I have a granddaughter that graduated from bootcamp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. She graduated the 23rd, the day before Thanksgiving, but no one could be there to share that with her. That's not a big deal, most people don't have family at graduation anyway. Thing is, while in bootcamp, her younger brother, 17-year-old Matthew, was killed in a fiery auto accident along with 4 others. He was her half brother on her Mother's side and not my blood grandson. She left bootcamp to attend the funeral and, at first, wasn't going to return to the Navy. She was kind of blaming herself because she wasn't close by when it happened. She did decide to return and graduated with her company when she was supposed to. She called us on Thanksgiving from the airport. She had spent the last 12 hours there waiting to take a flight to Texas to attend "A School". I reminded her of the "USO" and she said she would be looking them up in Texas. She wasn't sure how far the base was from the airport and she had a few days before she needed to report. Those few days didn't give her enough time to come home and then go back. Her metal is getting tempered and tested early and I'm VERY proud of her.
Banking off a Northeast wind, sailin' on a summer breeze
Oh goodness! I better clear this up. He was her half-brother (same Mom) and not my grandson. I've known him since his birth and we always got him Christmas presents right along with our granddaughter and he called me Papa but we haven't seen him for a number of years. Nonetheless, we were all still shocked and heartbroken and burst into tears when we heard the news but he was not my blood grandson. Thank you all for your kind responses.
btw, her step brother, Michael, is presently at the Great Lakes Training Center. He graduates Dec. 29th. They were there at the same time but never saw each other. They were going to try and hook up at church services but it never happened.
Banking off a Northeast wind, sailin' on a summer breeze
Please tell her "Thank you" from Chug and I, we greatly appreciate everything your grand daughter is doing, and same goes for Michael, theirs is not an easy job, especially in this time and age! They are in our prayers to return safely, and soon! Red and Chug
Found my first gold for 2011!!!! One gold and diamond ring, and one 22 carat gold ring from Europe!!!!!
Yep, she has been briefed. She is out of boot camp and now at "A" School. The tough part is over for her. She is VERY smart but had to drop out of college due to lack of funds. Didn't want a huge college loan bill hanging over her head for years to come so she is earning it herself. Just hope she sticks with the game plan.
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Re: A very lonely Thanksgiving (PIC ADDED)
I'm sorry that she was unable to come home for Thanksgiving, we will keep her and your family in out prayers. Please give her a big Thank you for her service to our country. We can all sleep a little better tonight.
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Please tell her "Thank you" from Chug and I, we greatly appreciate everything your grand daughter is doing, and same goes for Michael, theirs is not an easy job, especially in this time and age! They are in our prayers to return safely, and soon! 
She is out of boot camp and now at "A" School. The tough part is over for her. She is VERY smart but had to drop out of college due to lack of funds. Didn't want a huge college loan bill hanging over her head for years to come so she is earning it herself. 
