Ricky in a box

Just received my son's effects, AKA "Ricky in a Box" as we called it in the day when I went to both boot camps in the USCG (1971) and USN (1981).  It is now called "Recruit in a Box", but just for old time's sake I like the "Ricky" because both my first son (Ben, submariner on the U.S.S. Seawolf) and I were called "Ricky Recruits".  We were also designated as "raisins" because if you went to boot camp in the winter your watch-caps (navy blue stocking caps) made your head with no hair look like a raisin head. This is always a hard day for my wife, she has done this a few times is saying goodby or giving her men over to the providence of God and the protection of the U.S. Navy again. My wife is now on the phone to another mother who has had her son inducted and is now training on Paris Island as a U.S. Marine. when I was an ASWAC with the navy I controlled many USMC piloted hilos. Ironically, when my wife and I were married at Kaneohe MCAS on Oahu in 1988, there was not so many tears.  We were younger and were looking forward.  I always advise parents now as I am a DAV Chaplain and vet to tell there spouses that to raise up a child to serve God and country (USA) has always been the most noblest of causes.  I always try to tell my wife, "You did a great job".  This is my second son. Many Blessings, Tom