It’s felt for a long time now like I have been dragging my feet, not really sure where things were going. The economy sucks, I fear for my career and livelihood on a daily basis, etc etc and so on.  Several things hit me tonight like a ton of bricks. Maybe the stars aligned, maybe it’s because I am about to be 36, who knows how these things happen.

As I sat there driving on the way home from the movie (more on the movie in a second) talking to my daughter, I realized that I don’t have anything to worry about. Well ok maybe we ALL need a little worry from time to time, but what will get me through this is the same thing that got me through boot camp at 18. Dedication.

How many people in the world can say they guided $30 million aircraft to the ground when the pilots themselves couldn’t see it? How many people have stood in the ops below tower when an entire family awaits their Marines, and it was YOU that guided their husbands, dads, brothers home in ungodly fog? (ask me the story, It still brings chills to tell it.) How many people have pinned on a set of dress blues and strutted across a parade deck to EARN the title Marine? Why do I give a DAMN what anyone thinks about me when I already proved it to myself in a lifetime; and I still have another one to go!

You see, no one is perfect, we all know that. But what I finally realized tonight was that it’s not how bad it can get, but HOW GOOD it will be. Sure there are people in the world that are idiots, morons, flat out crazy. Karma always hits them where the good lord split them.

Yeah I’ve had a LOT of jobs, some good; some bad. I’ve made some money, but this life isn’t supposed to be about how much material we have, but how we LIVE it. To quote the older man in the movie tonight, “it’s just a house.” I have the full quote in my kitchen on a plaque; “a house is just a house, but a family is a home.”

Why these things happen the way they do I have no idea. People much smarter then I are educated to explain them. lol But tonight I renewed my OWN life, and as a result my family’s as well; they’ll see it in coming days, months, years.

You see, I have my mom and dad, step dad and step mom to thank for getting me to 18. I have the Marines to thank for getting me and turning me into a SOLID adult. Now it’s my turn, and what in the WORLD have I been waiting for? Yeah, it’s time to rebuild me again and take me and anyone that wants to ride along into someone that will glow with pride, determination, and stamina to get it done!

As for the movie? Disney never ceases to amaze me. GO SEE IT. Sure, it’s a little animated kids film, but there is SO MUCH for adults there too; besides, dads, it gives YOU a chance to take your kids to spend some time! To quote it again, and you’ll know what I mean when you see it, one adventure has ended, and one is about to begin.

I took a little longer than average to get PAR, at 115 live approaches, but I got it. That secured me as a controller, but in the Marines you need more to advance. I quickly adapted and took on Flight Data, LOVED IT. I quickly got it and moved on. Next was Arrival….

Arrival is a pain in the a$$. It works you, if the approach controller screws up, you need to make him / her look good and FIX it. A flight of 3 or 4 comes in doing 250 knots, you split it and work it. Just how it is. Anyway too long a story shorter, this Sgt who will remain unnamed “canced” me; cancelled my training, said I could not do it.

Now, during your time as a student on ANY position, you are guaranteed a certain amount of time on “bugs” or simulated traffic, and live traffic; kinda like a 3 to 1 ratio but HOURS of training. And it’s supposed to be regular and continued. When the Sgt canc’ed me, I quietly, believe it or not, quietly brought it to the attention of the GySgt and civilians on the crew.

Well, Sgt shipped out, and unbeknownst to me, my Lt and Civilians went to work. they reviewed my jacket, and eventually called me into the office to talk and long story short again reinstated me. You can see the results of this on the page in AWARDS section, as my RATCF card is proudly displayed there.

Best for Last? YOU BET! Lt. Fitzgerald, wherever you are, I OWE YOU THE WORLD. You kept me a MARINE at 19 through 20 years old, and kept me moving metal. I dunno where I would be without you.  I know you left us for the Drill field, pinned on Capt, and I AM SURE MANY Marines owe their start to you now.

Mr Smith. I actually saw you years later in AmVets in Beaufort but I was too respectful to disturb dinner with your wife. You helped LT and I thank you also.

Morale of this story? Well, I respect both of these people more than anyone knows, but it was time to share the story. See, in my eyes and view of life, RESPECT IS EARNED, not guaranteed. I earned their respect and did what they granted me, and in return I respected THEM even more.

Semper Fi.