Semper fi

Before I get to the Disney part of out vacation I wanted to insert a short post to cover another important aspect of our trip.

Jared Sawyer is a good family friend and Kevin's best bud forever. While everyone else in their high school class was chillin' after graduation, Jared was getting ready to depart for Marine Boot Camp. Jared successfully completed some of the toughest training of earth. He is no longer a recruit, but a full-fledged Marine.

Jared is now at Camp Pendelton [located between Anaheim and San Diego] attending the U.S. Marine School of Infantry [SOI].

Boot Camp is over but SOI isn't any easier, even the parade ground is tough.

Even the camo camelbacks need rest.

Knowing we would be only an hour away from Camp Pendelton we arranged to pick up Jared Friday night when he was told Company A would get a couple days of liberty.

Things don't always go as planned for Marines, so flexibility is part of training.

Undeterred we went back Saturday morning. They still didn't get off as soon as planned, but this is how Jared responded when he saw me.

These two Marines are in Company A too. The one on the right is Kyler Adams from Payson, Utah. Like missionaries, Marines don't go alone. Kyler was the lucky one who was Jared's buddy and spend some time with the Stacey's this weekend.

Jared was happy to see us.

Company A also needed to get haircuts before Liberty began.

This is pre-cut.

Lest we forget why it's hard to be a Marine.

Finally, Disneyland for Jared and Kyler.

They actually did get there in the day, but this is waiting in line at the Rainforest Cafe.

When we dropped them off Sunday, we [and they] were relieved to be able to go to a halfway-house instead of going straight from Disneyland to Pendleton.

These are the Vigils. Jared and Kyler got to know the Vigil family during Boot Camp as they have a calling in the Serviceman's Ward. The have become the surrogate parents for these boys away from home.

The third Marine in the pic is Jared's regular 'Battle Buddy' whom I only know by his last name, Peterson.

Jared and Kyler, you made our vacation better.

Semper fi.