Thursday 6-16

The son of one of our best friends, Steve, a Marine in Special Ops (in
training,) comes over to visit. He has 14 days of leave from his Marine
base in NC. After welcoming him and talking for several hours my son and
daughter take him down to the Flats of Cleveland to enjoy watching the boats
on the river while having some appetisizers at the local pub.

Prior to them leaving my wife asked Steve what he really craves for
dinner..... his response (with no hesitation)....meatloaf, mashed taters and
corn......my wife cooks it. During and after the meal we had some good
family discussions and found out what Steve has been doing since being in
the Special Ops training. Later we watched a DVD (The Matrix Reloaded),
although Steve falls asleep and I wake him to go to bed in our guest
bedroom.

Friday 6-17

Steve wakes at about 9 a.m. and wants a breakfast of PBJ......oops, my son
used it up this morning making lunch for his house painting job (my son left
the house at 7). Pop tarts are on the menu.

We talk for several hours and I make him a meatloaf sandwich with catsup and
refill his water bottle (he drinks 3+ liters or water/day). He eats the
sandwich and I make him another meatloaf sandwich for lunch on the road.

He leaves prior to noon, going to meet up with his mom, dad and best friends
in Michigan. He will be there until Saturday 6-25 at which time he will
head back to base in NC.

He is expecting to be deployed with his special ops teams to Iraq sometime
in January, 2006.

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

I have known Steve since he was a baby and have been there throughout his
development.

I love Steve and wish him well with the remainder of his Special Ops
training......jumping (from airplanes) and SCUBA...I can only wish him God
Speed when he eventually is in harms way.

This is the second Marine we personally know....the other is the son of our
other best friends and has been in Iraq already for several months.

Despite your feelings about the war please keep all our men and women
serving in our Armed Forces in your prayers.