Today is the day

[Chaz Riddle]

Today is the 25th anniversary of my graduation from Marine boot camp at Parris Island South Carolina. I remember the day well. It was overcast that morning and I had to walk down to one of the admin. offices to sign some paperwork that was waiting for me. My mom and dad had driven down to see the ceremony and I was dressed in my Class A uniform looking very squared away. One might expect this since I had graduated just an hour ago and my Senior Drill Instructor had made sure we all looked our best -spit shined shoes, fresh haircut, shined brass etc.etc. I looked awesome. As I was coming out of the offices, a sargeant that I had never seen before looked my way and before I could say anything he had already spoken. He said "Good morning Marine." I answered " Good morning Sir." He just smiled and kept about his business. One of the reasons he smiled was probably because he found it funny that I was so used to calling everyone sir that it just came automatic to respond that way. In the real life Marine Corps, I would only have to answer "Good morning Sargeant." Only officers were called sir (or maam) Anyway - that was a very proud day for me. I remember the feeling of respect and that I was now a real Marine. During my time in the Marines I traveled around the world and I met my future wife. In a few months we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. Since I left the Marines, I have gone to college, started a couple of businesses and my wife and I have two awesome kids. Lauren is my beautiful daughter and she gets straight A's. My son Brent is 220 pounds at 6 foot 2 and is bigger than me. Both our kids have really bright futures. I'll keep myself in shape so I can witness it all. Since the Marines, I have also been a Maryland state bodybuilding champ and competed on shows like American Gladiator and Fear Factor. These past 25 years have flown by. I wonder where I'll be and what I will have accomplished in the next 25 years. Hopefully I will have helped many people along the way and made many new friends.