Our boy is now a Marine!

[James]

Our second oldest is on his way to boot camp, this has been alot harder than we expected. Maybe the fact that the oldest moved to Florida on the tenth and now the second oldest is on his way to San Diego has something to do with it? lol. We are extremely proud and happy but sad and anxious at the same time.

The reason for this post is this... I'm reaching out to inquire about his graduation, we have two younger children still at home that will be going with us, a 15 yr old boy and 9 yr old girl. We've never flown with Daniel before (the 15 yr old), he has arthrogryposis, a birth defect that results in missing muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fused joints. He can walk but cannot bend his legs, or use his arms/hands at all. Looking for advice on how to make sure he has a seat without another in front of him as he won't be able to sit in a regular seat. Also any advice on the whole graduation would be greatly appreciated. Very proud to be Marine Parent!!! OORAH!!! USMC!!!

 

[sean]

Can't help with flight information, but I can help with the local geography:
Miramar/San Diego, or Pendelton/Oceanside? They are about 45 minutes apart - sometimes more with traffic.

 

[James]

Pendelton is where his boot camp is. Sorry should've mentioned that, still a little frazzled lol.

 

[sean]

No worries! Congrats!

So Camp Pendelton is about halfway between SD Intl and John Wayne/Orange County-Santa Ana. This way you have more options to choose from

 

[James]

Thanks Sean! I thought SD Intl was the only option

 

[sean]

John Wayne is five minutes closer in 0 traffic!

Also, San Clemente is a nicer seaside town (closer to John Wayne) than Oceanside is. I never thought I would be advocating tourism in Orange County (we don't like "those guys" so much...) but I think you might want to look into it. If you REALLY wanted to spend your travel-dollars in San Diego County, I would suggest looking into hotels in Carlsbad, rather than Oceanside (unless you go the beachfront route, and then it doesn't matter).

PS: Just keep in mind, you can't smoke on most of the beaches (if any, at all).

 

[Agentskull]

Any idea which carrier your going to be flying on? It would be a start in finding who to get in contact with.

 

[Hoshneer]

Wow, congrats! Listen to Sean, he won't steer you wrong. At least not on purpose.

 

[Phillsl]

First off congratulations! Semper Fidelis! I went through Paris Island, so I can't help too much with graduation at Pendleton, but it's usually outside on the parade deck, so bleacher seating, depending on the weather, it might get moved to an inside venue. Here is the MCRD SD website for graduation, there's a lot of info here, I would also contact them and explain the circumstances of your sons disability and they will help you out with seating for the actual graduation. http://www.mccsmcrd.com/Graduation/index.html


iPhone5 from tapatalk sent was this.

 

[BesstR]

I went through MCRD San Diego. The graduation is in San Diego there should be a family day the Sunday before also. Go down there for the week if you can there is Sea World and the Zoo plus the beach. Semper Fi

 

[TonyRome]

Congrats !!

 

[11is1louder]

Congrats. My Dad is a retired Major with 26 years in the Marine Corps. He served in the first Desert Storm and then OIF in '03. He loves the Corps more than anything besides family. The USMC is rich in tradition and honor. I come from a family full of Marines, grandfather, father, uncles, and cousins. You should be very proud.

Semper Fi

 

[mcroom]

Congratulations brother! I am sure you are a proud parent.