin out, so I assume he is doing just fine.

If you would like to send him letters or cards, I know he would love it and would definitely appreciate it during these rough 10 weeks. Here is his address:

Justin McKissick
D CO 2/39 INF REGIMENT
10400 HAMPTON PKWY
4th PLT EXECUTIONERS
FT. JACKSON, SC 29207

They asked that we NOT send food items, medications, magazines, cameras, news paper articles or internet articles...  If you want to send him updates on Sports, please feel free to write him a summary on what is going on in the world, as I probably will not do that great of a job.

As for JD and I, we survived another week! It has definitely been hard not being able to talk to Justin on the phone via text or calls everyday, but I'm hoping that I will "get used to it." I have to for the time being, but I don't plan on liking it!

JD has asked for Justin a few days last week, and it was really hard to explain to him where he was, and when I offered to show him pictures of his dad, but he didn't really want to look at them. But I make sure that he kisses dad's picture goodnight every night, and that I give JD extra hugs and kisses from dad. JD is a little trooper and I know we'll all get through this!

 

Smiling while he does the Hot Dog Dance from Mickey Mouse Club House

 

They are becoming best buddies while Justin is away