Monica May

St Louis , MO

On a cold January Monday I got a call from my son Trevor, telling me that he was joining the Marines. This was not what I would have chosen for him and I was not a happy mama. Trevor has all kinds of things going for him...he is exceptionally bright, charming, great personality, a natural leader, and everybody loved him. He didn't "need" to join any service. He wasn't in trouble and he had the money, the support and the brains to go to college and do very well. In short, I thought he had made a big mistake. Knowing Trevor like I do, I knew he was set on this. He's a bit hard headed. I had to first get used to the idea that my son had made this choice. People told me to be proud of him...I was proud of him even before he signed up. He was a great kid! My next step was to learn more about his choice. I began reading everything I could get my hands on. I searched the internet. I read books. I found an online OpSec compliant message board community (MarineParents.com). I slowly came around to the idea that this might not be a mistake for him. He left for boot camp in July of 07. I stayed behind and was the dutiful mom, writing him nearly every day. He didn't write back much--4 letters in 13 weeks. It was hard but I had my friends online to help see me through. I volunteered for a care package project. I knew then that I had found a good place to be and that even though I was drafted, that I could do this. Trevor graduated boot camp in October 07. He went on to MOS training and C school. Trevor had a plan. He went reserve because he wanted to finish college. He wanted to be an officer and a pilot. But he wanted to be enlisted first. He leaves for OCS at the end of this month. Me, well, I turned into his biggest cheerleader and a huge fan of the Marine Corps. I just returned from a trip to Chicago for Marine Week with a bunch of my buddies, other Marine Moms, from around the country. These are people would have never entered my life if my son hadn't made his USMC choice. I've started a support group for Marine families in my area (Gateway Marine Families). We are involved in the community to show our support for the troops and we support our local USMC recruiters. We support each other. We help each other get through the rough spots and the fun stuff too. When Trev joined the Marine Corps, it certainly changed his life....but I had no idea that it would change mine so profoundly. I have people across the country, that are now my friends. I have a niche to volunteer in. I've learned to live in the now and cherish every moment. My life is better and much more fulfilling because my son is a US Marine!